To promote the health, recovery, and well-being of those affected by mental illnesses and substance use disorders through prevention, coordinated treatment, and supportive services. Our mission is evident in all we do, from developing a continuum of treatment services that are evidence-based for a range of illnesses to participating in our communities as a partner in enhancing the quality of life. It is Meridian's goal to improve the wellbeing and health of our patients and community.
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Services Offered
Crisis Services - address the needs of those facing an acute episode of psychiatric illness or substance use disorder. Upon evaluation, crisis counseling may lessen the acuity, permitting referral to traditional or intensive outpatient treatment; or may result in admission to medically-supervised in-patient services. Meridian is not a hospital, however, and our inpatient units do not serve those who need significant medical or surgical care. Learn more about Crisis Services.
Rehabilitation Services - provide longer-term treatment focusing on counseling, support and rehabilitation to promote recovery and successful return to the community. This level of care primarily serves those with serious substance use disorders or long-term, severe mental illness and offers 24-hour care. Learn more about our Rehabilitation Services.
Outpatient Services - provide treatment and support to address symptoms and functioning. This level of care addresses mild to moderate levels of illness or supports sustained recovery for those who have experienced severe or chronic illness and treatment at a higher level of care. Our therapists use a range of modalities that are evidence-based and effective in treating these problems. Learn more about our Outpatient Services.
Outreach - seeks to meet people where they are, to identify those in the community needing treatment and engage them in deciding whether treatment might help them reach their personal goals toward recovery and wellness. Learn more about Outreach options.
Prevention - aims to address risk factors for mental illness or substance use or to prevent worsening of illness for those in early phases of illness. Prevention also includes educating the community on mental health first aid. Learn more about Prevention options.
Rehabilitation Services - Rehabilitative services provide long-term residential treatment, counseling, support and rehabilitation to promote recovery and our client's successful return to the community. This level of care primarily serves those with serious substance use disorders or long-term, severe mental illnesses and offers 24-hour care.
Fees and Payment
We accept payment for services from a variety of sources. Indigent care is provided through contracts with Lutheran Social Services (through the Florida Department of Children and Families) and County Commission contracts. We also accept payment from client fees based on a sliding scale, commercial insurance, contracts with other entities, disability, Medicare and Medicaid (through its various managed care plans and Medipass).
Eligibility requirements for assistance programs can be reviewed with Financial Counselors when you call or come in for services, and payment plans are available. Meridian provides a limited amount of uncompensated care to those without ability to pay after contracts for indigent care have been expended.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.