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MW Portrait of Melissa McDonald Wertz
Online therapist

Melissa McDonald Wertz

Compassionate, practical support for life's challenges

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Credentials
LCSW, CSW
Experience
10 years
Licensed in
Colorado
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Melissa

Melissa McDonald Wertz is a licensed clinical social worker in Colorado. She has worked as a therapist and case manager for over 10 years. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, grief, and parenting challenges.

Her manner is warm and interactive, aimed at making people feel safe enough to talk and try new strategies. She centers the relationship as the foundation of her work. That means she listens first and adapts methods to each person’s needs.

Background and approach

Melissa draws from practical approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to teach skills for coping and mood management. Her background includes supporting clients through life changes, end-of-life concerns, and issues tied to military service. She also addresses process addictions, seasonal mood shifts, and problems related to prejudice or paranoia.

This range comes from years of hands-on practice as both therapist and case manager. Sessions are conversational and goal-focused. Melissa uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques to help people set and reach small, doable targets.

She also uses trauma-focused work when past events are getting in the way of daily life. People who come to her often want straightforward tools, steady support, and a partner in planning next steps. Melissa aims to empower people to make concrete changes while honoring their pace and values.

How Melissa’s Approaches Work Online

Melissa uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy in ways that fit online care. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors; it helps with anxiety, depression, and coping skills. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce stress and improve mood, which can be practiced between sessions.

She also uses motivational interviewing to help people clarify their goals and build motivation for change. That approach is brief and collaborative, useful when someone feels stuck or unsure about next steps. Together the therapist and client decide which approach makes the most sense, and they adjust it as work progresses.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people maintain eye contact and use visual materials. Phone sessions work when video is not possible. Live chat and text-based messaging provide short, frequent check-ins and written tools to review later. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy family life while still using structured, evidence-informed techniques.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Melissa address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, grief, parenting, relationship and intimacy-related issues, sleep and eating problems, anger, self-esteem, bipolar concerns, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and interactive. She emphasizes a strong therapeutic relationship and adapts methods to fit each person’s needs.
What training and experience does she have?
She is a licensed clinical social worker with about 10 years of experience working as a therapist and case manager.
Where is she licensed and located?
She holds Colorado credentials as a LCSW and CSW, listed as CO LCSW CSW.09923891, and practices from Colorado.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and the therapist’s availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to start working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
10 years
Licensed
Colorado
Languages
English

Next step

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