After a Christian upbringing, Sandra attended Sydney University and studied education, philosophy and psychology, before going on to Post-Graduate studies at Sydney Teachers' College. Upon graduation, she initially taught at high schools, both in Australia and in the UK. Later she trained as a school counselor, as well as pursuing study in spiritual philosophies and practices including Meditation, Yoga and Tai Chi. In 1993, she and her husband, Ian, moved to San Francisco, California, where she studied and later professionally practiced various therapeutic modalities and psychological methods