Shalini Chuganee
Shalini “Shai C.” Chuganee is a life coach, psychotherapist, and emotional wellness expert whose work bridges evidence-based mental health practice with deeply intuitive, client-centered healing. A Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Intimacy Coach, and Marriage & Family Therapy practitioner, Shai has completed over 4,000 hours of clinical and coaching work specializing in trauma recovery, emotional intelligence, relationships, and high-impact personal development. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Sexology, expanding her expertise in relational and sexual well-being while continuing to guide clients through transformative emotional shifts. Her book, Love That Was Meant for Me, reflects her signature philosophy: healing begins when individuals learn to choose themselves with courage, compassion, and clarity. Shai’s academic and professional journey is grounded in a global and multidisciplinary foundation, beginning with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Monmouth University, followed by a master’s degree in Political Management from George Washington University. She later earned advanced clinical certifications from NYU and LIU Brooklyn, along with membership in the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy and the American Club of International Women. Her early experience as a staff intern at the United Nations shaped her lifelong commitment to advocacy, emotional literacy, and empowerment. Through her practice, Shai C Consultancy, she works with individuals, couples, and families to unlearn harmful patterns, build healthier emotional habits, and navigate challenges such as PTSD, perimenopause, and major life transitions. Alongside her clinical work, she is a dedicated mentor who has guided more than 500 young adults in confidence, communication, public speaking, and academic success. Whether she is supporting a client through trauma recovery or helping a student find their voice, Shai’s mission remains the same: to help people transform pain into power and live lives rooted in self-love, emotional awareness, and meaningful connection.
• Certified Intimacy Coach
• Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist
• Long Island University
• New York University
• The George Washington University- Master's
• Academic Excellence Award
• AAMFT
• American Club of International Women
• Indus international
• Philanthropy
• Vilunteering
• Victim support
• Workshops to help women empowerment
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ability to be intuitive and understand the needs and emotions of others.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always under commit and over deliver and never try to prove yourself. It is more important to state who you are and be authentic to your skill set and continue to grow through your professional experiences.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
There are two types of empathy when you consider being a mental health practitioner, one is effective and one is affective. Effective empathy processing is where you understand your client’s pain and you support them through the navigation and processing of it. Affective empathy is when you’re not only understand your client’s pain, but you make their pain your pain and this causes challenges in the navigation and processing of it. It is very important to have boundaries in your empathy as well and your empathetic skills.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is maintaining objectivity and ensuring I remain unbiased in every situation.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are valuing others and earning their respect, being honest, transparent, and accountable, while also enjoying writing, dancing, and traveling.