Jacques Silva

Jacques Silva is an AASW social worker who supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma, anger and depression. He speaks English and Portuguese and brings five years of clinical experience in public mental health in Australia. Jacques aims to create a warm, respectful space where people can talk about what is worrying them. Jacques focuses on listening first to understand each person's story. He works collaboratively with clients to build strength and practical skills that help in everyday life. Sessions typically centre on understanding patterns, improving emotional regulation, and finding realistic steps forward. His style draws on trauma-informed care and strengths-based practice. He also uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address symptoms and improve coping. Jacques avoids jargon and keeps explanations straightforward so people know what to expect. People come to him for a range of concerns, including relationship strain, life transitions, low mood, and difficulties managing stress. He also supports those facing issues linked to adoption and foster care, attachment, autism and Asperger Syndrome, caregiver stress, and substance use. Jacques describes his work as collaborative and non-judgemental. He aims to help people feel heard and to develop strategies that fit their life. If you are feeling overwhelmed or stuck, he offers a calm space to start making change.

Approaches you may use in online sessions

Jacques works from trauma-informed care and strengths-based practice alongside evidence-based techniques. Trauma-informed care means recognising how past harm can affect feelings and behaviour and pacing work to avoid re-triggering distress. This helps people who find reminders of past events overwhelming or who have difficulty with emotional regulation.

Strengths-based practice focuses on identifying what already works for you and building on those strengths. That approach is useful for people wanting practical steps to manage stress, improve daily functioning and build confidence.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Jacques discusses goals and preferences with each person and together they choose techniques that match needs and pace. The plan can change as therapy progresses and new priorities emerge.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also suit people who prefer to work from a familiar setting or who need flexibility around work and family commitments.