Tanya is a registered psychologist with over 20 years experience working in community health as a counselor, senior clinician, manager and clinical supervisor. She has worked in the public health care sector, private practice and in academia. After having practiced as a generalist psychologist for many years, she completed her Master’s in Clinical Psychology in 2018.
Tanya has been involved in leadership roles within the Victorian Drug and Alcohol Sector as one of the first members of the AOD Change Agent Network. During her involvement she contributed to establishing a Community of Practice in which people were committed to influencing positive systems change, promoting growth and leadership in the AOD sector. She also gives community talks on improving conversations around substance use, having presented for local community groups such as Rotary, Medicare Local, Victoria Police and child and family services.
Tanya has a range of interest areas in addition to addiction including; eating disorders, body image and body kindness, she also a strong advocate of the Health at Every Size® approach. Tanya is also interested in helping people to manage mental health and concurrent chronic health conditions, rehabilitation and positive psychology for wellness.
Having competed at an elite level from 1994-2010 as a member of the Australian Karate Team, Tanya also has a keen interest in women in leadership, supporting organizational change, athlete welfare and sport performance.
Tanya joined the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers after participating in the first TNT for the Oceania region, held in Melbourne in 2015. Tanya is passionate about the delivery of ethical and client centered standards of care. Her work aims towards supporting professionals to get the best out of their conversations with clients, to promote positive therapeutic experiences.
Tanya currently works in a private psychology practice in Melbourne, Australia part time, and works as an academic at LaTrobe University where she specialises in teaching Nutrition Counselling, Professional Communication Skills and Health Promotion.
I love my work both in the therapy room and the training room. When training MI my mission is to help people contact their own sense of wisdom and unconver new insights within a supportive environment. I bring a sense of curiosity, support and gentle humour to the challenges of being human as we cultivate our best version of being a 'helper.'
