About Simon

Associate Professor Simon Knowles is a registered Clinical Psychologist and senior researcher based at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.

Qualifications: BA(Hons), Dip (Clinical hypnosis), MPsyc(Clinical), PhD.

MindOverGut Psychological Services website provides information and free online evidence-based psychological programs. These programs are developed by Simon, a leading expert in the area of Psychogastroenterology.

Since 2004, Simon has attained over AUD$5.9 million in competitive funding and published over 100 peer reviewed publications. Simon’s research is highly cited, with several publications in the top 10% of their field cited in the world. His research has been cited in several leading medical texts (e.g., DSM-5-TR, upcoming Rome-V text) and national and international treatment guides and standards for multiple gastrointestinal conditions. Simon has also co-edited four books, with the two most recent recognised as the leading handbooks for mental health professionals in pediatric and adult Psychogastroenterology.

Simon is an invited contributor to the Rome-V text and serves on multiple national and international peak bodies, including Crohn’s and Colitis Australia (CCA) Scientific, Medical and Quality of Care (SMQC) Advisory Committee, and Chair for Research Collaboration for the Rome Foundation Psychogastroenterology Group, promoting research and professional development in Psychogastroenterology.  He also leads the monthly Australian Rome Foundation Complex Psychogastroenterology case peer support group. 

Simon has extensive expertise in psychological interventions and trial design, having conducted and published multiple randomised controlled trials that have included face-to-face and online approaches using a range of psychological interventions (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Hypnosis, and Psychoeducation with cognitive strategies), across various chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, stroke, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, endometriosis, pelvic pain, knee/hip pain). 

As part of his passion for improving the lives of individuals living with gastrointestinal conditions, Associate Professor Knowles helped establish several psychology-focused gastroenterology clinics in Melbourne, including at St Vincent’s Hospital, The Alfred Hospital, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Associate Professor Knowles has conducted workshops and lectures throughout Australia in relation to the psychological impact of gastrointestinal conditions, the interplay between the brain gut-axis, and developing and implementing psychological-focused interventions for individuals living with gastrointestinal conditions.

In 2024, Simon setup and oversees a specialist Brain-Gut Psychological Service at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic. This innovative community-focused service provides low-cost evidence-based psychological interventions to help individuals living with comorbid gastrointestinal and mental health conditions.