Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Depression
How Merle works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Mississippi
- Years in practice
- 23
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Merle
Merle Montalvo is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in Mississippi who helps people manage stress, anxiety, anger, grief, and depression. She offers straightforward support for relationship and family concerns, career transitions, ADHD, and the strain that comes with life changes.
She began social work during a midlife transition and draws on more than 23 years of experience in a variety of settings. That background includes outpatient care, inpatient work, intensive outpatient programs, home health, and hospice.
Background and approach
This range gives her practical perspective on different kinds of life challenges. Her style is adaptable and down-to-earth. She uses an eclectic mix of approaches so the work fits each person’s needs instead of forcing one way of doing things.
Sessions focus on concrete steps, clearer thinking, and noticing what gets in the way of change. Merle often blends techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness with solution-focused strategies and insight-oriented conversation. Together these help people reduce unhelpful thoughts, practice calm responses, and set small measurable goals.
People who meet with her can expect a patient, reflective listener who also offers specific tools to try between sessions. She speaks English and practices in Mississippi as an LCSW. The approach aims to help people feel steadier and more able to manage whatever they are facing now.
What Merle works with
Everything Merle lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Merle's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Merle lists
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-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.
Approaches that translate to online work
Merle commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy in ways that fit online sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors with specific exercises you can practice between sessions. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and support calmer responses to stress and anger.She also brings motivational interviewing when people feel stuck about change, helping uncover personal reasons to try new approaches. Choosing the right method is a collaborative process; Merle will work with each person to pick techniques that match their goals, needs, and preferences and can adjust the plan as progress is made.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls are useful for deeper conversations and demonstrations of techniques. Phone sessions can work well when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and messaging allow shorter check-ins, written reflections, and quick support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and keep consistent momentum toward goals.
Questions people ask about Merle
What kinds of concerns does Merle help with?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, anger, grief, depression, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and other life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is adaptable and down-to-earth, combining practical techniques with reflective, insight-oriented conversation to fit each person's needs.
How much experience does she have?
She brings 23 years of experience working across outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient, home health, and hospice settings.
What are her credentials and location?
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?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by clicking the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.