- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness practices
- Solution-focused work
About Merle
Merle Montalvo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Mississippi with 23 years of experience. She works with stress, anxiety, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, and life changes including career shifts and compassion fatigue.
She turned to social work during a midlife transition and often references that change when supporting others. Merle draws on a long background across outpatient care, inpatient settings, intensive outpatient programs, home health, and hospice. That range informs how she prioritizes practical steps in sessions.
Her style blends several approaches so sessions are straightforward and focused. Merle uses cognitive behavioral ideas to notice unhelpful thought patterns and solution-focused methods to set small, achievable goals. She also brings mindfulness practices and elements of psychodynamic thinking when exploring deeper patterns over time.
In the room she aims to help people sort what matters now and pick a clear next step. Conversations may include skill practice, reflection on past patterns, and short exercises to try between sessions. She also works with issues such as ADHD, aging and geriatric concerns, caregiving, end-of-life matters, and post-traumatic stress.
Merle provides services in English from Mississippi. Her background across settings means she can discuss practical supports, community resources, and options for care as needed. To begin, people are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session.
How therapeutic approaches fit with online work
Merle commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy in her work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce distress, which can help with anxiety, low mood, and specific worries. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve daily coping for stress and grief.She also draws on Motivational Interviewing to clarify what matters most and support small, realistic changes. That approach helps when someone is unsure about taking the next steps. The therapist and client decide together which methods to use, adapting over time based on goals and what feels most useful.
Because session formats are not specified in the biography, confirm current online options before booking. Many people find remote sessions easier to fit into a workday, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or let them avoid travel time. The therapist will discuss practical arrangements and scheduling during the matching process so sessions can fit everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Listed in
Mississippi
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, trauma and related life changes such as career shifts and caregiving challenges.
How does she approach therapy?
Her approach mixes cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, motivation-enhancing conversation, psychodynamic reflection, and solution-focused steps to set short-term goals.
How much experience does she have?
She has 23 years of professional experience across outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient, home health, and hospice settings.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds an MS and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Mississippi.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions arranged and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start if I want to meet with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.