Hello and Welcome

Everyone wants to be the best parent or teacher he/she can be but with all the demands of work and family life not everyone has the time to read all of the books out there on human development.

That's where I can help. My name is Sara Shaw and I am motivated by a passion for learning and improving people's lives. I have studied research spanning over 30 years and written numerous articles on social-emotional development. I am committed to helping children in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 in the San Francisco Bay Area thrive throughout life and achieve long lasting happiness.

My Consulting Philosophy

I assess the child's developmental needs and set goals in collaboration with the child and his/her parent(s). Interventions typically involve identifying thoughts that contribute to a problem and finding alternative perspectives, as well as identifying behaviors that reinforce maladaptive thoughts and formulating a behavioral plan. Additionally, I address underlying emotions to enhance the child's overall well-being.

It is important to understand children in the context of their school and home environments, therefore I am available to make classroom observations and meet regularly with teachers and parents. When consulting with teachers and parents they become more aware of how to facilitate children's overall development, as well as how to have more rewarding interactions.

Other Services

Parent/Teacher Workshops at schools

Topics include Positive Discipline, Child Development Stages, Adjusting to Divorce, Managing Challenging Behaviors, Disciplining Children without Feeling Guilty, Optimism, and Emotional Intelligence.

Outcome for Parents:

Renewed feelings of support and connection to child
Broader repertoire of responses to child's social-emotional needs
Increased understanding and appreciation of child's overall development

Outcome for School Staff:

Improved relationships and communication with students and families
Broader repertoire of responses to student's social-emotional needs
Increased sensitivity to role of cultural issues of staff, families, students

Peer Relations Groups

Everyone needs to belong and feel connected. A valuable part of children's education is their peer-network. I conduct socialization groups either at schools or in my office in Pacific Heights. The groups, which consist of two or three children, are arranged according to age- ages 5-7, ages 8-12, and ages 13-18. The groups are an engaging and interactive experience which allows children to create the ability to:

Effectively communicate and relate to others.
Experience an appreciation for their families and the people in their lives.
Deal effectively with peer pressure, making their own choices.
See rules and agreements as a way to have life work.

Generate courage, motivation, and integrity.
Know themselves as someone who makes a difference.
Be responsible in a way that empowers themselves and others.
Discover their limitless potential and increase feelings of self-worth.