Merle Montalvo , LCSW

Merle Montalvo is an LCSW who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, and trauma. She also supports those facing career changes, compassion fatigue, ADHD concerns, and life transitions. Her work reflects a focus on women's issues among other areas she lists.

She describes choosing social work as a midlife change and brings 23 years of experience to her practice. That background includes outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient program (IOP), home health, and hospice settings. These varied roles shape how she responds to different life challenges.

Her style is flexible and down-to-earth. She uses a mix of methods so sessions match what each person needs. Conversations aim to be practical and focused on what feels achievable in day-to-day life.

Clinically she draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thinking patterns. She also uses mindfulness practices to help people notice thoughts and feelings without getting swept away. Solution-focused ideas help set small, concrete goals and track progress.

She values cultural background and shared human experience while treating each person as an individual. The tone in sessions tends to be respectful and encouraging, with an emphasis on realistic steps forward.

Merle holds a Master of Science and practices in Mississippi. She speaks English and offers sessions using multiple online and remote formats to fit different needs. The approach is collaborative, aiming to find what works for each person over time.

Approaches that translate to online care

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. It often uses clear steps and homework to practice new skills between sessions.

Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to help people notice their thoughts and feelings without getting swept away. It can help with stress, rumination, and managing strong emotions when they arise.

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative way of talking that helps people find their own reasons to change. It is useful for tackling ambivalence around career shifts, lifestyle changes, or building new routines.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work together with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences, and can combine techniques as needed. That collaboration helps shape a plan that feels useful and realistic.

Online formats offer practical benefits. Video calls let people keep visual contact while connecting from different places. Phone sessions require less bandwidth and can be easier during a busy day. Live chat and text-based messaging support shorter check-ins, tracking progress, or communicating when writing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, caregiving, or other commitments.