Meet Shayna: Psychologist, Meditation Teacher, Midlife Woman
Hi, I’m Dr. Shayna Kaufmann—clinical psychologist, author, certified mindfulness meditation teacher, and founder of Embrace the Middle. I’m also a wife, mother to two young-adult daughters, caregiving daughter-in-law, and devoted human to a high-maintenance dog. But most of all, I’m a woman deeply immersed in my own midlife journey.
Like so many women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, I’m learning to navigate the challenges, beauty, and complexity of this life stage with as much presence and grace as I can. I learned first-hand that we cannot control most of the challenges we will face. We can, however, choose how we manage them. The path I chose is one of gentle acceptance, of embracing. If you’re curious about this approach to navigating the middle, I’d love to show you the way.
The Story Behind Embrace the Middle
A few years ago, a series of events rocked my world - and not in a good way.
While trying to deal with menopause and some physical issues, I experienced a quick succession of profound losses: both of my parents, a brother, and my long-term spiritual teacher. At the same time, my daughters left for University and I left a successful, decades-long career in forensic psychology and academia, without knowing exactly what was next.
It was a season of reckoning, grief, and transformation. And, it was ultimately some of my most empowering years.
Through the practices of mindfulness, self-compassion, and deep inner listening, I stopped resisting the inevitable changes and began to meet them with open-hearted presence. Slowly, a new path revealed itself. As I moved through (not around) these profound transitions, Embrace the Middle emerged—not only as my path, but as a way to guide other women through midlife with presence, compassion, and grace.
Supporting Women Through the Middle
Today, I support women in midlife—typically in their 40s, 50s, and 60s—who are navigating change, seeking clarity, or simply yearning to feel more connected to themselves again.
Through retreats, workshops, weekly meditation groups, and one-on-one sessions, I create warm, grounded spaces where women can reconnect with their inner wisdom, process what’s shifting, and move forward with authenticity and power.
My approach blends clinical depth, decades of Zen practice, and insights from my original research with over 600 midlife women from around the world. It’s gentle, spacious, and deeply human.
If this sounds intriguing, I would love for you to join me on this path.
Thank you, Shayna! Your groups are always amazing and have a high rate of return on value and worth when the time, energy and vulnerability is invested!
Angela B.Shayna holds space in the most loving and effective way. Her workshops are full of great information that allows one to step inside with full authenticity while being held with the felt sense of love and acceptance. I walked away with insight that continues to feed and fuel me everyday.
Elizabeth S.This was a profoundly powerful day. The location, the greeting, the content, and the exercises allowed for a beautiful ease and flow of a remarkable experience. Shayna has a keen ability to hold space and create a nurturing environment where everyone can interact and share freely…or not.
Christine B.Shayna’s workshop completely changed the way I think about my life—from blah and overwhelmed to YES!” Her SOFTT model is like giving myself a hug. Shayna’s daylong workshop literally transformed the way I process all that we, as midlife women, experience.
AnonymousThank 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.