- Practical coping steps
- Calm and focus
- Goal oriented
About Merle
Merle Montalvo is an LCSW based in Mississippi who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, anger, low self-esteem, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes. She also supports concerns such as compassion fatigue, ADHD, relationship and family issues, career transitions, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster. She writes plainly and aims to make therapy feel practical and doable for people in difficult moments.
Merle began her social work career after a midlife transition of her own, and she often draws on that experience when helping others navigate change. She has worked across outpatient care, inpatient settings, intensive outpatient programs, home health, and hospice. That variety shaped a flexible way of working and a focus on what helps each person now.
Her approach blends several methods so sessions match what a client needs. She uses cognitive behavioral ideas to notice patterns and try different behaviors. She uses mindfulness to build attention and calm. Solution-focused strategies help set small, reachable goals.
Sessions focus on clear steps and real-life problems. Merle listens for what matters most, then helps people try new ways of coping. She aims to help people make changes that fit their everyday lives.
Merle holds a Master of Science and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, LCSW. She has practiced for 23 years and works with adults in Mississippi who want practical support for life stressors and recovery after difficult events.
Approaches used online and in session
Merle often draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT is practical and useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and mood difficulties. Mindfulness therapy is used to build present-moment attention and reduce reactivity; it can help with anxiety, grief, and managing strong emotions. Motivational interviewing helps people clarify what matters to them and find the internal reasons to make changes, which is helpful for career shifts, lifestyle changes, and sustaining new habits.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Merle works collaboratively to see which methods fit a person's needs, goals, and preferences. She listens to what the client hopes to change, then suggests techniques to try and adjusts them based on feedback.
Confirm current session formats before booking because the biography does not list specific options. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by removing travel time and allowing appointments from different locations. It can also offer shorter check-ins when a full session is not needed, or alternatives that reduce the need to be on camera. Talk with the therapist during scheduling to learn what formats she currently offers and which will best match day-to-day routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Credentials
Mississippi
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, anger, low self-esteem, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include compassion fatigue, ADHD, relationship and family issues, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses an eclectic, practical style that adapts to each person. Sessions tend to focus on small steps, coping strategies, and clearer thinking.
How much experience does she have?
She has 23 years of experience working in outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient program, home health, and hospice settings.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
She holds a Master of Science and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, practicing in Mississippi.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats.
How does payment or cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.