I’m a parent just like you.

I was born in Samoa and grew up in a cross-cultural blended family in Aotearoa New Zealand. I’ve lived through a number of complex family dynamics including; child custody issues resulting in my father’s subsequent estrangement for many years, my step brother’s suicide, divorce, financial challenges, family addictions and mental health issues.

Experiencing parental loss around the same time that my son and daughter were born was a pivotal turning point for me. By this time, I’d been an English teacher for over 10 years and felt compelled to change course and find a deeper purpose. I began my journey to immerse myself in the lessons and principles of conscious parenting and emotional intelligence. I retrained in positive psychology and modern relational methods of communication and mindfulness. I’ve been on this path now for two decades and specialise in family and youth development, mediation and relationships in general. 

My background includes working for The Peace Foundation, Great Potentials Foundation, Greenlight Foundation and The Brainwave Trust as programme facilitator, teacher and coach. I’ve also worked with a wide range of schools, family and mental health services and youth initiatives in various learning and developmental environments. 

Human connection and well-being are the golden threads weaving through all of my work. My current focus is to encourage and help parents meet their child’s developmental needs while simultaneously raising their own emotional, social awareness and empathy. I am confident that I can help people access the right tools and resources to live happy, more connected and meaningful lives.

Every interaction with our child is a reflection of our own relationship with ourselves

- Dr Shefali Tsabary