Peter Best

“Healing takes time. I often work from a system’s lens to help individuals find the answers they’re looking for. I put the client(s) in the driver’s seat and understand they are the experts of their lives as I strive to guide them on their healing path.

I do not doubt that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela. As humans, if we continue to learn and grow, I believe we can improve our lives and change the outcome.”

• Suicidal Ideation
• Grief & Loss
• Gender Identity
• LGBTQIA
• Depression
• Faith Transitions

Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion & Education, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (2010)

Master of Public Health, WESTMINSTER COLLEGE (2013)

Master of Social Work, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH (2023)

Peter (He | Him) was born and raised in SLC, UT, obtained a BS in Health Promotion & Education from the University of Utah, and is a certified health education specialist. He later earned a Master of Public Health degree from Westminster College. And recently completed a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Utah, focusing on mental health.

In practice, Peter believes clients are the authors of their stories and primarily utilize multicultural, solution-focused, and strengths-based approaches. Peter has a decade of experience as a public health professional working to implement various suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention protocols and policies at various agencies. He brings that macro-level expertise with him as he helps clients cope with life’s stressors. Peter enjoys working with various folks, especially those learning to cope with grief and loss, including faith transitions and the “coming out” process, and how best to adjust to life after any loss.

Peter has extensive experience working in the sexual health and HIV/AIDS field nationally. He has worked as a public health professional to prevent HIV and STIs in Utah. He also understands the unique challenges of experiencing discrimination or trauma around sexual health, including sexual and gender identity.

Peter enjoys helping to normalize mental health in our society as much as going to the grocery store. He will help advocate for you in your professional and personal life. He enjoys working with those struggling with suicidality, grief and loss, non-monogamous and non-traditional family structures, and those experiencing the unique challenges all marginalized individuals face (particularly in Utah). This may include exploring sexual orientation and gender identity, transgender issues (including accessing gender-affirming medical care), racial discrimination, faith transitions, family dynamics, divorce, and self-acceptance.

Peter is that therapist if you are looking for someone who is affirming and will encourage you to live your best life and make decisions to help you thrive. See him if you seek someone open and non-judgmental. Talk with Peter if you are a parent of a struggling child or teen. If your family simply needs help to function better, come on in. He would be honored to help you along this wild journey we call life.

Outside of his professional life, Peter enjoys being outside in the rain; all things fall, reading a good book or studying while drinking coffee, and spending time with his husband and two dogs: Annabelle and Poppy. Peter and his husband have been trying to build their family via surrogacy for six years. The process has given him new insight into struggles individuals may face.

Additional Training:

-QPR (question, persuade, refer), gatekeeper
-Mental Health First Aid
-Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (Asist) facilitator
-Gottman levels 1 & 2