About Us

ABOUT MERIDIAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Whether you’re here for yourself or a loved one, when you reach out to Meridian Behavioral Health, you’re reaching out to a leader in drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Based in the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Meridian provides substance use disorder treatment services across a broad continuum of care, including residential and outpatient treatment. For more than 25 years, Meridian has developed and refined an innovative, evidence-based care model focused on positive patient impact.

MISSION

We create and provide effective treatment programs that meet the chemical and behavioral health needs of our patients, communities and referents.

VISION

By living our mission and values, Meridian Behavioral Health is the first-choice of referents and behavioral health professionals, continuously raising the standard for patient-centered care, customer service and team member engagement.

VALUES

We are a patient-centered organization recognized for embracing diversity, with unique treatment and work environments characterized by hope, quality, integrity, respect, teamwork and accountability.

INTEGRATING MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

Our philosophy for recovery and addiction treatment is to focus on the whole person; integrating mind, body and spirit. Our staff whole-heartedly believes in the power of personal touch and their passion helps transform lives every day. We listen, we respect, we build relationships, we understand and, above all, we help make a lasting change.

OUR CARE PHILOSOPHY HELPS GUIDE SUCCESS

As a leader in drug and alcohol treatment, Meridian is guided by philosophies that help us care for the whole person:

Personalized care uniquely tailored to individual needs.
Evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Full continuum of high quality patient care.
Sustained healing focused on the whole person.

Get Help Now

If you or a loved one needs help, or just someone to talk to, we’re here. Our lines are open day and night—give us a ring, we’re here and ready to listen.

1 877 367 1715

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PAYMENT OPTIONS

Meridian has facilities throughout Minnesota under three brands.

Meridian Network

PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT

PUBLIC RESIDENTIAL Treatment

PUBLIC OUTPATIENT Treatment

LEADERSHIP

Shelley Skarda

Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations

Shelley joined Meridian Behavioral Health in 2008 as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). She has held multiple roles at Meridian, and was promoted to her current role in 2016. Shelley has a strong track record as a change agent and leader. She received her BS in Human Services with a focus on Alcohol and Drug Counseling from Metropolitan State University. Shelley is passionate about recovery and competition of any kind.

When not at work, you can find Shelley in her woodworking workshop or chasing around one of her five beautiful dogs with her husband Mike.

Stephanie Crossen

Senior Vice President, Finance/Controller

Stephanie joined Meridian Behavioral Health in February 2017 as Vice President – Finance/Controller after spending over eight years in multiple financial and accounting roles at Imation Corp. Prior to Imation, she worked at AGA Medical Corp after spending over five years honing her accounting skills at KPMG. Stephanie received her BS in Business with a major in Accounting and minor in Finance at the University of Minnesota Curtis L. Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis, MN.

When not working, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing and watching tennis, and trying new restaurants.

Emily Peach

Chief Compliance Officer

Emily joined Meridian Behavioral Health in 2015 as the Director of Compliance. She was promoted to her current role as Chief Compliance Officer in 2020. Prior to joining Meridian Behavioral Health, Emily spent seven years with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health where she served in various leadership positions, most recently as the Director of Performance Improvement. Emily holds Masters Degree in Public Health (MPH) from Western Kentucky University and a BA in Psychology from the University of Tennessee. Emily is certified in Health Care Compliance (CHC).

When she’s not working, Emily enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and playing outside.

Stephen Cantwell

Vice President, Marketing & Business Development

Stephen Cantwell joined Meridian Behavioral Health in 2013 with over eight years of marketing, business development, sales and branding experience. Stephen holds a Bachelors Degree in Business & Economics from Lehigh University and specializes in marketing strategy, strategic and gap analysis as well as brand formulation and brand management. Stephen honed his skill sets through a tenured role at Apple Inc where he facilitated the formulation of many strategic business partnerships.

Stephen has made a home here in MN and loves spending time outside participating in recreational activities. When he is not at work you can most likely find him on one of the many local Minnesota golf courses.