Melanie Torkington bsw, eft, emdr
Kia ora.
I'm Mel, a clinical Social Worker and a qualified EFT and EMDR practitioner. I have worked therapeutically with people for over 15 years, both as a Social Worker, Therapist and Social Service Manager for 9 years, and in my previous career as business owner in the Wellbeing sector (Yoga Instructor / Wellbeing Coach / Natural Therapist at the Matakana Utopia studio). More recently I founded Te Waka Youth Services, to provide therapy and support interventions for at risk and in need young people, in North Rodney. Although specialized in trauma therapy, I have studied and practiced widely and due to the holistic nature of a sociological informed background, I am well versed with a huge spectrum of situations and intervention needs. I am passionate to use these highly researched and effective modalities, to integrate into effective and healing therapy sessions, that suit the needs of each individual. I am registered and monitored by the SWRB, a member of the ANZASW and attend regular professional supervision, as well as continual professional development trainings, to ensure I am practicing at the top of my game and accountable to the principles and ethics of a professional body. Since buying a home with my partner Chris, being a mum again (Kobe 2 and Bethany 18) I have found my interests have expanded to include a passion for working with adults, relationships, couples and parents, as well facilitating mediation for families or any pairs / groups that would benefit from improved communication, problem solving, team and relationship building. I really love to help people find that middle ground and way forward, that can be hard to grasp alone. This includes working with business's and organizations to improve team function and morale. If for any reason your needs lay outside of my scope, I will assist you with referring on to an appropriate professional or service where I can. Lets make a time, for you. |
It's not about being the expert. It's about facilitating a 'Time and Space', a conversation and an exploration of yourself, your environment and the interaction between the two, in which you, as the expert of your own life, are better able to find the path and solutions that work for you." |
Therapy and Social Work Qualifications
- Greif, Loss, Death, Dying and Self. 2022
- Healing Children through Art, Play and EMDR Therapy 2021
- Introduction to Accelerated Revolution Therapy 2021
- Creative Processing for Reflexive social workers 2021
- Sexual Violence Landscape - working with survivors 2019
- SAFE Network - Sexualised behaviors in youth and children 2019
- Member of ANZASW 2019
- Bicultural Conversations Workshop - AUT 2019
- Professional Supervision workshop - Massey 2019
- 'Give them cuddles' Social Work in Disaster Management 2019
- Registered Practitioner for Health West, WDHB 2019
- Narrative Therapy in Practice 2018
- Registration, Competency and Annual Practicing Certificate. 2017
- Wellness and Leadership training 2017
- Adolescent Mental Health 2017
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Therapy Certification 2017
- EMDR Child and Adolescent Certificate 2017
- First Aid Certificate 2017
- QPR training in Responding to Suicide Ideation 2016
- Treating Chronically Traumatized Children 2016
- Working Together for Vulnerable Kids, Child Matters 2016
- Parenting Challenging Children Workshop, Parenting Toolbox 2016
- DBT and Mindfulness for Low Mood, Anxiety and Compulsive Behaviors 2016
- Trauma-Informed Treatment and Service Delivery: Competence in Practice 2015
- Responding Safely to Sexual Abuse Disclosure & Preventative Discussions 2015
- Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Matters 2015
- Bachelor of Social Work. Award: Second Class Honours (Div 1)
Massey University 2014
- Childhood Grief and Loss Certificate 2014
- Management in Social Services 2014
- SAFE Network (treatment of harmful sexual behavior) Workshop 2013
- EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) level 3 Practitioner Certificate 2007
Wellness Qualifications
- Medical Acupuncture Certificate 2006
- Yoga Instructor Certificate 2005
- Massage Therapy Diploma 2002
Leadership and Management Qualifications
- Developing your social work career: Putting it on the supervision agenda 2022
- Supervision and Social Worker Wellbeing 2022
- Reflections on Stress and Pressure in Social Work: How we are doing today? 2022
- Celebrating the Importance of Social Work Supervision for Social Work,
Practitioners and their Practice. Full day seminar. Massey University. 2021
- Social Work Supervision and Field Education, AUT 2019
- Professional Supervision workshop - Massey 2019
- Business Management Cert. 2018
- Project Management Cert. 2018
- Wellness and Leadership training 2017
- Management in Social Services 2014
- Business Management Workshops series, IRD 2008
- Peer Support Leadership Certificate 1999
- Greif, Loss, Death, Dying and Self. 2022
- Healing Children through Art, Play and EMDR Therapy 2021
- Introduction to Accelerated Revolution Therapy 2021
- Creative Processing for Reflexive social workers 2021
- Sexual Violence Landscape - working with survivors 2019
- SAFE Network - Sexualised behaviors in youth and children 2019
- Member of ANZASW 2019
- Bicultural Conversations Workshop - AUT 2019
- Professional Supervision workshop - Massey 2019
- 'Give them cuddles' Social Work in Disaster Management 2019
- Registered Practitioner for Health West, WDHB 2019
- Narrative Therapy in Practice 2018
- Registration, Competency and Annual Practicing Certificate. 2017
- Wellness and Leadership training 2017
- Adolescent Mental Health 2017
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) Therapy Certification 2017
- EMDR Child and Adolescent Certificate 2017
- First Aid Certificate 2017
- QPR training in Responding to Suicide Ideation 2016
- Treating Chronically Traumatized Children 2016
- Working Together for Vulnerable Kids, Child Matters 2016
- Parenting Challenging Children Workshop, Parenting Toolbox 2016
- DBT and Mindfulness for Low Mood, Anxiety and Compulsive Behaviors 2016
- Trauma-Informed Treatment and Service Delivery: Competence in Practice 2015
- Responding Safely to Sexual Abuse Disclosure & Preventative Discussions 2015
- Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Matters 2015
- Bachelor of Social Work. Award: Second Class Honours (Div 1)
Massey University 2014
- Childhood Grief and Loss Certificate 2014
- Management in Social Services 2014
- SAFE Network (treatment of harmful sexual behavior) Workshop 2013
- EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) level 3 Practitioner Certificate 2007
Wellness Qualifications
- Medical Acupuncture Certificate 2006
- Yoga Instructor Certificate 2005
- Massage Therapy Diploma 2002
Leadership and Management Qualifications
- Developing your social work career: Putting it on the supervision agenda 2022
- Supervision and Social Worker Wellbeing 2022
- Reflections on Stress and Pressure in Social Work: How we are doing today? 2022
- Celebrating the Importance of Social Work Supervision for Social Work,
Practitioners and their Practice. Full day seminar. Massey University. 2021
- Social Work Supervision and Field Education, AUT 2019
- Professional Supervision workshop - Massey 2019
- Business Management Cert. 2018
- Project Management Cert. 2018
- Wellness and Leadership training 2017
- Management in Social Services 2014
- Business Management Workshops series, IRD 2008
- Peer Support Leadership Certificate 1999
For a more please view my Linked In profile here.