On Friday, September 18, 2026, Healing Connections Counseling therapists Joshua Holmes, LCSW, and Jayden Freeman, LCSW, presented to four high school classes.
Layton, UT (PRUnderground) October 3rd, 2026
Healing Connections Counseling, an outpatient mental health treatment center based in Layton, Utah, recently continued its commitment to community involvement by speaking with students at Box Elder High School about careers in mental health.
On Friday, September 18, 2026, Healing Connections Counseling therapists Joshua Holmes, LCSW, and Jayden Freeman, LCSW, presented to four high school classes about what it takes to become a mental health therapist and what the career looks like in the real world.
The presentation started with the academic and professional path required to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Holmes and Freeman walked students through the undergraduate and graduate education needed to enter the field. They also discussed Utah's testing and licensing requirements, including the exams that must be passed to earn clinical licensure. Students learned that education does not stop after becoming licensed, as mental health professionals must complete ongoing continuing education to maintain their licenses and continue developing their skills.
The presentation then moved into a "day in the life of an outpatient mental health therapist" discussion. Students were given a closer look at what a normal workday can include, from meeting with clients to using different therapeutic interventions to help people manage a wide range of mental health concerns.
Students also had the chance to participate instead of simply listening. Holmes and Freeman introduced two interactive activities focused on techniques that can help reduce mental health symptoms. Students were engaged throughout the presentations, asked questions, and participated in the activities.
This marks the third year Healing Connections Counseling has participated in a career-focused presentation at Box Elder High School.
"One of the things we value most at Healing Connections Counseling is being involved in the communities we serve," said Joshua Holmes, LCSW, owner of Healing Connections Counseling. "Getting to spend time with these students gives us a chance to show them what a career in mental health can look like, but it also opens the door for conversations about mental health itself. If we can help reduce some of the stigma, make it easier for a young person to ask for help, or even inspire a student to consider a career where they can help others, that time is well spent."
For Healing Connections Counseling, community involvement extends beyond providing therapy inside the treatment center. The team believes that connecting with local schools and young people can help make conversations about mental health feel more normal and approachable.
By participating in programs like the Box Elder High School career presentations, Healing Connections Counseling hopes to increase awareness of mental health careers, improve access to information about mental health services, reduce stigma, and make a positive impact in the communities it serves.
