Meet The Team

Madeleine (she/they) is a clinical social worker and the founder and director of Meridian Behavioral Health. She is a seeker, a storyteller, and a guardian of the human spirit, navigating the intricacies of personal and professional evolution with tenacity, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity and autonomy. Since August 2018, She has steered the helm of Meridian Behavioral Health Inc. with her individual and divergent spirit, crafting a pioneering and transformative approach to mental and behavioral health. As the Owner and Clinical Director of Meridian Behavioral Health Inc., her vision transcends the confines of conventional approaches, embracing creativity, attunement, and adaptability as guiding principles. From the inception of her practice, innovation, belonging, and creativity have been the compass, leading the practice to embrace evidence-based and emerging methodologies alike and, wherever possible, incorporating culturally attuned, creative, and community relevant practices and ways of knowing. While not working, Madeleine loves to read and tend to her garden or go on long walks with her family and dogs.

Ricki Bloom is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Unceded Tiwa Territory). She has more than 15 years experience working in Social Services including as a Case Manager, Psycho-Social Rehab Facilitator, Program Manager, Individual and Group Therapist. She has created Group Curriculum and provided over 100 Trainings to Agencies and Community Members. She uses a creative, Trauma- Informed approach including the use of Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Empowerment, Experiential Learning, Intersectionality Theory, Mindfulness and Sensory Coping Skills. She also is a Community Organizer and Advocate for Social and Economic Justice.

Laurie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience working in public health, HIV, sexual health, hepatitis, behavioral health and substance use services.  Laurie served on the leadership team at Southwest CARE Center as the Director of Social and Prevention Services for 17 years and contributed to the successful development of an integrated interdisciplinary team approach to healthcare. Creating healthy teams and programs that are responsive to client needs are some of Laurie’s most important goals and skills as a leader.  Recently, Laurie has been honing her therapeutic skills via direct therapy practice, school social work and residential substance use treatment.  Laurie is passionate about creating internal and external environments that allow individuals and families to thrive, grow and participate more joyfully in the world.  Laurie’s values of service, human dignity, gratitude, and health equity drive her personal and professional life.  Laurie is a therapy averse therapist who believes that dancing in the sunshine and long walks in the sand are some of the best medicine for the mind, body and spirit.  

Lindsay has spent the last few years working with vulnerable populations in downtown Albuquerque.  She has experience working with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, substance use, psychotic and personality disorders.  She believes the therapeutic relationship is foundational to having a positive experience in therapy.  Her primary theoretical approach is client centered, and weaves DBT with the empowering work of Feminist and Attachment theories, boundary setting and cultivating a greater sense of self compassion.  She enjoys working with a wide range of clients but has a special affinity for those who are struggling with chronic illness, caregivers and those who have experienced narcissistic abuse.   In her spare time, Lindsay can be found meditating with her local Sangha, hanging out with her kids, gardening, and walking her dog in the Bosque.  

Joseph is a Master's of Social Work student at NMHU and the kitchen assistant at Hopeworks day shelter. He felt the inclination to be a therapist in his later teenage years, after having lived in three countries and seen how meeting with people from different backgrounds helped him understand himself and grow. Joseph believes the most important part of therapy to be the collaborative relationship between client and therapist, in which the therapist prizes their client and is honest and understanding. 

In his free time, Joseph enjoys backpacking, cooking, making coffee, and spending time with his cat, Laila, who does not like posing for photos.

Jess (she/they) is a licensed clinical social worker devoted to helping clients explore their roots and work collaboratively toward healing and freedom. With a deep passion for holistic recovery, Jess is dedicated to assisting individuals, families, and groups to uncover their relationships with substances and addictive behaviors and gain liberation. Jess has developed curriculum and led the implementation of Intensive Outpatient Programs in Albuquerque's recovery community. Jess specializes in childhood trauma & PTSD, body image & eating disorders, substance abuse & recovery, communication & relationships, attachments & codependency, and grief & loss. Jess aims to create a therapeutic, organic, safe, and vulnerable space where clients can genuinely express themselves. As a jewelry artist, Jess has found healing in working with stones, minerals, and metals and encourages the exploration of creative outlets to promote mindfulness and expression through nonverbal and alternative modalities. Born and raised in New York, Jess graduated with a master’s degree in social work from the University at Buffalo. Deeply believing in the abundance of exploration and learning, Jess spent several years abroad working as an educator, counselor, social advocate, and artist. Jess continues to draw from experience and serves as a community coordinator, trainer, and liaison, extending their impact in the field of social work.

Ryanne (she/her) was raised in New Mexico (unceded Tiwa territory) and spent 14 years living in the Pacific Northwest (unceded Coast Salish territory & unceded Multnomah territory). When she had her daughter in 2015 she moved back to her high desert home to connect back to family and community here.

She earned her BA in Sociology with a Natural Resource Focus and a minor in Sustainability in 2022. She has worked in the Natural Foods industry in some capacity for over 20 years. She has a deep interest in learning specifics about the Bioregions where she has resided from the people and animals down to the plants, insects and microbes. She is interested in how she can serve community connecting people with place and is interested in environmental justice and decolonizing. She is a second year MSW student at New Mexico Highlands attending part time. In her spare time she does a fair amount of birding/photography, block print carving as well as personal work with group therapy and spending time learning how to be a better human.

Mikayla (she/her) is from the eastern Navajo Nation in Crownpoint, New Mexico. She has her Associate's degree in Human Services from Central New Mexico Community College. She received her Bachelor's of Social Work at New Mexico Highlands and is currently pursuing her Master's in Clinical Social Work at NMHU. She has worked in community mental health services for the past 2 years. In her free time, she loves to resume her paint by numbers projects, listen to music and attend to her cat.