Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae Of Dr. Robinson

Dr. Tanya Marie Robinson (Pr.0154326) is the director of the Family Therapy Assessment Centre, a private practice that has operated for the last ten years and focus specifically on assessments, evaluations and intervention. The following services are provided at the practice: General school and child assessments and specialised assessments, investigation of sexual crimes, structured play therapy workshops, couples intervention program, divorce guidance, forensic investigation, evaluating the best interest of the minor child according to the Children’s Act, custody (rights and responsibilities) and visitation (contact) evaluations, structuring of parenting plans, and mediation between parents.

Tanya practiced as part of a multi-disciplinary team at Intercare Medical and Dental Centre in Fourways but has built a more specialised practice and in currently based in Dainfern Valley.

She frequently gives evidence in Court as an expert witness (Supreme Court, various regional and local Courts and Children’s Courts), and has served on panels convened by legal counsel. The main aim and objective within Robinson’s practice is to “give voice to the child” and to focus and promote the best interest of the child and to act on behalf of the child, not the parents, and to take “the child’s voice” to the parents or into court.

Dr. Robinson is a registered member with the Board of Healthcare Funders, SACSSP, and SAASWIPP. She is a member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) based in Switzerland. The constitution of the IFSW provides that the aims shall be to promote social work as a profession through international co-operation, especially regarding professional values, standards, ethics, human rights, recognition, training and working conditions. Tanya belonged to other related social work, sociology, and academic boards in the past associated with academic institutions such as The University of Pretoria and Stellenbosch University.
 

The "Voice" of a child The "voice" of the child is often dismissed or not being heard within difficult times. Our job is to represent the "voice" of the child when the child is unable to speak up or simply just not being heard by adults. In so many cases the child's needs, perception and interpretation of events are merely dismissed because it is only a child and what does a child know. However with experience I strongly believe that the only person that often speaks the truth and the whole truth about what is going on in a household is the child. Thus it is important for a child to be represented that their reality can be prioritised and their needs can be met by their parents. Cries of a Helpless Child by Aithne Etain Curled up crying on the floor wincing at the shadows please don't hurt me anymore Brightness fades to black all the pain that can't be seen trying to forget the sadness NO NO! I promise, she's never mean I never meant to make you mad Why I’m the problem, I’ll never know These bruises and scrapes will always heal Though the pain will never show Screaming from beyond the heart the monster that lives inside you'll never know how much I hurt to simply be alive © Family Friend Poems

Tanya has been involved in many charity organizations such as SAVE THE CHILDREN. She has, prior to being involved on a full time basis in her private practice, worked in the field of social welfare, done numerous case work studies, group work and community service projects e.g. established the day care nursery school in Cape Town for the underprivileged and sexually abused children (SAVV), facilitated food and play parcels for Witkoppen Clinic, facilitated group intervention programs at Malmesbury Prison, facilitated court work at the children's court in Cape Town for CMR.

Dr. Robinson obtained the following academic qualification at accredited Universities.

She majored in psychology and sociology at the University of Stellenbosch and graduated with a social work degree (cum laude): BA Psych (SW). Robinson did a refreshers course in 2008 at UNISA at the Psychology Department and focused on Abnormal psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology and Research Psychology.

She completed her structured Masters program in play and child psycho-social therapy at the University of Pretoria: Mater Socialis Deligenta (MSD). This master's degree program equips the social worker to understand the child client and to communicate in the best-known language for children, namely play, on their own developmental level. Play therapy is intended to help relieve the emotional distress of children through a variety of techniques and play materials. She completed the following modules of specialty, MWT 861 - Play Therapy 1: Approaches and developmental theories; the child client, child therapy and the therapeutic relationship; collaboration and multidisciplinary teams; play therapy techniques: awareness and contact. MWT 862 - Play Therapy 2: Statutory intervention and court work; the traumatised child in conflict with him/herself and with others; assessment in different contexts (e.g. therapeutic, forensic); drawing and music as projection techniques. MWT 863 - Play Therapy and Play Techniques: The process in play therapy with the child; projective techniques: sand, clay, hand- and finger puppets, sociodrama, biblioplay, fantasy and metaphor.

Tanya furthermore completed modules in health care and psychiatric social work and Robinson's research masters dissertation focused on the socio-emotional problems of young women related to sexual practices. She graduated cum laude at the University of Pretoria: Mater Socialis Deligenta (MSD).

Dr. Robinson diversified her knowledge and obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at UNISA: National Education Certificate (NEC). Robinson taught at Hoerskool Randburg and presented Life Orientation lectures at other neighbouring schools. Tanya has also taught at the Kyle Preparatory School in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.

She specialized in human sexuality and did the introductory and advanced Human Sexology courses at UNISA, (AHS). Tanya furthermore completed numerous course materials in HIV/AIDS training at the Reproductive Health Centre in Sandton. Dr. Robinson published her first book “When Sex Turns Sour” through Reach Publishing House.

She completed her doctoral studies (DPhil) in 2005 at the University of Stellenbosch under supervision of Prof. Green. Tanya trained in mediation and custody evaluations in South Africa and attends national and international congresses pertaining to the profession and furthermore attends and presents courses, workshops, seminars and discussions regarding the practices within her field of expertise. Dr. Robinson has attended numerous forensic training workshops and study groups and has received intensive training in mediation, forensic intervention facilitation, the children's act, the assessment of children, contact (visitation) responsibilities and rights (custody). Furthermore research projects have been facilitated by Dr. Robinson with regards to sexual abuse and victimization with a statutory focus.

Dr. Robinson is registered and is currently busy with her second doctorate (PhD) at the North-West University that is an article based doctorate that focuses specifically on the field of forensic work and investigation respecting custody (rights and responsibilities) and visitation (contact) and the best interest principle of the minor child.

Tanya is a published author with the latest publication being released in May 2009 “Divorce: What about the children?” published by Struik Publishers and has written numerous broad-spectrum articles and scientific articles.

She facilitates training and supervision for students and is involved in volunteer work and projects. Tanya has done numerous media appearances on television and radio and writes regular columns and articles for various magazines and newspapers regarding family systems and social health care.