Business Details
9 Years
experience
Your Trusted Mental Health Therapy Provider in California & Utah
Meridian Counseling was founded in 2017 by Sandra Kushnir, a first-generation American and licensed marriage and family therapist, with a vision to destigmatize mental health care and make it accessible to all. Starting as a solo private practice in Salt Lake City, the company grew rapidly after embracing insurance-based models to serve young professionals and students who couldn't afford private pay rates. Co-founder Kevin Lehtinen transitioned from engineering to mental health, bringing technical expertise to scale operations.Today, Meridian serves thousands of clients monthly across California and Utah, distinguished as a female- and clinician-owned startup that bootstrapped its growth without external investment. The company maintains CARF accreditation and CAMFT approval, upholding rigorous clinical standards while prioritizing quality care over profit-driven models.
Services
Individual Therapy
Couples Counseling
Family Therapy
Group Counseling
Holistic Psychiatry
Intensive Outpatient Program
IVF Psychological Assessments
Child Counseling
Medication Management
Infertility Counseling
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We accept all major insurance plans for seamless coverage
- Our therapists offer personalized, evidence-based treatment plans
- We provide flexible session options including in-person and virtual
- Our team includes CARF-accredited professionals
- We offer holistic psychiatry integrating traditional and complementary therapies
Associations and certifications
- CARF
- CAMFT
What people say
Respected, heard, validated
Positive and healing experience
Prompt, professional, helpful
Great find
Evolved and self-aware
Services
Individual Therapy
Our individual counseling services provide personalized therapeutic journeys for healing and self-discovery. Experienced therapists use evidence-based approaches to address anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Sessions create safe spaces for exploring personal challenges while building resilience and coping strategies. We accept major insurance plans in California and Utah to ensure accessibility for clients seeking mental health support through tailored one-on-one therapy.
Couples Counseling
Specialized couples counseling strengthens relationships through evidence-based techniques addressing communication breakdowns and trust issues. Our therapists create supportive environments for partners to develop conflict resolution skills and emotional connection. Services include premarital counseling and intimacy enhancement while accepting major insurance plans. We help couples build lasting bonds through effective communication strategies and reconnection techniques in both California and Utah.
Family Therapy
Family counseling services address complex dynamics in marriages and family relationships using collaborative therapeutic techniques. Our professionals help resolve conflicts, improve communication, and rebuild trust through sessions addressing parenting challenges and blended family adjustments. We foster healthier family dynamics while maintaining insurance affordability in California and Utah. Services focus on constructive communication and understanding family interaction patterns.
Group Counseling
Group counseling services create supportive environments for shared healing experiences across various mental health topics. Led by experienced therapists, sessions cover stress management, anxiety, and substance abuse recovery while building community among participants. The program emphasizes mutual support and diverse perspectives through structured discussions and therapeutic activities. Insurance coverage makes these transformative group experiences accessible to California and Utah residents.
Holistic Psychiatry
Our holistic psychiatry combines traditional psychiatric methods with complementary therapies for comprehensive mental wellness. Services integrate medication management with nutritional advice, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle modifications to address root causes of mental health challenges. This personalized approach emphasizes natural healing pathways while maintaining evidence-based standards. Insurance acceptance ensures California and Utah residents can access this integrative mental health treatment model.
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 from Ukraine, she built the practice from a solo private practice to one of California's largest mental health providers while maintaining clinical excellence and CARF accreditation.
Kevin Lehtinen
Co-Founder
Kevin Lehtinen transitioned from control systems engineering at Hyperloop One to co-found Meridian Counseling. Bringing technical expertise to mental health services, he helped scale operations while maintaining the company's mission of accessible care. His partnership with Sandra Kushnir has driven Meridian's growth to serve thousands monthly.
Questions
What insurance plans do you accept?
We accept all major insurance plans in California and Utah including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, United HealthCare, and Optum. Our team verifies coverage details before starting therapy.
Do you offer virtual therapy sessions?
Yes, we provide flexible options for in-person or virtual sessions through secure video platforms. Our telehealth services maintain the same quality of care as our physical locations.
What mental health specialties do you offer?
We treat anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, substance use disorders, infertility counseling, and relationship challenges through specialized programs including IOP, couples therapy, and holistic psychiatry.
How do I get started with therapy?
Begin by verifying insurance coverage through our website. You can then search our therapist directory to find a provider matching your needs and schedule an initial consultation either virtually or in-person.
Are out-of-network options available?
Yes, we provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. This option offers flexibility for clients seeking specific therapists or preferring to maintain session confidentiality outside insurance documentation.
What makes Meridian different from other practices?
We're a clinician-owned practice with CARF accreditation, offering both insurance-covered and private pay options. Our focus on quality care over profit, combined with clinical support systems for providers, creates better outcomes for clients.
Reviews (6)
Henry A.
Nov 15, 2021
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This place is fantastic I was struggling just going through my dad to day life and these people really helped me go through my hardships, would definitely recommend them if you need a therapists!!
Mac M.
Oct 23, 2021
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Throughout my life, I've been to an overwhelming assortment of therapists, counselors, and treatment centers but absolutely none of them compare to the success that I've found through Meridian Counseling. I've been a patient of Sandra's for 2 years now and have been making substantial progress from day one (which I feel is insanely rare). I refer friends and colleagues here all the time because Meridian has made me feel heard, understood, valued, and safe which I think anyone seeking therapy finds very important. Overall- I couldn't be happier.
Alex B.
Oct 22, 2021
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Meridian Counseling is a rare treatment clinic where clinicians care more about clients than about insurances and payments. The team of highly trained an versatile therapists is ready to answer all the questions, find the appropriate treatment model for each individual and create a customized treatment plan tor each client! Caring, genuine , involved and supportive clinicians! Thank you!
Alla Branzburg, MSW, LCSW
Alla Branzburg, MSW, LCSW
Irene Y.
Sep 17, 2021
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Meridian counseling is one of the best counseling centers that I have ever referred patients to. They truly care about their patients and have a very client centered approach which is much appreciated in the mental health field. Highly recommend Meridian to anyone looking for a mental health services in the area.
Donna N.
Sep 16, 2021
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I highly recommend Meridian Counseling! Such wonderful clinicians that truly care about their clients. I have referred to them many times and always hear the best things about the quality of care from the very first phone call all the way through the therapy and healing journey.
Anita A.
Sep 16, 2021
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It's so difficult to find knowledgeable therapists at affordable rates. Meridian Counseling offers insurance based services which is rare with counseling centers. Very welcoming!
