"The programme is a solution-based way of resolving behavioural problems," she said.
Stanley trained as a clinical psychologist at the University of Waikato in the early 1980s and worked in Hamilton and Levin before taking a 12-year break to raise her four sons.
After she and her husband moved to Tauranga in 2000, Stanley joined the Education Ministry's Special Education Service Early Invention Team.
The role led her to discover The Incredible Years programme, which was developed by American educator Dr Carolyn Webster-Stratton, and in 2003 Stanley began leading groups of parents.
Armed with positive results, she persuaded the ministry that more staff should be trained to teach the programme nationwide.
Today, more than 20,000 parents and 13,000 teachers have accessed the programme.
A humble Stanley said she wanted to pay tribute to local clinical psychologist Dr Dianne Lees, who introduced her to The Incredible Years and with whom she worked closely.
"Obviously, it's very exciting to receive this honour. But I want to acknowledge my local colleagues, and the wonderful caregivers and educators, as the success of the programme in Tauranga has been a big team effort."