Melissa McDonald Wertz, LCSW, CSW

Licensed in Colorado · 10 years in practice

License and registration

LCSW, Colorado: CSW.09923891 · expires August 2027
NPI: 1861723249 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 10
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Melissa

Melissa McDonald Wertz is a licensed clinical social worker in Colorado who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, and life changes. She brings ten years of experience as a therapist and case manager to her work. Melissa aims to make starting therapy easier for people who are worried or unsure where to begin.

Her approach is warm and interactive. She focuses on building a trusting relationship so people feel heard and safe to talk about difficult issues.

Background and approach

Sessions move at a person's pace and blend practical skills with space to process strong emotions. Melissa uses a mix of methods rather than a single technique. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

She adds mindfulness to help people notice the present moment and reduce reactivity. Motivational interviewing is part of her toolkit to support people who are unsure about change or who struggle with addictive behaviors. Melissa also uses trauma-focused work when past events continue to cause distress.

Her style is collaborative - she helps people set goals and chooses strategies that fit their needs. She has worked with clients facing hospice and end-of-life issues, veterans and armed forces concerns, process addictions, and problems related to prejudice and discrimination. Melissa offers care in English and accepts international clients for online work.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Melissa lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

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 names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Therapeutic tools for online care

Melissa often uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy in online sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, and many everyday challenges. Mindfulness therapy teaches noticing the present moment and gentle awareness techniques, which can reduce reactivity and improve sleep and emotional regulation.

She also uses motivational interviewing to help people who feel stuck or ambivalent about change. That approach centers on exploring personal motivation and building small, achievable steps toward goals. Choosing the right mix of methods is collaborative - she works with each person to decide what fits their needs, goals, and preferences as therapy unfolds.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for in-depth conversations and nonverbal cues. Phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for a quick check-in. Live chat and messaging suit brief updates, ongoing coaching, and people who prefer writing. These options offer flexibility to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or travel schedules while keeping treatment consistent.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Melissa help with?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, parenting strain, sleep and eating problems, bipolar concerns, and career or life transitions.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style is warm and interactive and focuses on building a trusting relationship. Sessions combine practical skill-building and conversational processing so people can make steady progress.

How much experience does she have?

She has ten years of experience working as a therapist and case manager in clinical settings.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds LCSW and CSW credentials and practices from Colorado.

Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin the process?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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