We were lucky to catch up with Daniele Clarke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniele, thanks for joining us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

There’s a particular story that’s etched in my memory, one that highlights just how complex yet powerful our journey of growth can be.

A few years ago, I was working with a mother and her young daughter, Lily, who was struggling with severe anxiety. Lily’s anxiety would spike at seemingly small things—a new activity, a social situation, or even a change in her daily routine. Her mom was doing everything she could think of to help, trying to shield Lily from the triggers that would send her into a spiral of panic. She would step in, speak for her, and gently guide her out of uncomfortable situations, all to protect her.

However, the more Lily’s mom tried to help, the more withdrawn and anxious her daughter became. Watching was heartbreaking because I could see the love and good intentions behind every action. Lily’s mother wasn’t just trying to fix things—she was trying to give her daughter a sense of peace. But that peace wasn’t sticking.

One day, after a particularly tough session where Lily wouldn’t even make eye contact with me, her mom broke down and admitted, “I just want her to feel safe. But nothing I do works. I feel like I’m making it worse.”

That’s when we had a breakthrough moment together. I explained that by shielding Lily from the things that made her anxious, her mom was unintentionally feeding the anxiety monster, making it bigger and stronger. The real challenge was to let Lily face the things that scared her in small, manageable steps. She needed to see that she could handle the discomfort and that anxiety, while intense, didn’t have to be all-powerful.
It was a difficult shift for the mother to stop protecting Lily in the ways she always had. But she did it. Slowly, she started encouraging her daughter to engage with her fears instead of avoiding them. At first, it was just little things—allowing her to order her own food at a restaurant or try a new hobby even if she seemed nervous. They were baby steps, but each one made Lily a little braver and, over time, a little more confident.
The heartwarming moment came a few months later when Lily walked into my office alone, sat across from me, and looked me straight in the eye. “I’m okay now,” she said. “I still get nervous, but know I can handle it.”

Her mom teared up, and so did I. It was more than just Lily finding her voice. It was a testament to how powerful it is when we stop fighting to fix our kids’ struggles and instead stand beside them as they find their own strength.

I think this story resonates with me because I was once caught in the loop of trying to control and contain what made me uncomfortable—believing that if I shielded myself from pain or uncertainty, I’d find peace. But real peace, I realized, comes when we face the discomfort, embrace the unknown, and trust ourselves enough to step forward even when our hands are shaking.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a registered psychologist, founder of Superpower Kids, and author of the award-winning book Unleash, I’ve dedicated my career to supporting children’s emotional growth and resilience. My mission is to provide parents, educators, and mental health professionals with practical strategies and resources to guide children toward a healthier and more hopeful future.

My journey began in Brazil, where I started working in private practice, focusing on family dynamics and children’s mental health. But my move to Australia in 2005 became a turning point in my career. Engaging with diverse families, I gained a deeper insight into children’s emotional struggles across various cultural backgrounds, further fueling my desire to make a difference.

This experience inspired me to create an accessible, growth-focused program. The result was Superpower Kids—a platform designed to deliver social-emotional learning tools to thousands of children in Australia and worldwide. Superpower Kids represents my commitment to improving children’s lives through innovative and engaging educational resources, aiming to inspire and equip every child to thrive emotionally.

Driven by my commitment to the community and family, I authored my most recent award-winning book, Unleash. This interactive journal offers children practical tools to overcome anxiety and achieve their dreams.
My work is motivated by a profoundly personal experience. Watching my daughter struggle with anxiety and see her vibrant potential limited by overpowering emotions was incredibly difficult. My personal experience, combined with my professional expertise, became the foundation of Unleash. More than just a book, it’s a heartfelt effort to empower children to understand and manage their emotions, unlocking their true potential.

Today, I continue to share my expertise through writing and speaking engagements. As a regular contributor to online and print media, I strive to raise awareness about children’s emotional health. I live in Brisbane, Australia, with my husband and two children. Whether through Unleash or Superpower Kids, my goal is to transform emotional challenges into stepping stones, helping children turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, I believe that success in any field comes down to mastering the ABCs—not just for professional growth but also for personal fulfilment. Just like learning the alphabet is fundamental for a child to begin reading and exploring the world of language, these ABCs are the foundation for navigating and thriving in any endeavour.

A is for Adaptable. Just as children must learn to recognise letters in different contexts, being adaptable means embracing change and being flexible enough to adjust your approach when new challenges arise. It’s about recognising that every situation is unique and requires creative solutions.

B is for Brave. Learning any task can initially feel daunting—there are stumbles and hesitations. But bravery isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to step forward even when uncertain. In any field, bravery means taking risks, making decisions without having all the answers, and trusting your ability to handle the outcome.

C is for Curious. Curiosity fuels learning and growth, just like a child’s endless questions help them piece together the world around them. Staying curious means constantly seeking to understand more, asking the “why” and “how” behind the things you encounter, and never settling for surface-level knowledge.

So, whether it’s psychology, business, or any other field, mastering your ABCs—Adaptable, Brave, and Curious—will build a solid foundation for success and keep you moving forward, no matter the obstacles you face.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the most challenging lessons I had to unlearn was the pursuit of perfection. Growing up, my mother was the principal of my school, and she held me to incredibly high standards—anything less than perfect wasn’t acceptable. This pressure to be the “perfect child” defined my entire childhood. I became so accustomed to striving for perfection that anything less felt like failure.

While that mindset pushed me to excel academically and meet external expectations, it had a darker side. As an adult, that same drive for perfection translated into crippling anxiety. When I started my business, I couldn’t get things off the ground because I was constantly tweaking, adjusting, and second-guessing every little detail. I never thought my work was “perfect enough” to be shared, so I kept holding myself back, stuck in a state of paralysis.

I had to unlearn that perfection was the standard and redefine success for myself. I learned that striving for progress and growth was far more valuable than striving for perfection. Getting comfortable with the idea that “done” is better than “perfect” was the turning point for my business and, honestly, for my life. Letting go of perfection was freeing, and it finally allowed me to step into the world with confidence, share my work, and make the impact I’d always dreamed of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.superpowerkids.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniele.clarke/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesuperpowerkids
• Twitter: https://x.com/superpower_kids