Our Story

The Utah Coalition of Mental Health Professions began as a shared idea in 2021 between the Utah Mental Health Counselors Association, the Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the National Association of Social Workers – Utah Chapter. Each organization recognized that Utah’s professional mental health landscape was increasingly interconnected, and that our work often overlapped in meaningful and unavoidable ways. Rather than addressing challenges in isolated pockets, we saw the value of uniting our voices and expertise.

As we continued collaborating, it became clear that many of the issues affecting our clients and our professions were not discipline-specific but systemic and statewide. Workforce shortages, reimbursement concerns, legislative pressures, and gaps in public understanding were being felt across all professions. Through ongoing conversations, shared advocacy efforts, and a growing sense of collective purpose, the idea of a cross-disciplinary coalition gained momentum.

After years of refining our structure and purpose, we launched this fledgling association with the goal of becoming a stronger, more unified presence in Utah. The Coalition exists to amplify the impact of mental health professionals, promote ethical and evidence-based care, and advocate for policies that strengthen mental wellness for all Utahns. By working together, we believe we can shape a healthier, more responsive future for our communities and the professionals who serve them.

People continue to ask, "when is the next Coalition conference?" Coalitions, to the best of our knowledge, are not found in other states. The continued success of this coalition proves that Utah is more than unique.