Every staff member that we came into contact with was caring and professional. Our therapist Jessi, was a perfect fit for us and as a family we all grew through this experience. Our 15 year old was that marydel for three and a half months. During that time he had full medic ...
About Meridell Achievement Center
Meridell Achievement Center is a residential treatment center in Liberty Hill, Texas. They specialize in behavioral and neurobehavioral programs for children and adolescents aged 10 to 17. They offer a range of psychiatric services for patients and their families. They treat patients with substance abuse disorders, but they don’t accept those whose main issue is chemical dependency.
They accept many major insurance providers. For military families they accept TRICARE. If you don’t have insurance coverage they also offer private payment plans. They don’t accept Texas Medicaid or CHIP.
Their focus is on inpatient psychiatric treatment. All patients participate in individual, family and group therapy sessions. Family therapy takes place over the phone. Patients also take part in group recreational activities.
Treatment programs are intensive and based on proven methods including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), systemic family therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), positive reinforcement behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. They use a trauma informed treatment approach to help minimize anxiety and make patients feel comfortable and secure. Treatment plans are customized for each patient based on their unique needs.
Your teen may also participate in psychoeducation to help them better understand their symptoms, treatment options and coping strategies. The goal is to prepare teens and their families for life after residential treatment ends. All patients attend school sessions at the residential campus during the week.
Many patients come from military families. If you’re on active duty or a veteran of the U.S. military your child may qualify for the Patriot Support Program. This provides specialized behavioral health and substance abuse treatment to address the unique challenges faced by military dependents.
They are accredited by the Joint Commission and have earned the Gold Seal of Approval. Not every residential treatment center qualifies, and it shows Meridell’s commitment to meeting the more stringent standards.
Gold seals are impressive, but what truly stands out is what parents say. Many express appreciation for the compassionate treatment their kids receive from skilled staff who can connect with their children when other therapists and specialists cannot.
Facility Overview
134 Number of Available Beds
Latest Reviews
IF YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN DONT SEND THEM HERE don t listen to the good parent reviews. no child sent here will tell you anything good.i was sent here at 12. although my time here was short, it still left life long damage. i can still hear the screaming and crying and see the scratches on the walls. i was held down until i wasn t able to breathe. although to my mom my anger disappeared after being sent here, i was terrified of being sent back. although i don t officially know why my time here was cut short, my mom and i think it was because of my eating disorder and it s severity that they didn t tell my parents about until i was basically out the door.as i was leaving the threat of being sent back was held over my head mainly by my horrible therapist, morgan star. i saw someone being sent back barely a month after she left. so i knew they weren t bluffing.the one punishment that i clearly remember, being put on a ten foot . if we got too close (according to staff) we were put on a ten foot. not allowed to sit near each other, talk to each other, look at each other, or even acknowledge each other.there is so much im forgetting due to memory loss. but you get the gist.you re child deserves a place that nurtures them. where they can have human connection, that s not being pinned to a wall or the ground.
Response from the owner2 months ago
Hi, Belle. Thank you your review and for bringing your concerns to our attention. We'd like to follow up with you directly so that we can further address them. At your convenience, please provide us with your contact information by visiting http://www.meridell.com/contact-us/. We hope to hear from you soon.
To everyone who s had bad experiences there in 2008, 2019, or whenever just so you know nothing has changed. I went there in 2023 and maybe because it s 2024 they changed slightly but even then I doubt it. To parents, there s better places to send your child if you re thinking of a long term. Much cleaner (bathrooms better food etc) and healthy staff and patient relationships. There was ups and downs at my time therePsIt s absolutely filthy there. Silverfish in the showers and room is to be expected and boogers on the shower wall, nasty kids of course but apparently the janitor can t clean
Response from the owner2 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us. We would like to get some more details so that we can further look into your concerns. So that we can follow up with you directly, please provide us with your contact information by visiting http://www.meridell.com/contact-us/. Thank you again.
My daughter is in much better shape than when she arrived. Nice work!
