BA Psych (SW) (Stell), MSD (UP), NEC (UNISA),
AHS (UNISA), DPhil (Stell), PhD (NWU)

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A brief biography of Dr Tanya Marie Robinson

Dr Tanya Marie Robinson BA Psych (SW) (Stell), MSD (UP), NEC (UNISA), AHS (UNISA), DPhil (Stell), PhD (NWU) (Pr.0154326) is the director of The Practice, a private practice that has operated for the last twelve years. Dr Robinson specialises in the field of forensic and therapeutic service delivery and specialises in the field of divorce related matters, sexual abuse matters and specialised children’s assessments and psycho-therapy. Doctor Robinson exclusively focuses on these matters in the practice.

Doctor Robinson holds the following qualifications
BA Psych (SW) –University of Stellenbosch
Master Socialis Deligenta (MSD) –University of Pretoria
National Education Certificate (NEC) – Unisa
Advanced Human Sexual Health Certificates (AHS) – Unisa
Doctors in Philosophe (DPhill) – University of Stellenbosch
Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) – North West University

FURTHER DETAIL WITH REGARD TO QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED

BA Psych (SW) –University of Stellenbosch
Dr Robinson majored in psychology, sociology and social work at the University of Stellenbosch and graduated cum laude with a degree in social work. Dr Robinson obtained further knowledge in the field of psychology in completing an intensive one year course at UNISA and focused her studies specifically in the field of Abnormal Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology and Research Psychology.

Master Socialis Deligenta (MSD) –University of Pretoria
Dr Robinson completed a structured master’s programme in play and child psycho-social therapy at the University of Pretoria: Master Socialis Deligenta (MSD). This master’s degree programme 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. Dr Robinson in addition completed modules in health care and psychiatric social work. Her research master’s dissertation focused on the socio-emotional problems of young women related to sexual practices. Dr Robinson graduated cum laude at the University of Pretoria and obtained academic colours.

National Education Certificate (NEC) – Unisa
Dr Robinson diversified her knowledge and obtained a postgraduate National Education Certificate (NEC) at UNISA that specialised in Grade 6- Grade 12 teaching focussed specifically in life orientation. Dr Robinson has appeared at various schools to educate children with regards to the orientation to life. Dr Robinson aims to guide and equip learners for meaningful and successful living in a rapidly changing and transforming society. The focus therefore is on the development of self-in-society. Learners must find a place for themselves in a world increasingly different from that in which their parents lived. They should be able to develop a sense of confidence and competence in order to live well and contribute productively to shaping of a new society. The Life Orientation Learning Area develops skills, knowledge, values and attitudes that empower learners to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions regarding: Health promotion; Social development; Personal development; Physical development and movement and orientation to the world of work

Advanced Human Sexual Health Certificates (AHS) – Unisa
Dr Robinson specialized in human sexuality and did the introductory and advanced Human Sexology courses at UNISA. Tanya also completed numerous course materials in sexual related matters e.g. HIV/AIDS training; sexual abuse matters, sexual related practices at the Reproductive Health Centre in Sandton. Dr Robinson volunteered at this clinic for three years. Dr Robinson published her first book, When Sex Turns Sour, through Reach Publishing House.

Doctors in Philosophe (DPhill) – University of Stellenbosch
She completed her doctoral studies (DPhil) in 2005 at the University of Stellenbosch under the supervision of Prof. S Green. Dr Robinson is a leader in her industry with regard to sexual health and her research was selected to be published locally and internationally. Dr Robinson’s research was in addition published in a book, The Couple in an Unconsummated Marriage, through VDM Publishing House in Germany.

Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) – North West University
Dr Robinson completed a subsequent doctorate (PhD) in 2010 at the North-West University. This article-based doctorate focuses specifically on the field of forensic work with regard to training professionals in structuring parenting plans for divorcing families. Dr E Ryke, Dr C Wessels and Prof. L Stewart of the North West University, Potchefstroom Campus led the study.

EXPERIENCE
Dr Robinson has twelve years of experience in the field of social work, sociology, psychology and forensic service delivery. She has worked as a specialist in a therapeutic capacity and in forensic-related matters and with her academic and practical experience and achievements make her a leader in the industry. The main aim and objective in Dr Robinson’s practice is to promote the best interest of the child within complex family dynamics and in trauma related events. Within a therapeutic capacity Dr Robinson aims to empower the individual with psycho-therapeutic principles.

Dr Robinson has assisted numerous families in the past years with divorce related matters and sexual abuse cases and produced a number of high quality reports for the purpose of the court. Dr Robinson stands as expert witness in highly complicated cases in court proceedings.

