Dr Tanya Robinson
Social Worker AMHSW, Psychodynamic Psychotherapist
The Therapy Room
Adelaide, SA 5000
In Person + Telehealth
Philosophy & Vision
At the Therapy Room, Tanya wants you to feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable. It is a welcoming and private space created in Adelaide's CBD that allows patients, especially our patients of tender years to share their story in confidence and get the help they need.
Tanya is a specialised Mental Health Social Work Practitioner registered with AASW, Psychodynamic Psychotherapist, and a specialist in child psychology.
Tanya adopts an honest and insightful approach to mental awareness and believes that continual growth occurs when creative and resilient thinking methods are adopted, allowing people to become change-makers in their own life.
Background
Tanya loves the helping profession as much as she loves academia. She has an immense passion for criminal justice and has often brought what remains unspoken to the foreground. She is passionate about empowering the voiceless and giving voice to the 'invisible person' through bringing knowledge and education to her audiences. This message is relayed in one of her books: The Silenced Child, Secrets & Lies. She is a true ambassador for education and strengthening resilience in the face of adversity. Over the past two decades, as an Extraordinary Professor and Honorary Research Fellow, Tanya has added significant value in her field of specialisation of forensic investigation and social and criminal science. Tanya moved to Australia in 2019 after living in Africa since childhood.
Services
Dr Tanya Robinson's framework of understanding is Psychoanalytic. Psychoanalysis focuses on gaining insight into your mental health and relationships through uncovering subconscious content and through experiencing how your internal and interpersonal issues resurface in the patient-therapist transference relationship. Dr Tanya Robinson's understanding of the human psyche has been influenced by the work of traditional and other more contemporary Psychoanalysts and specialist psychologists and social workers.
Quality Provision
At The Therapy Room, we prioritise the safety of our clients. When working with vulnerable population groups and tender-aged children, safety must at all times be prioritised and risk reduction strategies are promoted. We adhere to government safety checks and to professional guidelines governing safe practice protocols. The Therapy Room implements the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM).
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Ph.D. In Criminal Justice - 2021 - University of South Africa
- Ph.D In Social Work - 2015 - University of Cape Town
- Ph.D. In Social Work - 2011 - University of North West
- Ph.D. In Social Work - 2005 - University of Stellenbosch
- Masters Degree in Play Therapy - 2003 - University Of Pretoria
- BA (SW) - 2001 - University of Stellenbosch
Modalities
Attachment Theory - CBT - DBT - Gestalt - Internal Family Systems - Journal Therapy - Marriage and Family - Motivational Interviewing - Play Therapy - Psychodynamic - Psychosexual - Sand Tray - Solution Oriented - Systems Theory - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
Psychodynamic psychotherapy (insight-orientated therapy) is the interpretation of mental and emotional processes, and aims to address the foundation and formation of emotional processes. It allows people to gain insight into their lives and present-day problems. They also evaluate patterns developed over time. Life factors are reviewed with a person in therapy, exploring emotions, thoughts, early-life experiences, and beliefs. Recognising recurring patterns can help people see how they avoid distress or develop defence mechanisms to cope. This insight may allow them to begin changing those patterns. The therapeutic relationship is central to psychodynamic psychotherapy.
Professional Associations
- Australian Association of Social Workers
- Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abuse
Practice Locations
Epworth Building, Floor 3, Suite 319
33 Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Closest Parking to Epworth Building, 33 Pirie Street.
UPark Wyatt
18-34 Wyatt St, Adelaide SA 5000
Bus Stop
V2 King William St - West side Stop ID: 16287
Appointments
Appointments are available
between 10 AM - 3 PM
Monday - Friday.
Fees & Insurance
$150 - $250
Sliding scale in fees.
Student rates available.
Payment Options
Payment Links Provided.
Medicare claims on care plans.
Contact Tanya
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Tanya Robinson
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My experiences and childhood in Africa shaped my passion to help others and to work in the helping profession. I am an African-Australian mental health entrepreneurial woman. I aspire to take on every day with Passion, focussing on how to facilitate a sense of humble Humanity amongst people, and provide a sense of heritage in teaching Ubuntu (A person is a person through other people. I am because you are.) I promote a message of empowerment to promote dignity.
I have worked in some of the most perilous communities in Africa, managed soup kitchen projects for violated children and the homeless; led rehabilitative group work projects with sex and murder offenders in Maximum Facilities; written about forensic psychopathology within a criminal world; facilitated activist projects on counteracting gender-based violence projects for sex workers; developed preventative programs assisting women in communities against unconsummated marriages and female genital mutilation; directed gender-based violence and sex-trafficking advocacy work projects in vulnerable communities; lead research projects speaking to the topic of violent crimes committed against children, tackling hard topics such as child organ transportation, child brides, female and male circumcisions and gender-based violence practices. -
Psychodynamic psychotherapy resonates with me and has influenced my practice style. Psychodynamic psychotherapy (insight-orientated therapy) is the interpretation of mental and emotional processes and aims to address the foundation and formation of emotional processes.
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Areas of particular interest and expertise, both through practice and research, include:
Trauma. Complex Trauma. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Victimology. Sexual Abuse. Sexual Assault. Human trafficking. Domestic Violence. Adult survivors of childhood trauma and/or abuse. Divorce. Confidential Child-Inclusive Mediation. -
Psychodynamic therapy; DBT; CBT; Motivational Interviewing.
A bespoke tailored approach to psychoanalysis is a contemporary approach to working psychoanalytically. A deep love and respect of the history and tradition of psychoanalysis are tempered with an appreciation for the numerous evidence-based therapies that have been developed more recently. A child-focused approach is taken in all therapeutic work done with young people to provide children with a voice. -
Between 3 and 6 sessions a therapeutic relationship can be established.
Therapy is a journey and an individual experience to each person's needs.
There are many factors to consider when working with a client and determining a time frame for therapeutic support.
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I have dedicated the past twenty years to support people. I believe that a person's mental health should at all times be prioritised. I do believe I add value to my client's lives, however in return I learn from their experiences. Providing therapy is an enriching journey. Working for many years in the forensic space and returning to a more clinical and therapeutic setting provides me with additional skills as a practitioner. I provide a holistic understanding to clients and working with younger and more mature clients has been an enriching experience. Serving in the helping profession and providing assistance with mental health concerns remain to be a fulfilling profession and calling.
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I am passionate about helping people and providing them with insight into their problems. Making a difference in a person's life has allowed me to become a better person. Working with a diverse range of people from different backgrounds and cultures has been an enriching experience. Every day I look forward to going to my practice and working and supporting my clients brings me joy. To assist people going through trauma to fall forwards, to get up, and to find their joy and peace provides me with fulfillment. Working with gender-based violence and children that have gone through traumatic experiences has been an enriching journey. Providing a safe space for my clients is one of the most important practices at my practice.
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Absolutely. Life brings many challenges. I have faced many of my own adversities. I have many degrees that have armed me with much academic knowledge, but experiences and living life have given me much insight in helping those around me. A bad hair day is a part of being human.
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People live selfish lives and struggle to truly connect with each other. The violence in society has left many in distress and emotionally scarred. If people live more respectful and aware lives, the hurts in society will be lessened. People live past each other and do not make the needed time to support each other and listen to the needs of others. The world needs more kindness, support, and emotionally connected people.
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Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama authored the book JOY. I enjoyed the message in this book and feel inspired by the message of experiencing true joy and inner peace.
Ronni Kahn authored A Repurposed Life that also gave me hope and left me feeling that all is possible no matter the adversities you face.