Today we’d like to introduce you to Haylee Bladen.
Hi Haylee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
WholeKids Emotional Wellness: Supporting Utah’s Youth One Family at a Time
The vision for WholeKids Emotional Wellness began in 2008, when founders Haylee and Jay had just finished their undergraduate college degrees and felt a strong pull toward helping children and teens. From the beginning, their mission was clear: to empower young people to be confident, brave, heal from trauma, and believe in themselves.
They started small in 2011, offering workshops, school assemblies, and classes focused on emotional wellness, resilience, and confidence-building. These early efforts laid the foundation for what would eventually grow into a statewide mental health organization.
In 2016, as Haylee worked as a school-based therapist and Jay worked in finance industry, the need for accessible, high-quality mental health services for youth became increasingly clear. In response, Haylee opened a private practice dedicated to providing children and teens with evidence-based support and practical tools to navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, and everyday challenges.
Demand quickly grew. By 2017, the practice had expanded to include additional clinicians and larger clinic spaces to better serve the community. What started as a small, passion-driven effort evolved into a thriving team.
Today, WholeKids Emotional Wellness serves hundreds of children, teens, and families in therapy services each week across 10 locations throughout Utah from Logan to St. George. With a continued focus on compassionate, evidence-based care, the organization remains committed to helping young people build confidence, develop resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like many growing organizations, the journey has not been without challenges. The founders have navigated the risks of expansion, employee and staffing complexities, shifts in funding, and the ongoing balance between work, family, and personal life. These experiences have shaped the heart of the organization and deepened their commitment to both their team and the families they serve.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
WholeKids Emotional Wellness is a mental health organization dedicated to helping children, teens, and families navigate real-life challenges with confidence and support. We provide outpatient therapy, school-based services, and parent support using evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches.
We specialize in working with kids and teens who are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral challenges, and social/emotional development. We also place a strong emphasis on supporting parents because when parents feel equipped, kids do better.
What we’re most known for is our warm, relationship centered approach. Therapy can feel intimidating, especially for kids, so we’ve intentionally created spaces that feel safe, inviting, and even fun. Our clinics are designed with play, creativity, and connection in mind because that’s how kids heal and grow.
What sets us apart is the way we blend clinical excellence with real-life practicality. We don’t just focus on what happens in the therapy room, we help families apply skills at home, at school, and in everyday moments. We also collaborate closely with schools, pediatricians, and community partners to provide whole-child, wraparound care.
During COVID, we expanded our reach by creating online mental health programs for families to use together at home. These courses focus on building practical, lasting skills using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and more. Families can access these resources anytime at www.wholekidsemotionalwellness.com
, making support more flexible and accessible.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of the culture we’ve built, both for the families we serve and for our team. We’ve created an environment where clinicians feel supported, supervised, and continually growing, which directly impacts the quality of care our clients receive. We truly believe that taking care of our team allows them to better take care of others.
We also take pride in making mental health feel accessible, approachable, and empowering. Whether it’s through therapy, school programs, workshops, or online resources, our goal is to meet families where they are and give them tools that actually work.
At the heart of it all, we want families to know this:
You’re not alone, and change is possible. We’re here to walk alongside you.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The mental health field is growing rapidly, and we expect that to continue. There has already been a significant shift in how people view therapy—stigma is decreasing, and families are more open than ever to seeking support. That’s a really positive change, especially for kids and teens who are getting help earlier.
At the same time, the market has become more saturated. There are more providers, more platforms, and more options for families, which makes it even more important to have a strong niche and a clear, trusted brand. For us, our focus on children, teens, and family-centered care—and the relationships we’ve built with schools, pediatricians, and community partners—has been a key part of our growth and sustainability.
Looking ahead, I see a few major trends. Therapy will continue to become more accessible and flexible, with a blend of in-person services, school-based support, and online programs. Families are looking for practical tools they can use in real life, not just during a weekly session, so there will be continued growth in skill-based programs and parent education.
I also believe we’ll see more emphasis on early intervention and prevention, helping kids build emotional resilience before challenges escalate. Collaboration across systems—schools, healthcare providers, and families—will become even more important in providing effective, whole-child care.
Overall, while the field is becoming more competitive, it’s also becoming more impactful. More kids and families are getting the help they need, and that’s a shift I’m really proud to be a part of.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wholekidsutah.com and www.wholekidsemotionalwellness.com
- Instagram: @wholekids
- Youtube: @wholekidsemotionalwellness
