Mission Statement

To awaken and elevate the internal wisdom of agency professionals, equipping them to lead with compassion, integrity, and purpose. The Up-Ward Shift, LLC (TUWS) is committed to reshaping workplace culture by integrating behavioral insight and mental health awareness—empowering leaders to support individuals silently navigating emotional hurdles

Vision Statement

To cultivate a workplace landscape where leadership is rooted in empathy, mental wellness is prioritized, and every individual is seen, heard, and valued.

Core Values

Acronym: T.U.W.S.

TUWS Consultant Helping You to Achieve Goal

A Consultant Firm. The Up-Ward Shift (TUWS) is a leadership and behavioral wellness consulting firm that partners with nonprofit, for-profit, and faith-based organizations to build emotionally intelligent workplaces rooted in purpose, empathy, and transformation.

Services We offer

Welcome to The Up-Ward Shift (TUWS)

At TUWS, we help organizations grow by developing stronger leaders and creating healthier work environments. We help leaders understand how to support their teams and create spaces where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered. Our services are focused on making sure your team works well together and feel supported in both their professional and personal lives.

Whether you run a nonprofit, a business, or a church, we help you make sure your organization has a clear plan to reach its goals. We focus on creating a positive culture that supports everyone, ensuring that your organization works better and grows.

Therapist Support During Sessions

During each session, a therapist will be available to support any team member who needs it. If someone has a moment where they feel overwhelmed or need to talk, the therapist steps in to help them regain clarity. This ensures that the team can keep moving forward without distractions, and that the person is supported until they are ready to rejoin the group and participate and play their part.

Why Choose TUWS?

Transformational Leadership Development: We help leaders learn how to motivate, inspire, and guide their teams with understanding.
Mental Health Awareness: We show leaders how to take care of their team's mental health and create a safe, supportive environment.
Tailored Solutions: Every organization is different, and we create plans that are unique to your needs.
Tailored Strategic Plan Fit for Your Organization: We design a custom plan that matches your specific goals and future vision.

Suffering in Silence: A Call to Action

As discussed in my dissertation, “Suffering in Silence” encapsulates the hidden emotional burdens many employees carry. At TUWS, we are committed to breaking the silence and fostering open dialogue about mental health. By addressing these learning moments head-on, we help organizations create environments where employees feel heard, supported, and empowered.

At The Up-Ward Shift (TUWS), we believe that learning happens when life meets experience.

Just like David Kolb taught us, real learning isn’t just about reading books or taking notes—it’s about living the experience. Kolb said, “Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience” (Kolb, 1984). And for us, that’s what makes our work so powerful, especially with our Certified Peer Specialists (CPS). CPS are incredible people who use their lived experiences—the highs, the lows, and everything in between—to help others. Whether it’s navigating the grief of losing a loved one, handling the pressures of marriage, adjusting to life changes as children grow, or finding balance during moments of personal loss, CPS get it. They’ve walked those paths, and their personal stories help them connect with others in a deeply meaningful way.

At TUWS, we take that real-world experience and transform it into learning—because it’s not just about what you know, but how you’ve lived and grown through it. Experiential learning means that we reflect, we adapt, and we apply what we’ve learned to make a difference—both in our lives and in the lives of others. This cycle of action, reflection, and growth doesn’t just apply to leadership; it’s how we nurture our teams, support our peers, and create lasting change (Kolb, 1984).

We’re here to walk beside you through life’s changes, to help you rediscover your strength and purpose, and to build a future where mental health isn’t something we hide from but something we embrace. Together, we can shift the narrative from just surviving to truly thriving.

Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice Hall.

Here at The Shift

At TUWS, we recognize that mental health is a universal concern that transcends race, ethnicity, and background. However, disparities in mental health prevalence and access to care persist across different communities. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2022, approximately 23.1% of U.S. adults experienced some form of mental concern. But when we look deeper into treatment rates among racial and ethnic groups, the numbers reveal significant disparities:

52.4% of White adults received mental health treatment,
39.4% of Black or African American adults received treatment,
36.1% of Hispanic or Latino adults received treatment,
25.4% of Asian adults received treatment,
52.2% of Mixed/Multiracial adults received treatment.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for culturally competent mental health services that acknowledge and address the unique experiences and barriers faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Our Commitment to Cultural Competence

At TUWS, we understand that cultural factors play a crucial role in how individuals perceive and respond to mental health challenges. Our approach is grounded in cultural competence, ensuring that our services are respectful of and tailored to the cultural identities of those we serve. Even though Certified Peer specialist plays a valuable role in recovery, however, so does Therapist. This includes:

Understanding cultural beliefs and practices: Recognizing how cultural backgrounds influence mental health perceptions and coping mechanisms.
Addressing stigma: Working to reduce the stigma associated with mental health within various communities.
Providing culturally appropriate resources: Offering materials and support that resonate with diverse cultural perspectives.

The Role of Therapists in Supporting Mental Health

Therapists are integral to the healing process, providing a safe space for individuals to explore their feelings and experiences. At TUWS, therapists play a vital role in:

Offering professional guidance: Helping individuals navigate mental health challenges with evidence-based strategies.
Building trust: Establishing a therapeutic relationship that encourages openness and healing.
Promoting resilience: Empowering individuals to develop coping skills and strategies for managing stress and adversity.

A Call to Action

These disparities are not just numbers—they represent real people, families, and communities that deserve better. At TUWS, we are committed to being a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. We invite all individuals to the table, regardless of background, to join us in creating a community where mental health is prioritized, and everyone has access to the care and support they need. Together, we can shift the narrative—from stigma to support, from isolation to community, and from silence to healing.