Torno Mediation & Mental Health Services

General information

Mediation Services

National statistics state that 50% of 1st marriages, 67% of 2nd marriages, and 74% of 3rd marriages end in divorce. It is estimated that 1 in 2 children will live in a single parent home during some point in their life. Divorce and sharing parenting time can be stressful on the parents and the children. It is important that families currently in this situation have a competent, confidential, and professional mediator to guide them to a Memorandum of Understanding that is agreeable to all parties involved and follows the South Dakota codified laws. I will assist the parents to focus on the best interest of their child during the mediation process to create a parenting plan agreeable to all parties involved.

Benefits of Mediation

• The cost of mediation is far less than litigation.

• You, as parents, know what is best for your children
and are your child’s best advocate.

• Being empowered to create a plan for your child assists
in minimizing future conflicts.

• Assists in promoting and maintaining the child’s
relationship with both parents.

Counseling Services

It is important for a counselor to build a rapport with each client, to assist them learning positive coping skills while addressing their core issues, and providing compassionate yet direct counseling. The counseling I provide is not “band aid” therapy, as the core issues that effect each client’s behavior, relationships, and self-concept need to be addressed while learning positive coping skills. Counseling is offered to individuals, couples, and families. Some areas of expertise are marriage & relationship counseling, sexual abuse, trauma & crisis situations, depression and anxiety, issues facing adolescents, and cutting & self-injurious behaviors.

Benefits of Counseling Services

• Developing healthy coping skills while working towards
resolving the underlying core issues.

• Assists in building and maintaining relationships with self and others.

• Promotes overall wellness.

About Melanie Torno

Melanie graduated from Black Hills State University in 2001 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Human Services and graduated from South Dakota State University in 2004 with a Masters of Science in Counseling and Human Resource Development. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), certified school counselor, certified mediator, certified divorce and custody mediator, and a sand tray play therapist. She has worked in trauma facilities, residential settings, and in a school district. She has been devoted to the human services field for the past 16 years.

“Along with my training in divorce and custody mediation, I have experienced all sides of a divorce and the mediation process. I have been the child in the middle, the mother on one side, and the stepmother observing my husband as the father on the other side. I do not have the belief that one gender of parents are better than the other or that all situations are the same. Each parenting plan needs to address the individual needs of the children and family involved. There is not a cookie cutter recipe for all families.” ~ Melanie Torno