About Mind in Balance

Mind in Balance journey began in 2013 due to the collective observation of partnership relations, colleagues, staff and clients within the Health and Social Care sector. Out of the observation there were common themes such as stress, work place conflict, disciplinary proceedings, anxiety, mild depression, long-term sickness and development of addictive behaviours.

It was through this experience Mind in Balance manifested. Our passion is to offer the opportunity for individuals to develop their authentic self, explore choices, make inform decision about their Well Being and take charge of their lives. Alongside this is the preventative work whereby Mind in Balance support young people in raising their awareness so that they can take charge of their lives now and cease the opportunity to know and grow themself.

The question you might be asking is why these three approaches? Mind in Balance believe that Counselling, Coaching and Mentoring are effective interventions in moving people through the different stages of their life journeys. We can passionately advocate this due to the staffs within Mind in Balance have had personal understanding and experience of these therapeutic interventions as well as the numerous national findings that supports our practice.

Within Mind in Balance we steer away from labelling and pigeon holing with words such as client, customers and candidates and embrace the individual/group or organisation with their uniqueness. Our rational for this is that when you access Mind in Balance we work towards you disrobing labels and embark on a journey of self-awareness, enlightenment and evolvement hence why we see those who access our service as ‘students of life’.

My training, work experience and any achievement

Annie – Mae Shaw

I have studied as a Counsellor and Personal Coach and have a genuine belief in people, their ability to work through life challenges and capability of achieving their desired outcomes, irrespective of what external behaviours they have learnt. This generates my energy and commitment to support life improvements and change as desired by an individual/collective.

I have over 20 years + experience of working and engaging with Families and individuals whose life has been impacted upon by the use/misuse of Drugs and or Alcohol.
I am a professional and self-motivated individual with extensive experience of working in the Voluntary sector; I possess a track record of representing organisations at a senior level and providing support to those in middle and senior management.

As a person I am open, straightforward, fun, engaging, warm and energetic.
My core values consist of having integrity, being honest, having humour in my life, maintaining the ability to empower myself and others, being able to trust, being creative, having the ability to love and be loved, being free spirited and to stay tuned with my spirituality. My life experiences, values and beliefs has carved the person I am today and continues to support the growth of who I strive to be.

Nevia Johnson

During my childhood growing up in Jamaica, I observed loss, trauma, migration, rape, murder and domestic violence to name a few. The lack of support and information created a ripple effect on families and friends that lead to mental illness, abandonment, isolation, imprisonment, violence, addiction and unwanted pregnancies.

My experience and the desire for change as well as my natural gift to engage and build confidence with those around me have been a major contribution to becoming a counsellor.

I have a degree in Integrative Counselling amongst other qualifications such as a diploma in counselling skills. From a theoretical perspective my knowledge range across a wide range of theories such as Psychodynamics, Psychoanalytic, Person Centered, Humanistic, Cognitive Behavioural Theory and Existentialism. Therefore, I am able to create services uniquely to your needs.

Over the years I have worked with individuals from various ethnic backgrounds with several different presenting issues. I have developed and facilitated several group programmes including community Rehabilitation programmes for Drugs and Alcohol services and 12 weeks programmes for General Anxiety Disorder. I have developed effective partnership relationships with many organisations and aided in more holistic care for individuals.

As an individual I am open minded, caring, non judgemental, empathetic, fun, honest, polite and warm hearted. I have a genuine interest in people. I believe that given the right information, environment and support; we all have to ability to grow and develop.

Further Information

Mind In Balance also offers Telephone Counselling