The rating of 5 stars is based on the overall experience as a student, the compassion of staff, and the diverse curriculum, and personal growth that prepared me to be a Psychologist. I chose Meridian University for the holistic and integrative approach to psychotherapy. The programs there offer students the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. The staff was supportive throughout the time I attended especially when an unanticipated crisis arose that affected my ability to navigate the tumultuous waters of life. I felt deeply held with compassion as well as being offered the tools and resources that were essential to my successfully completing the coursework that otherwise might have been an impossibility in a larger academic setting. The diverse curriculum prepared me as a clinician through practice during coursework that rose out of experiential hands-on activities guided by practitioners in the field. The first-hand knowledge I gained has enhanced my ability to learn and grow emotionally and spiritually which is where the true preparation for being a psychologist happens.  In my current employment setting, I find the somatic training I received to be invaluable with the population I serve as well as being able to put into application other modalities that I learned. My relationships with family, significant other, and co-workers improved which I attribute to the focus Meridian places on transformative learning and the cohort model. Additionally, if you are looking for a program that has a focus on making a true difference in the world and a desire to influence cultural change Meridian offers this as an integral part of the curriculum. The program is great for learning how to work with trauma and develop skills that offer a diverse approach to being a practitioner.