Merle Montalvo , LCSW

Merle Montalvo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Mississippi with a deep commitment to helping people navigate major life changes. She converted to social work as a midlife transition and carries a long-held belief that reinvention is possible at any stage - a perspective shaped by making a new life more than 30 years ago. Her work blends practical skill and human understanding to support clients facing stress, anxiety, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family challenges, trauma and abuse, career concerns, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and the many shifts that come with aging or caregiving.

Merle brings broad clinical experience across outpatient, inpatient, intensive outpatient program (IOP), home health, and hospice settings, which informs a flexible, client-centered approach. She describes her practice as eclectic, drawing from cognitive behavioral methods, insight-oriented and humanistic perspectives, wholistic practices, and solution-focused techniques so that treatment can be tailored to each person’s needs. As an LCSW Merle holds license MS LCSW C5031, which designates her as a licensed clinical social worker in Mississippi. She aims to meet clients where they are and collaborate on practical strategies that support recovery, resilience, and clearer direction during periods of transition and stress.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support and Change

Merle draws on evidence-informed techniques to support change in an online setting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is practical work that often helps with anxiety, depression, stress, and problem-solving in daily life.

Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on strengths and short-term goals, helping clients identify what is already working and build small, achievable steps toward desired outcomes - a useful approach for life transitions, career concerns, and relationship adjustments.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-focused awareness and simple practices to reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation, which can help with chronic stress, grief, and coping with difficult emotions.

Finding the right fit is part of the process. Merle will collaborate with each client to determine which approaches match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting methods as progress unfolds. Online sessions offer practical flexibility - video calls and phone sessions allow for face-to-face conversation, while live chat and text-based messaging provide shorter, more frequent check-ins. These options make therapy more accessible for people balancing work, family, caregiving, or mobility challenges and support consistent progress across changing schedules.