Response from the owner1 month ago
Hello, Joe. So glad to hear this terrific feedback! Thank you for taking the time to leave us this review. Take care. 
Rehab Score
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7.6 / 10
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Other Forms of Payment
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient After completing some form of inpatient care, many clients transition or step down to an outpatient rehab, while some choose to transition from detox directly into outpatient care. High-intensity outpatient programming, including partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) is widely available for clients in early recovery, those leaving detox, and those at an elevated relapse risk. Clients in outpatient care generally engage in robust addiction counseling and recovery education, and some also receive medication assisted treatment (MAT).
Inpatient Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
Intensive Outpatient Intensive outpatient programs offer high-level care for clients as an increased risk of relapse, including those in early recovery, those with a strong history of relapse, and those experiencing a crisis. Intensive outpatient treatment typically requires clients to engage in nine to 20 hours of care weekly, with treatment modalities that combine psychotherapy and recovery education, and holistic therapies, such as acupuncture and animal therapy. Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is also common in alcohol and/or opioid recovery.
Aftercare Support Rehab aftercare programs are based on a model of continuing care and the premise that recovery is a life-long process requiring ongoing client support. Many rehab aftercare services include outpatient care, but clients often continue to receive support after being discharged from formal treatment. Case managers and care teams typically collaborate with clients to design their long-term care plan, which may include peer coaching, career counseling, and 12 step program induction, among other services.
Sober Living Homes Residents of a sober living home in Texas reside at the halfway house with others who have agreed to abstain from substances and practice sober-living skills. The relationships and accountability formed here can help individuals strengthen their mental health and achieve long-term recovery. Residents share common spaces such as kitchens and back yards, share meals together, and share household responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning.
Intervention Services A drug intervention in Texas may be necessary if your loved one is in denial about a substance use disorder. You can partner with intervention services to plan and execute an effective intervention that educates your loved one about addiction and encourages them to get the treatment they need. Many rehab centers offer intervention specialists who can facilitate the intervention and help with a seamless transition to inpatient rehab for treatment.
Partial Hospitalization Program Commonly known as "day treatment," a partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers intensive addiction treatment while allowing you to return home each day. It can serve as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization or as a step-down option. Depending on your needs, PHP treatment typically averages 90 days with a weekly requirement of 6-8 hours a day. PHP treatment offers a variety of therapeutic interventions such as individual counseling, group therapy, and psychoeducation. Oftentimes PHP treatment can be fully covered by insurance.
Medically Assisted Detox Ridding the body of harmful, addictive substances, also known as detoxification, is usually the first phase of recovery. Those going through medically assisted detox can be administered medications by a team of medical professionals who are on-site 24/7 to provide different types of therapies that help mitigate withdrawal symptoms.
12-Step 12 step programs promote participants' sustained sobriety through rigorous and ongoing peer coaching and personal spiritual growth. Participants routinely attend 12 step meetings, which are available multiple times per day, 365 days per year in most communities. This ensures that those in recovery have prompt access to the structure and support they need when they need it. These programs use spiritual precepts to address the root causes of addiction and encourage compassion, self-awareness, forgiveness, accountability, and acceptance.
Treatments
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Programs
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young Adult Program
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
LGBTQ Program
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
Military Program
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Clinical Services
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Amenities
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Residential Setting
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Noah Longino
CEO
Nancy Macgregor
CFO
Marcus McCabe, BSN, RN
Director of Nursing
Wendy Hercliff
Director of Admissions
Cynthia Dupre, LPC
Director of Utilization Management
Bryan West
Director of Plant Operations
Morgan Starr, LCSW
Clinical Manager
Todd Dugas, LCSW
Director of Clinical Services
Accreditations
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.
CARF Accreditation: Yes
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
(512) 528-2100 
12550 West State Highway 29
Liberty Hill, TX 78642
Get Help Now - 737-359-2621
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Fact checked and written by:
Amy Ramirez-Leal, MA
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
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