2026 Availability for Speech and OT

dr. jennifer silva

Director and Founder of Brilliant Minds Psychology Clinic Psychologist
books closed for new clients

about dr. jenni

  • Dr. Jennifer Silva is a fully registered Clinical Psychologist. She has completed her EMDR Therapist Training through EMDR Association Australia. She attained her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Queensland and is a full member of the Australian Psychological Society. Jenni is also an Accredited Autism Provider. Her doctorate dissertation focused on a parent training intervention that was designed to increase social and emotional skills; and to reduce anxiety and behavioural difficulties in children with a high functioning autism spectrum condition between 8 to 12 years of age. Since completing her Doctorate, Jenni has worked predominately with individuals with autism spectrum conditions but also with individuals with psychosis and MS. Jenni has worked at clinics that focus on autism including Minds and Hearts, and also held clinic management position at minds and hearts. She has been involved in running groups for young children with Aspergers at the University of Queensland and also administering cognitive assessments for children with ASD.

  • Jenni has worked as a psychologist across a variety of settings including university psychology clinics, child, youth and adult out-patient settings, autism spectrum conditions and disability, specifically in the area of Multiple Sclerosis. Jenni has experience working with anxiety conditions (including OCD, Panic Disorders, Phobias, Separation Anxiety, Social Anxiety), depression disorders (including bipolar disorder in adults), mood difficulties and emotion regulation (depression, anger) and psychosis spectrum conditions. She has also taught undergraduate psychology students and lectured psychology students. She has a special interest in anxiety, emotional regulation, trauma, OCD and early intervention for children, teens and adults in order to help modify their developmental trajectories throughout the lifespan. She teaches children, teens and adults emotional regulation tools for anger, anxiety, stress &/or depressive symptoms.

  • Jenni is trained in the assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based treatments of psychological disorders across the lifespan. Jenni is guided by evidence based interventions including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Behaviour Therapy and mindfulness based interventions including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and EMDRA. Jenni is also influenced by attachment based theories in her psychological practice. Jenni has a special interest in autism, ADHD and anxiety.
  • Jenni has an interest in Psychodynamic therapy and attachment with children, teenagers and adults Memberships
  • - Registration with Psychology Board of Australia
  • - Endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist with Psychology Board of Australia
  • - Full Membership with Australia Psychological Society (MAPS)
  • - Member of College of Clinical Psychologists(CClin)
  • - Approved Supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
  • - Jenni is on the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Practitioners List with Medicare.
  • - EMDRAA Full Member (EMDRA Association Aus


  • My Qualifications & Ongoing Professional Development Training
  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DPsych), University of Queensland
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Class 1 Honours), Griffith University
  • Registered as an Autism Spectrum Provider with Medicare
  • Jenni is a STAP (Supervisor Training & Approval Program) accredited supervisor. Jenni provides supervision to Clinical Registrars, Post-graduate students and 4+2 pathway.
  • Certificate of Clinical Hypnosis 2018
  • Circle of Security Training (COS Facilitator)
  • Group Triple P & Stepping Stones Triple P Trained
  • Secret Agent Society (SAS)
  • ACT for Teens
  • Motivational Interviewin
  • CBT Anxiety Beck Institute
  • DBT and DBT Adolescents
  • ADHD Certification
  • Advances in the Management of ADHD: Evidence­Based Medications and Psychosocial Certificate
  • Treatments
  • Casual Guest Lecture at UQ: Topic Autism Spectrum Condition
  • ADOS-2 Training & Certificate La Trobe University
  • 3 Day Pre-Core Training ISTDP November 2021
  • 2 day WIAT-3 Master Class November 2021
  • ISTDP workshop Anger turned inwards, Jon Frederickson 24/11/21
  • Trauma Focused ACT - Certificate
  • Certificate in ADHD in Adults: Diagnosis, Impairments, and Long-Term Management, by Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., ABPP
  • BRIEF PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY AS AN INTEGRATED CLINICAL APPROACH ­ Integrating time­limited dynamic psychotherapy into existing clinical practice.
  • The Body Keeps the Score:Trauma, Attachment and Neuroscience with Bessel van der Kolk
  • EMDR Therapy Skills 1 with Dr. Jennifer Sweeden Clinical Psychologist -
  • EMDR Therapy Skills 2 with Dr. Jennfer Sweeden Clinical Psychologist
  • EMDR Therapy Skills 3 with Dr. Jennfer Sweeden Clinical Psychologist
  • EMDR Advanced Modules (4,5 and 6) with Jennifer Sweeden (Clinical Psychologist)
  • EMDR INSTITUTE (Australia and NZ): EMDR Basic Training, Weekend 1 (EMDR Therapist in training)
  • EMDR INSTITUTE: (Austrlia and NZ) EMDR Basic Training Weekend
  • EMDR for Attachment Injuries EMDR International Association
  • Ross Greene: Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Approach, Perth 2 days
  • APS Conference NZ May 2023
  • Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Edition: Australian and New Zealand Standardised Edition Accreditation Certificate
  • Neuropsychotherapy, EMDR and other Trauma interventions with Dr Jennifer Sweeton, 2 day training workshop
  • Experiential Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) Workshop (12.75 jhours) Presented b Richard C. Schwartz, PhD
  • 2024 - EMDRAA Full Member (50 Hours of Basic Training with EMDRA Association Australia)
  • MIGDAS-2 Online Workshop - Using the Adult MIGDAS-2: In-Person and Remote Applications with Marilyn J. Monteiro, Ph.D. Course Instructor
  • Current Clinical Psychologist Position:
  • Director & Clinical Psychologist at Brilliant Minds Psychology. I opened Brilliant Minds Psychology in August 2014. My inspiration for the clinic's name was due to my interest in positive psychology especially helping people to flourish and working with individuals on the autism spectrum that inspired me with their brilliance to look at the world in different & unique ways.
  • Past work experience: UQ Psychology Clinic (parent, child and adult clinics), Child Youth Mental Health, Yeronga, PAH Hospital (psychosis), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Qld, & Minds and Hearts (ASD Clinic).
publications
- Silva, J., Ownsworth, T., Fleming, J. & Shields, C. (2011). Enhanced appreciation of life following acquired brain injury: post-traumatic growth at six months post-discharge. Brain Impairment, 12, 93-104.​ - Sofronoff, Silva & Beaumont (2015). The Secret Agent Society Social-Emotional Skills Program for Children With a High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Parent-Directed Trial.. DOI: 10.1177/1088357615583467