Why Patients Choose Meridian Behavioral Health
We are not a national chain. We are a Las Vegas practice built on clinical excellence, genuine compassion, and the belief that every patient deserves to be treated as a whole person.
What Sets Us Apart
Board-Certified Providers
Every psychiatric provider on our team holds national board certification. Amy Wise, PMHNP-BC and Maribel Zehnder-Merino, PMHNP-BC bring decades of combined clinical experience.
Certified EMDR Therapy
Derek Wise, MA, LCPC is a fully certified EMDR therapist — not just trained, but certified through EMDRIA. This distinction requires hundreds of supervised hours beyond basic training.
Evidence-Based Protocols
We follow APA-aligned treatment guidelines. Every intervention — EMDR, CBT, ACT, DBT, medication management — is grounded in peer-reviewed research, not trends.
Veteran-Owned Practice
Derek Wise served in the United States Marine Corps and the Nevada Army National Guard. This experience brings discipline, empathy, and a deep understanding of trauma to our clinical team.
Integrated Care Model
Your psychiatrist and therapist work together as a team. Amy handles medication management while Derek provides therapy — and they coordinate your care in real time.
our convenient location
Our Fort Apache office serves Southwest Las Vegas, and accepts most major insurance plans.
Meet Our Clinical Team
Every provider at Meridian holds advanced degrees, national certifications, and extensive clinical experience.
Amy Wise, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Board Certified — ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health
- MSN, Psychiatric Mental Health — Walden University
- Specialist in medication management for mood disorders, ADHD, and anxiety
Derek Wise, MA, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified EMDR Therapist
- Certified EMDR Therapist — EMDRIA
- MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling — Adams State University
- US Marine Corps Veteran • Nevada Army National Guard
- Specialist in complex trauma, PTSD, and first responder therapy
Maribel Zehnder-Merino, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Board Certified — ANCC Psychiatric-Mental Health
- Bilingual Provider (English/Spanish)
- Specialist in psychiatric evaluations and medication management
Our Clinical Standards
We hold ourselves to the highest clinical standards in the field. Every treatment protocol at Meridian is backed by peer-reviewed research and aligned with guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
EMDR Therapy
Recommended by the APA, VA/DoD, and WHO as a frontline treatment for PTSD. Our EMDR practice follows the standard 8-phase protocol developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD, as recognized by EMDRIA.
Medication Management
All medication decisions follow APA Clinical Practice Guidelines and are regularly reviewed against the latest published research and FDA safety updates.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is one of the most extensively researched therapeutic approaches. We use it for anxiety, depression, OCD, and insomnia alongside validated assessment instruments.
Outcome Monitoring
We use validated clinical instruments (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, ASRS) to track your progress objectively and adjust treatment plans based on measurable outcomes.
4.7 Overall Rating
Based on verified patient reviews from Google
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Meridian different from large hospital systems?
We are a locally owned, independent practice in Las Vegas — not a national chain. Our providers know every patient by name, coordinate care directly, and maintain shorter wait times than large systems.
What are the qualifications of your providers?
Amy Wise, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. Derek Wise, MA, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor and fully certified EMDR therapist through EMDRIA. Maribel Zehnder-Merino, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Do you use evidence-based treatments?
Yes, all treatments are grounded in peer-reviewed research. We use EMDR (recommended by APA and VA/DoD for PTSD), CBT, ACT, DBT, and evidence-based medication protocols aligned with APA guidelines.
How do your psychiatrist and therapist work together?
Amy handles medication management while Derek provides therapy. They coordinate in real time, sharing insights about your progress. This integrated approach ensures your medication and therapy work in harmony.
What insurance do you accept?
We accept Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Medicaid, Carelon, First Health, SilverSummit Healthplan, UnitedHealthcare, and Molina. Contact us to verify your specific plan.
Ready to Start Your Mental Health Journey?
Contact us today for a free 15-minute consultation. We'll match you with the right provider and verify your insurance before your first visit.