Prof Tanya Robinson
 

Professor Tanya Robinson is a highly experienced and compassionate mental health professional with over 20 years of dedicated practice in clinical mental health, psychoanalytical therapy, and trauma-informed care. As a registered mental health social worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), Tanya has worked extensively with individuals facing complex emotional challenges, trauma, and psychological distress across diverse settings. Tanya’s therapeutic approach integrates psychoanalysis, Schema Therapy, EMDR, and other focused psychological strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs. Her clinical work centres on supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, personality vulnerabilities, neurodivergence, and trauma-related conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). She brings a depth-oriented, relational perspective to therapy, creating a safe and empathetic space for healing and personal transformation. Tanya has extensive experience working with children and adolescents, using play therapy and creative psychoanalytical approaches to support emotional expression, identity development, and trauma recovery. Through symbolic play, storytelling, art, and metaphor, she helps children process complex feelings and experiences in a developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive way. Her work is especially effective in helping children navigate trauma, grief, attachment disruptions, and family conflict. With advanced training in trauma-informed practice and decades of experience working with vulnerable populations, Tanya offers particular expertise in supporting survivors of family and domestic violence, honour-based violence, and intergenerational trauma. She also works with neurodivergent individuals—including those with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences—providing tailored, inclusive therapeutic support that respects diverse cognitive and emotional experiences. Tanya works holistically with children, adolescents, and adults, including those navigating high-conflict family dynamics, court-involved matters, or life transitions affected by mental health difficulties. She also brings considerable experience from the intersection of mental health and the legal system. She conducts mental health assessments in both family law and criminal justice contexts, including pre-sentencing mental health reports, family and child impact assessments, and therapeutic interventions ordered by the Court. As an accredited mediator and registered Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) Practitioner, she supports clients through separation, parenting disputes, and complex relational conflict. A passionate advocate for children's participation in therapeutic and legal processes, Tanya is the creator of The Child’s Story Box—a culturally inclusive, child-focused assessment toolkit designed to help children express their experiences and be heard in decision-making processes. Tanya is a widely respected educator and thought leader in mental health and trauma recovery. She is the Course Director for a postgraduate certificate in Victimology and delivers national professional development through TATRA Training, focusing on complex trauma, high-conflict personalities, psychopathy, gaslighting, and therapeutic intervention. She is also a published author, with titles including The Silenced Child, The Symbol of No Escape, and Divorce – What About the Children? Her academic contributions span multiple universities, including appointments as Research Fellow, Associate Professor, and Honorary Professor in the fields of law, psychosocial science, and social work. Tanya holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, sociology, and social work, a postgraduate diploma in education, a Master's degree, and four PhDs across human behaviour, psychosocial legal science, forensic science, and criminal justice. Her work continues to shape practice across mental health, family law, and victim support systems—always with a focus on healing, justice, and human dignity.