Welcome to Embrace the Middle! Here’s a bit about me. I am a clinical psychologist, certified mindfulness meditation teacher, midlife researcher, and long-term Zen practitioner. I am a mother of two young-adult daughters, a wife, a care-giving daughter-in-law, and a community volunteer. And, I am a woman deep in her midlife journey.
My passion is to guide women to embrace - to gently lean into inevitable midlife changes, and to open up to the concurrent wisdom, opportunity, and power of these transformative decades. I have a strong pulse on the female midlife experience, based on my original research on 619 midlife women from around the world, which directs my work.
My approach is gentle yet powerful and I draw from both my clinical and Zen backgrounds. Whether I am leading a workshop, teaching meditation, or facilitating a retreat, I connect deeply and hold safe, supportive spaces. I would be honored to embrace the middle together.
If you're curious about the evolution of Embrace the Middle, read on...
Many years back, while in the throes of menopause and other physical challenges, I went through a midlife storm: I lost both of my parents, a beloved brother, and a spiritual teacher. In the same timeframe, my two daughters left the nest, my dog and I both necessitated knee surgery, and I left a successful career as a forensic psychologist and university teacher, to explore more heart-centered work.
Some of these changes were expected, while others were shocking. A few were by choice, though most were not. Over the course of those difficult years, I discovered that embracing these profound life changes was ultimately easier and more empowering than fighting against them. Drawing from my meditation experience, I used mindful presence and bounds of self-compassion to consciously walk through (not around) my hardships. To my surprise, my journey was more graceful than rocky, and I emerged stronger and more empowered than I could ever have envisioned. And, amidst it all, I discovered my next chapter: Embrace the Middle.
My midlife journey is far from over. And, with luck, I will have many decades beyond the middle. I intend to embrace every year, every hurdle, and every joyous experience with as much presence, compassion, and wisdom as I can muster. I would love for you to join me.
Thank you beautiful sister for such a magical gift of your day retreat yesterday 
🌟Your softness and compassion shone bright and transformation happened
I have found the workshops to be very insightful, and potentially transformative. It is a wonderful idea to have a workshop for women in similar places in their lives. It is beautifully lead by Shayna, who offers insight, guidance, and wisdom. I highly recommend these workshops!
Donna B.Thank you so much Shayna Gothard Kaufmann!!! What a wonderful, positive, encouraging, supportive and enlightening experience! All of what you were saying were things I definitely can relate to, and your facilitated exercise was so very valuable. Thank you for creating this for our community of women and beyond. You really are amazing and I admire you deeply!
Shannon W.Through her “Embracing” series, Shayna graciously extends her extensive knowledge, experience, insight, guidance, healing, zen-like leadership and obvious love for what she does with her fellow “middle” women. I gained significant insight about “me” in ways I hadn’t considered before, and that allowed me to begin a wonderful journey of much needed acceptance, forgiveness, healing and peace. I also gained a network of amazing, wonderful women! Thank you, Shayna. You are a trusted adviser and forever friend.
Kelly B.Ongoing growth and development is a huge priority in my life, but I was having a difficult time finding the right context for creating it. Within the confines of Shayna’s group I found camaraderie, laughter, fellowship, connectedness, a feeling of interpersonal relatedness, a sense of safety and mutual respect, and an overall feeling of being truly heard without judgement. I trust Shayna implicitly and in her group I always feel comfortable and safe; a nurturing space to reflect, engage in lively conversation, explore new options and possibilities, and find new ways of thinking about old challenges. I cannot think of a better person to facilitate personal growth and development workshops than Shayna Kaufmann.
Claire Y.