I grew up in Brightwater, Nelson. I moved down to Christchurch to study at Teachers College in 2007 and left with a degree in primary school teaching. After meeting my husband Mitch Shaw, we got married in 2009. I have always been passionate about children and young people and volunteered as a youth leader for a number of years. It was inspiring to see the impact I could have into the hearts of the youth. This led me to begin my counselling training as I really wanted to help people make sense of their struggles in life and help them to overcome them. I am passionate about journeying with children and young people through the difficult times and helping them to see and have a brighter future.

I completed my counselling degree through Bethlehem Tertiary Institute and after 3 years was a qualified counsellor.