Community Highlights: Meet Nema Saleem-Green of The Mindful Mix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nema Saleem-Green.  

Hi Nema, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I am currently licensed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Supervision Designation (LPCC-S), and a Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC), as well as a Group Fitness Instructor (GFI) through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). I have significant experience in the human service field. Most recently, I worked in community mental health, providing clinical counseling and art therapy services to individuals and groups. Currently, I work full-time in the non-profit field as a Program Manager at a prevention and educational enrichment agency in East Cleveland, OH. 

About 7 years ago, while I was working in community mental health, I started to notice that I wasn’t taking the best care of myself, I was feeling lethargic, and I wasn’t giving myself needed breaks. I began to really focus on me and my overall health by taking small steps such as not skipping meals in between clients, finding enjoyable physical movement after work, and creating better work/life boundaries. I started to find my passion by first practicing what I preach to others in taking care of myself, physically and mentally. My passion being, who takes care of the helpers in this world? We hear how much mental health care is needed in our communities (which is absolutely needed in and to be said of our communities), but not often enough do we hear about the realistic and achievable options for the helpers – the therapists, and heck ALL persons as we are all helpers. This is what I’m trying to create; rather, this is what I will share from the vision in my head of all that The Mindful Mix will become. 

Although Nema is a therapist, The Mindful Mix is not individual or group therapy for persons walking in the door. The Mindful Mix will not claim to cure your challenges with self-care; however, will this space invite you to support your overall wellness by tapping into various opportunities that connect to your inner self? Absolutely. This space will be for burnt-out therapists, therapists, all helping professionals, and any and ALL persons who want to focus on themselves, even just a little bit. Nema can be virtual, depending on the event. Nema is also mobile and is building on the notion of coming to you, if possible, to work with you or your organizations to build a different approach to self-care than most are used to (i.e., pizza parties or a thank you email are nice but more can be done to support burnout awareness for staff and even healthy activities for youth). 

You’ll see weekly cardio drumming classes as well as art classes (more information below and ongoing) as opportunities to support yourself in the brick-and-mortar space of The Mindful Mix that all persons, traditional “helpers” or not, are welcome to. Classes and workshops are currently held on weekday evenings and on the wknds. Individual opportunities for daytime options during the week can also be arranged. You’ll also see other modalities integrated on an ongoing or pop-up basis, such as: other fitness/movement-based classes, mental health events, and CEU opportunities. Additionally, and again, Nema is open for private events, leading staff wellness sessions either at an organization’s location or at The Mindful Mix space, and for all things relating to the inner self. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Learning the basics of how to run a business: the money, the rules, the taxes, and all logistics haha. I have worked on learning how to manage all of the responsibilities in my life so that I can do as much as I can without it being too much. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about The Mindful Mix?
Information in addition to what I shared earlier – I feel that every person deserves a chance to have their light and their passions to be seen. I value each person as who they are and encourage people to come as they authentically are. I am most proud of creating The Mindful Mix to be an open, inclusive, and inviting space for all persons to enjoy coming to. 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
You’ll see cardio drumming classes offered several times per week as well as various art based workshops provided as opportunities to support yourself in the brick-and-mortar space of The Mindful Mix. All persons, traditional “helpers” or not, are welcome to this space. In all that I have done, I have told myself as long as I am following my gut, I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. 

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/themindfulmix
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/themindfulmix216
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themindfulmix216/