Dr Robinson trained in forensic service delivery in South Africa and attends national and international congresses pertaining to the profession. She 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 on the following matters e.g. Mediation, forensic intervention facilitation, the Children’s Act, the assessment of children, contact schedules, parental responsibilities and rights. Dr Robinson heads research projects which concentrated on sexual victimisation and the sexual abuse of young children with a statutory focus.

She facilitates training for students and professionals working in the field of forensics. Dr Robinson has developed a training programme for professionals, e.g. social workers, psychologists and attorneys, to work in the field of forensic service delivery and in particular to structure parenting plans.

STANCE IN COMMUNITY
Doctor Robinson has been the director of a volunteer organisation, The Teddy Bear Foundation for the last six years. She has received numerous rewards for her stance in the community and has been nominated for Checkers Women of the Year 2010.

PROFFESIONAL REGISTRATION
Dr Robinson holds professional registration 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 that Dr Robinson abides to 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.

PUBLICATIONS
Dr Robinson is a published author of three books, two South African publications and one International Publication. She has written numerous broad-spectrum articles and academic articles that has been accepted and published in South African and international Journals.

Divorce: What about the children?
Published by Random House Struik 2009
ISBN 978-1-77007-768-3

When Sex Turns Sour
Published by Reach Publishers 2005
ISBN 1920084061

The Couple in an Unconsummated Marriage
Published by VDM Verlag 2010
ISBN 978-3-639-21896-1

Divorce Related Matters

Sexual Abuse Matters

Specialised Assessments of Children

DIVORCE RELATED MATTERS

Specialised assessments in divorce-related matters;
Pre-and-post divorce guidance;
Forensic investigations evaluating the best interest standard of children set out in accordance with the
Children’s Act;
Evaluation of parental rights and responsibilities and children’s contact schedules;
The structuring of parenting plans as stated in section 33 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005;
Mediating with divorcing couples;

SEXUAL ABUSE MATTERS

Forensic assessments pertaining to sexual abuse related matters.

SPECIALISED ASSESSMENTS OF
CHILDREN

Assessments focused on the functioning of the child on an emotional and psychological level. The exploration and assessment of family functioning, the child’s developmental position and how the child interacts on a socio-emotional level with regard to school/home. Scaling’s on the child’s interpersonal feelings and position with regards to the self/family members/school individuals.

Dr Robinson only takes in selective, specialized individual case matters with regard to psycho-pathology and uses psycho-behavioural therapeutic techniques when working with the client e.g. emotional distress regarding children and adults, family dynamic problems, general dysfunction within society, sexual related problems, couples and marital problems, anxiety and depression, addiction related problems.

DID YOU KNOW?

Divorce has become a common trend in our society and many children are annually exposed to the distress related to it. Disagreements on the subject of children and the upbringing of children post-divorce are understandably the cause of much anguish in divorce proceedings and the subject of some intense debates (De Broglio, 2006:1). The process of divorce is also a very emotional process, and decisions pertaining to children in particular can result in an intricate, explosive state of affairs. It is therefore often necessary to formalise a structure that explains in detail the responsibility of each parent to prevent further disagreement. This is reflected in disputes concerning children such as Fletcher v Fletcher 1984 1 SA 130 (A), Van der Linde v Van der Linde 1996 3 SA 509 (O) and Madiehe (born Ratlhogo) v Madiehe 1997 2 ALL SA 153 (B) (Currie & De Waal, 2005:617). This structure, also known as a “parenting plan”, is explicitly required as part of the divorce settlement and proceedings by the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 (hereafter Children’s Act). Both in the past and at present the child has not been prioritised when parents enter into divorce proceedings. There is a discrepancy between what the state attempts to facilitate, namely the protection of the children, and what happens in practice when professionals work with divorcing families. As a result, the best interest of child standard rarely receives proper attention and priority when the parents of the child decide to divorce. The provisions of the Constitution of Republic of South Africa, 1996 and especially the Children’s Act should be enforced rigidly to ensure that children receive the proper protection and prioritisation when professionals are required to draft, formulate and facilitate parenting plans.

LEGISTLATION AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTS PROTECTING
OUR CHILDREN:


CHILDREN’S ACT 38 OF 2005		CONSTITUTION

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD		AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS & WELFARE OF THE CHILD

DOCTORATE PUBLISHED RESEARCH:


A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE EXPERIENCES AND PERCEPTIONS OF THE COUPLE IN AN UNCONSUMMATED MARRIAGE		PARENTING PLAN: A SUBSTANTIVE GUIDELINE FOR PROFESSIONALS

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