Works with
How Melissa works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW, CSW
- Licensed in
- Colorado
- Years in practice
- 10
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Melissa
Melissa McDonald Wertz is a licensed clinical social worker in Colorado with ten years of experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, trauma, anger, and other life changes. Her approach is down-to-earth and welcoming so people can talk honestly about what’s hard for them.
She keeps sessions interactive and practical. Melissa focuses on giving concrete tools people can use between meetings. She emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and works to make clients feel heard and respected from the first session.
Background and approach
Melissa uses a mix of approaches tailored to each person. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts, mindfulness to build present-moment awareness, and motivational strategies to support change. She also incorporates trauma-focused ideas when past events keep causing problems today.
Her background includes roles as a therapist and a case manager, which inform a practical style that balances problem solving with emotional support. She has worked across a range of concerns including hospice and end-of-life counseling, veteran and armed forces issues, and process addictions. Melissa offers therapy in English and is available to clients outside the U.S.
Sessions are conducted using multiple online formats, and scheduling follows a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, a short matching questionnaire pairs the client and a scheduling step follows.
What Melissa works with
Everything Melissa lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Melissa's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Paranoia
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Approaches Melissa lists
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Melissa’s approaches shape online care
Melissa uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help people spot and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, anger, and many everyday stresses because it focuses on practical skills and exercises.She also draws on mindfulness therapy to help people notice thoughts and feelings without getting swept up in them. Mindfulness can reduce reactivity and improve sleep and concentration over time. Motivational interviewing is used when someone feels stuck about change; it supports personal motivation and helps set clear, manageable goals.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work together. Melissa will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what feels helpful. She adapts methods over time so sessions stay focused on what leads to progress for that individual.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video allows face-to-face conversation and guided exercises, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat works for shorter check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection and quick questions between meetings. These options offer flexibility to fit therapy into busy schedules and changing needs.
Questions people ask about Melissa
What concerns does Melissa address?
She supports people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, grief, anger, sleep and eating problems, self-esteem, career strain, and related life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and interactive. She focuses on building a trusting relationship and teaching concrete tools people can use outside sessions.
What experience does she bring?
Melissa has ten years of experience working as a therapist and case manager, which she draws on to combine emotional support with practical problem solving.
Which credentials and location are listed?
She holds LCSW and CSW credentials and practices in Colorado.
In what language are sessions offered and are international clients served?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be delivered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.