Therapist profile
Melissa McDonald Wertz, LCSW, CSW
Colorado
LCSW in Colorado - Anger and Stress
Continue with MelissaKey details
- CredentialsLCSW, CSW
- LicenseLCSW, Colorado / CSW.09923891
- NPI1861723249
- Experience10 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationColorado
About
- CBT approach
- Mindfulness skills
- Motivational interviewing
About Melissa
Melissa McDonald Wertz is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Colorado with 10 years of experience as a therapist and case manager. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting challenges, sleeping and eating difficulties, intimacy-related issues, and anger. She also supports those coping with career questions, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and compassion fatigue.
Her sessions are conversational and interactive. She aims to help people notice patterns in thinking and behavior, build practical skills, and set small goals that fit daily life. Melissa uses a mix of approaches rather than a single method, choosing what seems most useful for each person.
Melissa draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot and change unhelpful thinking. She uses Mindfulness Therapy to slow reactions and notice what is happening in the body and mind. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone is ambivalent about change, and Solution-Focused Therapy supports short-term goal work.
She has experience supporting people through grief, hospice and end-of-life questions, veteran and armed forces issues, process addictions, paranoia, and prejudice and discrimination. Her background as a case manager informs practical problem solving alongside talk therapy.
Sessions are conducted in English and she accepts international clients. Before booking, readers should confirm current session options and formats. To start, complete the site matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How sessions work
How Melissa’s approaches translate to online work
Melissa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking. CBT focuses on practical exercises and homework that can be reviewed between sessions to reduce reactivity and manage anger or anxiety.She also uses Mindfulness Therapy to build present-moment awareness and reduce automatic emotional escalation. Mindfulness work involves short practices to improve awareness of bodily sensations and breath, useful when strong feelings arise.
Motivational Interviewing is part of her toolkit for people who feel stuck about making changes. It emphasizes clear, nonjudgmental conversations that explore values and boost commitment to steps the person actually wants to try.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Melissa aims to collaborate with each person to pick methods that match goals, tolerance for change, and day-to-day life. She will review progress and adjust the plan together as therapy continues.
The original biography does not specify session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten check-ins when needed, or avoid travel. Licensed professionals can use the flexibility of remote work while still focusing on skill practice, problem solving, and progress toward concrete goals.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Colorado
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger or related concerns does she help with?
She supports people dealing with anger tied to stress, relationship strain, resentment buildup, work frustration, and related issues like anxiety and grief.
How would she work with my temper in sessions?
The approach is interactive and practical. She uses techniques to notice thinking patterns, practice calm responses, and set small goals to change reactions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience working as a therapist and case manager, including work with trauma, addictions, and grief.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Colorado LCSW and also holds CSW, practicing from Colorado.
Can I see her if I live outside the United States?
She accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English.
What session formats does she offer?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.