Today we’d like to introduce you to Shani Jensen.
Hi Shani, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our Story
Julie Swensen and Shani Jensen’s friendship began in the early 2000s while working as medical social workers at Logan Regional Hospital, in Logan, Utah. Over the past 25+ years, they have supported one another through the growth of their careers, families, and continued education.
Education has always been a shared passion. Julie earned her Master of Social Work degree from Utah State University in 2010, and Shani followed two years later in 2012. With their advanced degrees, both continued their work at Logan Regional Hospital, added additional experience as home health and hospice work Social Workers with Community Nursing Services and then eventually transitioned entirely into private practice as mental health therapists.
In 2019, they came together under the name Peak Mental Health, while still maintaining their own individual practices. The idea of expanding into a group practice was often discussed, yet with the busyness of life, it remained on the back burner.
Never ones to stop learning, Julie began a Ph.D. program in Social Work — and, true to their parallel paths, Shani soon followed, pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology. Both are continuing their studies with determination to complete their programs in the coming years.
Amid their full schedules balancing school, family life, and thriving private practices, an opportunity arose in early 2025 to expand Peak Mental Health officially. Although the timing was far from convenient, both Julie and Shani felt a clear sense that this was the right next step.
In March 2025, they began the process of transforming Peak Mental Health into a group practice — a project that involved countless hours of organization, policy and procedure writing, credentialing with insurance, designing documentation templates, advertising, furnishing new offices, and, most importantly, mentoring a team of talented associate therapists.
Now, with five associate therapists and a shared vision for continued growth, Julie and Shani are excited to see their vision of Peak Mental Health finally take fruition. Most importantly they value the expertise and passion of their associate therapists in their personal, professional, and community initiatives that reflect the heart of Peak Mental Health — helping individuals and families reach new heights together.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The Journey of Building Peak Mental Health
Like any new venture, the process of growing Peak Mental Health has been filled with both challenges and celebrations. Julie and Shani often reflect on the ups and downs — the setbacks, the learning curves, and the many rewarding moments that have shaped the practice into what it is today. Throughout the journey, they have leaned on supportive colleagues within the community for encouragement and guidance, knowing that growth is always a shared process.
One of the biggest challenges they encountered was navigating the world of insurance. Both Julie and Shani are deeply committed to providing accessible, cost-effective therapy, which meant partnering with multiple insurance providers to better serve the Cache Valley community and beyond. This proved to be a time-consuming and often complicated process filled with endless communication, follow-ups, and fine-tuning. Looking back, they both agree that if they could do it all over again, hiring professional help for credentialing would have been one of their very first investments.
Starting a business has been an eye-opening experience in just how many moving parts are involved. From policies and procedures to design, compliance, and team development — the list is seemingly endless. Julie and Shani often joke that, someday in their “free time,” they might just write a book on how to start a group practice — lessons learned the hard way and the heartwarming successes included.
A key ingredient in their success has been their complementary strengths. Julie brings a calming presence, thoughtful communication, and a flexible approach that helps foster genuine connection. Shani contributes a natural talent for structure, organization, and creativity that brings clarity and vision to the process. Together, they balance each other in ways that continue to strengthen both their partnership and the practice.
Of course, none of this growth would be possible without the grace, patience, and dedication of their associate therapists. Their willingness to grow alongside Julie and Shani has been an invaluable part of building the strong, connected team that defines Peak Mental Health today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
About Peak Mental Health
Peak Mental Health is a group practice dedicated to providing compassionate and effective mental health therapy for individuals of all ages, couples, and groups. Our licensed therapists specialize in a wide range of areas including trauma, OCD, ADHD, grief and loss, maternal mental health, human sexuality, stress management, life transitions, substance use, relationship building, childhood behavioral concerns, faith and spirituality, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
What truly sets Peak Mental Health apart is the collective strength of our team. Each therapist brings unique expertise, interests, and therapeutic style, creating a rich environment of collaboration, learning, and professional growth. This shared passion for ongoing education allows us to offer a variety of evidence-based approaches tailored to meet each client’s unique needs — including EMDR, Brainspotting, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Psychotherapy, CBT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, ERP, Emotional Freedom Techniques, and ACT.
While we are proud of the wide range of services we provide, we are most proud of the heart behind our work. At Peak Mental Health, our mission is rooted in connection — helping our clients and community members heal, grow, and reach their fullest potential. We believe that therapy is a space for authenticity and self-discovery, and we strive to create an environment where every person feels seen, supported, and empowered to make the climb to new heights together.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We invite you to learn more about our therapists, specialties, and services by visiting our website at www.peakmentalhealth.net for detailed information.
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