Who we are

Balanced People Ltd., which includes Balanced Schools, was founded by Samantha Garner and Adam Latham.

Sam is a well-known in the Education Sector (Sam would say famous). Her use of humour and “tell-it-like-it-is” attitude is widely recognised and appreciated.

Sam has worked as a SENCo and provided specialist support for a wide range of alternative education settings.  She is a member of the Devon & Cornwall Branch of the Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH’s).

She is also a mental health practitioner and coach with accredited qualifications as:

• Counsellor
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
• Master Mindset Coach incorporating Confidence Life Coach, Emotional Intelligence Life Coach, CBT Cognitive Behavioural Life Coach Certification and REBT Mindset Life Coach

Sam has also completed, and continues to undertake, a wealth of accredited CPD training and direct experience supporting a wide range of areas including trauma and neurodiversity.

She is a published author with Routledge Press – “Mental Health in Education – Building Good foundations” – published in 2019.

She also has lived experience:

“I’m a fat confident middle-aged woman, with depression and alopecia which gives me a lot of lived experience as well!

I’m currently on my second marriage (keeping him on his toes!), and I have two daughters and one step-son.”

In her spare time, Sam has an alter-ego – Mrs Jones! She can be found occasionally performing around South Devon singing the best Soul & Motown from the 60’s & 70’s.

Adam also worked in the education sector at two local secondary schools, bringing his experience of the chemical industry to budding scientists.  But, being a computer nerd, his true love is working on his own in his office, with his flashing computers and many screens!  Adam is the technical wizard behind Balanced People Ltd.  In the summer he spends most weekends trying not to get injured playing cricket.

Sam is a mental health consultant with a variety of mental health and wellbeing qualifications.

She is passionate about simplifying mental health research and making support accessible for everyone.

As a fat, middle aged woman, she also has a lot of life experience and has ongoing lived experience of depression.

I’m Lauren, I’m a mentally ill girly who spends far too much time on TikTok.

I’m currently completing a Masters in Marketing and Digital Communications after previously working in Creative Media.

When I’m not stressing, I spend my spare time hanging out with my dog and reading.

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