Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Utz.
Hi Devin , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into the mental health field started in Child Life, where I worked closely with children who were medically fragile in a hospital setting. I learned early on how deeply our emotional health and relationships impact healing and growth. That foundation led me to a 13-year career in Child Protective Services, where I worked both in the field and as a supervisor. Those years shaped my heart and purpose—I witnessed families in crisis, children navigating trauma, and adults trying to rebuild after painful experiences. It was there that I developed a true passion for understanding human behavior and the lasting effects of attachment, trauma, and resilience.
From there, I moved into working with adults in crisis at an acute psychiatric hospital. I collaborated with psychiatrists and therapists, learning crisis intervention, medication management, and how to build treatment plans that create meaningful, fast progress. Those years gave me the confidence to handle high-intensity situations and deepened my belief that healing happens when people feel seen and safe.
Eventually, I accepted a position as a school-based therapist, drawn by the balance it offered after years of heavy work—and the thought of having summers off to garden sounded like a dream. I built programs from the ground up in two school districts, helping students manage anxiety, trauma, and self-esteem challenges. When one district offered me a full-time position, I accepted, but that left the other school without a licensed therapist. As I tried to find a replacement, I realized how limited mental health resources were—especially for children and families. Waitlists were long, and the need was overwhelming.
That realization became my turning point. I decided to open my own private practice to continue supporting the kids and families who needed care. I hired a private practice coach, and within six weeks, Conversation Peace Wellness, LLC was born. I began seeing clients evenings and weekends while still working full-time at the school. Word spread quickly, and within months, I knew it was time to step into private practice full time. It wasn’t until the end of the school year that this happened so it was a tough busy time during these months.
Today, I’m honored to provide therapy for clients ages 8 to 65 through individual and group sessions. My vision for Conversation Peace Wellness is to create an authentic, supportive environment—one where therapists are cared for so they can fully care for their clients. I never wanted my practice to feel rushed or impersonal like some of the systems I had worked in.
I’m currently expanding our services to include groups like Mental Health 101, Parenting for Connection, Understanding Anxiety, Teen Self-Confidence, Hormone Health & Mental Wellness. By 2026, and Women’s Soul Retreats. I plan to hire two to three additional therapists and possibly a nutritionist part time so we can meet the growing needs of our community and bring more specialties into our space.
This journey has been full of pivots, challenges, and incredible growth. I’ve learned to listen closely to the signs that point the way forward. I truly believe that success is about alignment—when your purpose and your passion meet, everything begins to flow. Most days, I still can’t believe how far it’s come. I’m deeply grateful for the clients who trust me to walk beside them through life’s hardest moments and for the chance to create a space where healing feels possible again.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course not—life is full of twists, turns, and valleys, and I’ve learned that it’s often in those valleys where we grow the most. Working in mental health brings its own set of challenges, but also deep rewards. I’ve done a lot of research in generational mental health—how our families, culture, and time periods shape the way we understand and respond to our emotions.
When I transitioned from working primarily with adults back to children and teens, I quickly realized that this younger generation feels deeply. They are incredibly self-aware of their emotions but often struggle with how to navigate and regulate them. I believe this is partly because many generations before them were never taught to be emotionally intelligent—we were taught to stay busy, stay strong, and move on.
One of my biggest challenges came when I worked within the school system. Balancing state requirements, academic goals, and mental health needs was incredibly difficult. It was hard to convince administrators that true learning can’t happen when a student’s mental health is unstable. Helping children manage anxiety, trauma, and emotional regulation in short sessions between classes was one of the toughest but most meaningful parts of my career.
Another challenge has been learning how to build and run a business while continuing to provide quality clinical care. Starting a private practice in a rural area came with its share of uncertainty—from marketing and finances to balancing workloads and community outreach. But it’s also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Every step has taught me something about creativity, perseverance, and faith in the process. I’ve learned that I can meet clients exactly where they are—emotionally, mentally, and situationally—and that same grace applies to myself as a business owner. We are always a work in progress, and that, in itself, is a beautiful part of the journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Conversation Peace Wellness is a private mental health practice serving individuals ages 8 to 65. We offer individual and group therapy, and I’m intentional about building a space that feels authentic—for both clients and therapists.
For many years, I worked in systems where treatment felt rushed or impersonal, where therapists were burned out and clients were left unseen. I wanted to change that. I’m creating a practice where therapists are cared for so our clients can be cared for—because the two go hand-in-hand. I want my therapists to understand life/work balance and how this serves their clients.
Our vision is growing rapidly. I’m researching new evidence-based approaches and exploring the newest interventions for best progress in treatment. I have a passion for helping people heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves and with others. My work focuses on trauma recovery, building resilience, and supporting those navigating high-functioning anxiety, life transitions, and complex trauma. I aim to create a safe and empowering space where you feel heard, respected, and supported every step of the way.
In the future, we plan to establish a network of support groups to ensure you feel connected and know you’re not alone in your journey. I have a passion to find connections with Women’s Soul Retreats and education on Hormone Health. By 2026, my goal is to bring on two to three additional therapists and a nutritionist part time to expand our services and meet the growing needs of our community. Growth—with heart. I want Conversation Peace Wellness to continue evolving into a collaborative, holistic space for healing that includes educating our clients about the whole body and how it connects to our mental health. I’m exploring partnerships, expanding group offerings, and mentoring new clinicians who share this vision of authentic care.
Conversation Peace Wellness, LLC has already collaborated a partnership with Hugh & Grace. Hugh & Grace is a lifestyle wellness brand focused on hormone health. Their mission is to support your overall well-being by minimizing exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals in products we use on, in and around our bodies. They develop hormone safe skincare, health and home care products that aim to be high performance and science backed. Caring for our body’s hormone health can directly impact our mental health.
Outside of therapy, I enjoy the simple joys of life—spending time with my family, cheering at my kids’ sporting events, living on 70 acres of country life, camping, and gardening. I believe strongly in holistic wellness and the connection between our bodies, environment, and emotional health. My goal is to walk alongside you with compassion, curiosity, and care as you work toward feeling whole and well.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve learned that taking risks is really about trusting yourself enough to move, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Every meaningful pivot in my career has involved risk—from leaving a secure government position in Child Protective Services after 13 years, to starting over in the hospital system, and eventually walking away from the stability of a school salary to build my own private practice from scratch.
When I opened Conversation Peace Wellness, I was stepping into completely new territory. I had the clinical experience, but I had never owned a business. I remember sitting at my kitchen table with a notebook, a vision, and a lot of uncertainty. But I also knew that if I didn’t take the leap, I’d always wonder “what if.”
To me, risk is not recklessness—it’s alignment. It’s listening to the quiet pull that says you’re meant for something more, even when the timing or the roadmap isn’t perfect. I’ve found that every time I’ve taken a risk rooted in purpose and service to others, the right doors eventually opened.
Risk requires courage, but it also requires faith—faith that the lessons you’ve learned up to this point will guide you through the next step. Looking back, those moments of uncertainty have been the ones that built my confidence the most. Without those leaps, there would be no practice, no clients, and no fulfillment in the work I get to do today.
So yes, I believe in taking risks—but I believe in taking intentional ones, the kind that honor your purpose and move you closer to the life and work you’re meant to create.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.conversationpeacewellness.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=conversation%20peace%20wellness
