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 designed to increase social and emotional skills, and 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, as well as individuals with psychosis and Multiple Sclerosis. She has worked at clinics focused on autism, including Minds and Hearts, where she also held a clinic management position. She has also been involved in running groups for young children with Asperger’s at the University of Queensland and administering cognitive assessments for children with ASD.
Jenni has worked 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 and social anxiety; depression disorders including bipolar disorder in adults; mood difficulties and emotional regulation; and psychosis spectrum conditions.
She has a special interest in anxiety, emotional regulation, trauma, OCD and early intervention for children, teens and adults. She teaches children, teens and adults emotional regulation tools for anger, anxiety, stress and depressive symptoms.
Jenni is trained in the assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of psychological disorders across the lifespan. Her practice is guided by evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions and EMDR. She is also influenced by attachment-based theories and 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)
- Australian Psychological Society (APS) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Practitioners List with Medicare
- EMDRAA Full Member (EMDRA Association Australia)
Qualifications & 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
- STAP accredited supervisor, providing supervision to Clinical Registrars, post-graduate students and 4+2 pathway psychologists
- 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
- CBT Anxiety, Beck Institute
- DBT and DBT Adolescents
- ADHD Certification
- ADOS-2 Training & Certificate, La Trobe University
- Trauma Focused ACT Certificate
- EMDR Basic Training and Advanced Modules
- Ross Greene: Collaborative & Proactive Solutions Approach
- Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Edition Accreditation Certificate
- MIGDAS-2 Online Workshop
Current Position & Experience
Jenni is Director and Clinical Psychologist at Brilliant Minds Psychology. She opened Brilliant Minds Psychology in August 2014. Her inspiration for the clinic’s name came from her interest in positive psychology, helping people flourish, and working with individuals on the autism spectrum who inspired her with their brilliance and unique ways of seeing the world.
Past work experience includes UQ Psychology Clinic, Child Youth Mental Health, PAH Hospital, Multiple Sclerosis Qld and Minds and Hearts.
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