Therapist profile
Melissa McDonald Wertz, LCSW, CSW
LCSW - Stress and family related concerns
Continue with MelissaAbout
- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practice
- Motivational interviewing
About Melissa
Melissa McDonald Wertz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Colorado with 10 years of experience as a therapist and case manager. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting strain, and related issues.
She takes a conversational, interactive approach in sessions. Melissa treats therapy as a collaborative process. She listens to what is happening at home and helps people develop concrete tools for coping and change.
Her work draws from several practical methods. Melissa uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and build different habits. She applies mindfulness practices to reduce reactivity and increase calm. Motivational interviewing is used when someone is weighing change or dealing with addictive behaviors.
Melissa also uses solution-focused techniques to set short-term, achievable goals. For trauma-related concerns she incorporates trauma-focused approaches that prioritize pacing and safety. These methods are combined to suit the person in front of her rather than following one fixed program.
Her background includes direct clinical work and case management, which shapes a pragmatic stance toward problems like hospice and end-of-life concerns, veteran and armed forces issues, process addictions, seasonal affective disorder, and coping with life transitions. She works in English and accepts international clients. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How sessions work
How Melissa uses evidence-based approaches online
Melissa commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices in her work. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people spot patterns of thinking that lead to stress or low mood and then try different behaviors to change those patterns. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing skills to reduce reactivity and increase calm in daily life.She also uses motivational interviewing to support people who are thinking about change, especially around addictions and health behaviors. That approach focuses on the persons own reasons for change and builds momentum in small steps. Choosing an approach is part of the work together; Melissa will discuss what seems most useful based on a person's goals and what they prefer.
Confirm which session formats are offered before booking, since formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. The therapist will adapt techniques so they work well in a remote setting and to fit each person's schedule and practical needs.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Colorado
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of home or family issues does she help with?
She supports people dealing with relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, intimacy issues, grief, and anger. The list also includes stress, anxiety, and addiction-related problems.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Sessions are interactive and conversational. She works collaboratively and focuses on practical tools and short-term goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience working as a therapist and as a case manager. That background informs her practical approach to care.
What credentials and region does she practice in?
She is an LCSW and CSW licensed in Colorado. Her practice and licensure are based in Colorado.
Can she work with people who live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients. Confirm any local rules that apply to receiving services across borders.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. The site matching process will list the formats offered for scheduling.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing details are provided during the matching and sign-up steps.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session through the platform.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.