Build a JOYFUL life on your own terms.
Supporting everyone including neurodivergent, LGBTIQA+ and gender divergent
adults, teens, and children.
About Diversity Psychology Centre
Our Values
Our Community
Our Approach
At Diversity Psychology Centre, Dani acknowledges and understands the systemic issues facing people who fall into one or more minority groups. Their work is informed by human rights, anti-oppression and de-colonisation practices. They value and celebrate neurological, physical, spiritual, and cultural diversity in all it's forms.
Our Approach
Our Community
Our Approach
They take a holistic approach to therapy, considering the physical, emotional, and social factors that can impact mental health. Their goal is to help people develop understanding, acceptance and compassion for themselves and others, and the skills and tools to build a life that works for them.
Our Community
Our Community
Our Community
Diversity Psychology acknowledges the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we live and work. Dani also lives within and works to support the neurodiversity, Autism, ADHD, AuDHD, LGBTIQA+, and other intersecting communities.
Memberships and Affliations
About our psychologist - Dani Croaker
Their Services
Their Expertise
Their Expertise
Dani is a late-diagnosed AuDHD person. They offer a sex positive authentic and affirming lived-experience perspective to support the diverse needs of clients and community. Services include individual therapy, and parent support therapy. They are also available to consult with government and businesses regarding inclusion, access and support for LGBTIQA+, and Autistic, ADHD and other neurodivergent people.
Their Expertise
Their Expertise
Their Expertise
Dani has specialized training in a variety of areas, including neurodivergent affirming care, trauma-informed care and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and LGBTQ+ issues. They are committed to providing inclusive and affirming care to all of our clients.
Dani has a Masters in Educational and Developmental Psychology, a certificate in Gestalt psychotherapy from Peru, and a Graduate Diploma in International and Community Development. They have conducted research investigating the use of positive emotions by autistic tertiary students and the impact of Autistic Space on autistic adults. They are a full member of the League Of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues (LOAPAC) , Australian Psychology Society (APS), Australian Association of Psychologists I,nc. (AAPI), EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA), and Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH), They are also currently a full committee member of the Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Group for the City of Casey.
Healing Through Connection
Anxiety/Depression
Dani employs effective, evidence-based approaches individually structured to help you manage anxiety and depression. Through personalized therapy we help you understand and develop compassion for yourself along with co-creating coping strategies, challenging negative patterns, and building lasting well-being.
Clarity and direction
Dani works to help you gain clarity on your life goals, direction, and core values. Through thoughtful exploration and practical strategies, we guide you toward greater self-awareness, and self-compassion to build a fulfilling life.
Grief and Loss - including diagnosis and chronic illness
Dani helps clients process the emotional pain of losing a loved one or experiencing other significant losses, including the loss often felt after a diagnosis. We provide clients with a supportive and compassionate space to express their feelings and work through the grieving process.
WPATH Assesssments
Dani provides a safe, supportive, and sex-positive space for Trans individuals to explore the unique challenges they face. We work with clients on WPATH assessments to support gender-affirming medical health care.
Parenting Support
Dani's parenting support sessions provide parents with the understanding, tools and strategies to help them navigate the challenges of raising Autistic, AuDHD, and ADHD children and teens of all genders or sexual orientations. They help parents understand their children/teenager's behaviour, how to best communicate with their child/teen, and how to help their child/teen be calmer and happier.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness can have a deep and lasting impact on your emotions, thought patterns, and physical health. Dani helps clients understand and use mindfulness tools and techniques in a way that works for them.
Trauma
Traumatic experiences can significantly impact various aspects of life. PTSD, often stemming from a single traumatic event, can lead to intrusive memories, avoidance behaviours, negative changes in mood and cognition, and alterations in arousal and reactivity, such as hypervigilance or exaggerated startle responses. These symptoms can disrupt relationships, work, and overall well-being. CPTSD, arising from prolonged or repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse, shares similar symptoms with PTSD but also includes difficulties in emotional regulation, distorted self-perception (feelings of worthlessness or shame), and relationship problems.
Understanding your neuro and/or gender -divergent self
Self Understanding, acceptance and compassion - self-exploration and growth.
- Personalized Insight: Working with a neurodivergent (AuDHD) professional who understands the intricacies of neurodivergence from a lived experience perspective, you can explore how your unique brain and body influence your thinking, emotions, behaviours, and relationships.
- Effective Coping Strategies: Learn practical, science-backed tools tailored to your individual needs, whether for managing sensory overload, improving focus, or navigating social and work environments.
- Empowerment Through Understanding: Build a deeper sense of self-awareness, self-compassion and self-acceptance as you learn how to work with your neurodivergent strengths to create a great life on your own terms!
Dani's work in the community
Autism Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Dani is interviewed as part of a large research study into the experiences of late diagnosed autistic people.
Autism Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Through their association with Autism CRC and via the Autistic health professionals and researchers online discussion Dani contributed to the development of the National Autism Strategy.
Autism Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Dani presented her Autistic Space research as part of the Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Conference Australia 2025
Autism Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Dani participated in a panel on Autistic Pride Day 2024.
Autism Advocacy
Disaiblity Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Through their association with Autism CRC Dani contributed to the co-design and development of the Autism Health Roadmap.
Autism Advocacy
Disaiblity Advocacy
Autism Advocacy
Dani presented as part of the Reframing Autism Community Summit panel on Sensory Experiences.
Autism Research
Disaiblity Advocacy
Disaiblity Advocacy
Dani supervised by Dr Nerelie Freeman presented a poster of their thesis at the International Society for Autism Research Symposium in Melbourne 2024. The qualitative research exploring the impact participation in autistic space has had on Australian autistic adults. Includes themes detailing positive impacts on wellbeing, communication, safety, interests, sensory needs, sense of connection and belonging, and sense of self. --- You can download the poster in the Downloads section below.
Disaiblity Advocacy
Disaiblity Advocacy
Disaiblity Advocacy
Dani and the Disability Inclusion and Access Group at the City of Casey discuss what disability inclusion and access means to them.