Business Details
9 Years
experience
Your Trusted Therapy Partner in Los Angeles & Salt Lake City
Meridian Counseling was founded in 2017 by Sandra Kushnir, a licensed marriage and family therapist, with a mission to destigmatize mental health care and make it accessible to all. Our practice is built on the belief that quality care begins with exceptional clinicians, and we meticulously vet every therapist in our network to ensure personalized, evidence-based treatment. We pioneered one of California's first fully insurance-based therapy practices, addressing the critical need for affordable mental health services for young professionals and students. Over the years, we've grown into one of the largest mental health providers in California and Utah, serving thousands of clients monthly while maintaining our commitment to clinical excellence.Our CARF-accredited programs and CAMFT-approved continuing education reflect our dedication to the highest standards of care. We offer flexible treatment modalities including in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions across our Los Angeles and Salt Lake City locations. Our team provides specialized support for individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, group sessions, holistic psychiatry, and intensive outpatient programs. We maintain a clinician-owned model that prioritizes patient care over corporate interests, having bootstrapped our growth without external investment. Our values of community, integrity, and forward-thinking innovation continue to guide our expansion and service offerings.
Services
Individual Therapy
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
Group Sessions
Holistic Psychiatry
IOP Program
Child Counseling
IVF Support
Online Therapy
Medication Management
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We offer in-network insurance coverage with all major providers
- Our therapists undergo rigorous vetting and clinical support
- We provide flexible session options: in-person, virtual, or hybrid
- We maintain CARF accreditation and CAMFT-approved training programs
- Our clinician-owned model prioritizes patient care over profits
Associations and certifications
- CARF
- CAMFT
What people say
Respected, heard, validated
Culturally sensitive approach
Positive and healing experience
Prompt, professional, helpful staff
Comfortable and welcoming office
Services
Individual Therapy
Our individual counseling services provide personalized therapeutic journeys toward healing and self-discovery. Experienced therapists employ evidence-based approaches to address anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and life transitions. Sessions create safe spaces for exploring personal challenges while developing coping strategies that foster resilience and personal growth through tailored treatment plans.
Couples Counseling
Specialized couples counseling strengthens relationships through improved communication and conflict resolution. Our therapists address trust issues, financial disagreements, and intimacy challenges using evidence-based techniques. Sessions focus on enhancing emotional connection while providing tools to navigate life changes together in supportive, non-judgmental environments.
Family Counseling
Marriage and family counseling services address complex family dynamics through collaborative therapy sessions. Our specialists resolve conflicts, improve communication, and rebuild trust using techniques tailored to marital disputes and parenting challenges. Treatment plans incorporate blended family adjustments and stress management strategies for comprehensive family unit support.
Holistic Psychiatry
Our holistic psychiatry combines traditional psychiatric methods with complementary therapies for comprehensive mental wellness. Treatment integrates medication management with nutritional advice and mindfulness practices. This approach addresses root causes of mental health challenges while emphasizing natural healing pathways and preventive care strategies for long-term wellness.
IOP Program
The Intensive Outpatient Program provides structured treatment for mental health and substance use disorders without residential requirements. Our program combines cognitive-behavioral therapy, group counseling, and holistic approaches in flexible scheduling options. Treatment addresses depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder while supporting clients' daily life commitments.
People
Sandra Kushnir
Founder
Sandra Kushnir, LMFT, founded Meridian Counseling in 2017 after recognizing the need for accessible mental health care. As a first-generation American and daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, she pioneered California's first fully insurance-based therapy practice. Her leadership has grown Meridian into a CARF-accredited provider serving thousands monthly.
Kevin Lehtinen
Co-Founder
Kevin Lehtinen transitioned from control systems engineering at Hyperloop One to co-found Meridian Counseling in 2017. Leveraging his technical background, he helped scale operations while maintaining clinical excellence. His strategic vision contributes to Meridian's growth as one of California and Utah's largest mental health providers.
Questions
What insurance plans do you accept?
We are in-network with all major insurance plans including Carelon, Evernorth, Magellan Health, Molina Health, Select Health, TriWest, and Optum. We verify coverage details before treatment begins.
What therapy modalities do you offer?
We provide individual, couples, family, and group therapy sessions with options for in-person, virtual, or hybrid treatment. Specialized programs include holistic psychiatry and intensive outpatient services.
How do I find the right therapist?
Our matching system connects clients with vetted therapists based on specialty, location, and treatment approach preferences. We offer credentialing information and therapy style details for informed decisions.
Are online therapy sessions available?
Yes, we offer virtual therapy sessions accessible from any location. Our telehealth platform maintains the same clinical standards as in-person sessions while providing scheduling flexibility.
What payment options exist without insurance?
We offer competitive private pay rates for uninsured clients, including $160 for individual therapy sessions and $50 for group therapy. Superbills are available for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
What makes your therapists qualified?
All therapists undergo rigorous vetting and maintain active licensure. Our CARF accreditation ensures adherence to highest clinical standards, with ongoing professional development through CAMFT-approved training programs.
