- LCSW Colorado
- CBT and mindfulness
- 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 works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, anger, and related issues. She also supports people with sleep or eating problems, parenting strain, career stress, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.
Her sessions are interactive and straightforward. She places value on the relationship with the person in front of her and uses that connection to help people talk through what’s happening. Conversations focus on practical skills and building insight to reduce reactivity and manage strong feelings.
She draws from a mix of approaches rather than a single method. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques feature in sessions to change patterns of thought and increase awareness of emotional triggers. Motivational interviewing is used to clarify goals and strengthen commitment to change.
When trauma or long-standing distress is present she uses trauma-focused methods alongside solution-focused work to set small, achievable steps. Sessions may include skill practice, tracking patterns between sessions, and short exercises to test new ways of responding.
Her background as a case manager informs a practical focus on real-life problems and resources. She has experience with hospice and end-of-life concerns, veteran and armed forces issues, process addictions, prejudice and discrimination, and seasonal affective disorder. Conversations are plain, direct, and aimed at helping people handle anger and related struggles with clearer tools.
How her approaches translate to online work
Melissa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors; CBT helps when anger comes from automatic thoughts or workplace and relationship triggers. Mindfulness Therapy is used to increase present-moment awareness and reduce impulsive reactions by practicing attention and breathing skills. Motivational Interviewing helps clarify what someone wants to change and builds commitment to small, realistic steps.Choosing the right mix of approaches is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to figure out which methods fit their goals and preferences. That decision is revisited as therapy progresses so the plan can be adjusted based on what helps most.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the current online options before booking. Many people find online sessions make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Online sessions can support practicing skills in everyday routines and help apply techniques directly to real-life situations.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Colorado
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, anger, relationship and family issues, sleep and eating problems, and related concerns.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is interactive and relationship-focused. She uses practical conversation, skill practice, and short exercises to help people change reactions and coping habits.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience working as a therapist and case manager in clinical settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and CSW based in Colorado.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment or cost work?
Cost varies with location and services use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.