Merle Montalvo, LCSW

Merle Montalvo is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, and self-esteem concerns. She also supports people facing life changes, career questions, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, compassion fatigue, and ADHD-related challenges. Merle views change as possible at any stage of life. She chose social work during a midlife transition and uses that experience to relate to others making big shifts. Her tone is practical and encouraging, with an emphasis on small, steady steps rather than big promises. Her work draws on 23 years of clinical experience across settings. That background includes outpatient clinics, inpatient care, intensive outpatient programs, home health, and hospice. Those varied roles inform how she tailors care for different life situations. Merle uses a mix of methods to fit each person’s needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior. Mindfulness practices can calm the nervous system and improve focus. Solution-focused and motivational techniques support clear goals and workable next steps. She brings a human-centered outlook and respects each person's cultural background. Merle aims to listen carefully, set realistic goals, and track progress together. Her approach emphasizes practical tools, reflection, and steady movement toward better day-to-day coping.

How CBT and Mindfulness Work Online

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Online CBT sessions typically involve identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, trying small behavior changes between sessions, and tracking results to see what helps most. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus. These practices can be guided during video sessions or reinforced via short exercises shared in messaging between meetings. Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will help the client choose methods that match their goals, needs, and daily routine. That collaboration means approaches can change over time as progress is made. Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls let people use visual cues for deeper conversation. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging support quick check-ins, brief skills practice, or continuing work between longer sessions. Together these approaches and formats offer flexibility, clear skill-building, and continuous support so people can practice changes where they live and work.