Background

Hi, I’m Racheal Wallis—registered social worker (NZSWRB), and founder of Stronger Within.

Back in 2019, while living in California, I kept hearing parents say they were sending their tweens and teens to self-esteem classes… but the kids weren’t enjoying them. This didn’t match my own experience. Over the years, I’d run countless programmes as a social worker and school counsellor that young people loved—so much so that parents and teachers often told me their kids would come to school just for my class.

At the same time, my own family was entering the tween and teen years. My friends and I went looking for simple, practical resources we could use at home—but what we found felt too clinical or complicated, and not designed for everyday families.

I knew there had to be a better way 💛

With 20+ years of experience supporting families in London, Los Angeles, and New Zealand (and raising my own crew), I began creating workshops and fun, engaging tools that actually worked—resources that parents and young people could use together in everyday life.

Fast forward to today, Stronger Within has grown into a place where families and educators can find simple, effective strategies to help tweens and teens:

✨ Turn big emotions and anxiety into calm and confidence

✨ Build the skills to navigate friendships wisely—and choose friends who lift them up, not just popular, but kind

✨ Grow unshakable self-esteem and resilience that lasts

✨ Deepen the parent–child connection so home feels like a safe, supportive space

… equipping families with tools that create lasting change, not just quick fixes.

You don’t need a counselling degree to use these tools—just a willingness to show up.

Everything we create is designed with busy family life in mind: practical, engaging, and easy to weave into your everyday moments.

Because here’s what I know from both research and experience: when tweens and teens feel supported, heard, and valued at home, their resilience grows—and that confidence carries with them into adulthood.

At Stronger Within, we would love to walk alongside you. Whether you’re navigating friendship drama, big emotions, or the everyday rollercoaster of raising tweens and teens, you don’t have to do it alone.

💛 Here’s to raising resilient, kind, and confident young people—together, and having fun along the way.

Meet Racheal

Racheal Wallis is a practising registered Social Worker (NZSWRB) and Experienced Facilitator.

Over 20+ years she has worked with some of the world’s most vulnerable and privileged youth and families in New Zealand, London, and Los Angeles.

She has delivered programmes and workshops in schools, residential and community settings.

Her passion? Creating practical, engaging resources that empower tweens, teens, parents, and educators with the tools to handle big emotions and anxiety, build confidence, and navigate friendships—so families feel equipped to thrive through the tween and teenage years and beyond.

What We Offer

Engaging Resources – Available in both physical and downloadable formats to use at home or in the classroom.
Interactive Workshops – Tailored for tweens, teens, and parents to build practical skills in a supportive setting.
Online Courses – Self-paced learning designed to strengthen emotional resilience and connection at home.
Individual & Small Group Sessions – Personalised support for young people and their families.
Large Group Presentations & Keynote Speaking – Inspiring, insightful talks for schools, conferences, and community events.

Designed using a strength-based and solution-focused model, we are passionate about empowering participants to have fun learning skills to build strong social and emotional resilience skills to navigate the pre-teen and teenage years confidently and successfully.