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MH Portrait of Melva Hartzog

Melva Hartzog

Compassionate, integrative CBT-informed care

LPC Pennsylvania

Experience
3 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy
Languages
English

About Melva

Melva Hartzog is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who supports people coping with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, self-esteem struggles, and a range of other life challenges.

Background and approach

She works with clients facing attention difficulties, bipolar mood concerns, anger, career transitions, and the complex emotions tied to caregiving, abandonment, attachment wounds, and multicultural issues. Her practice also addresses LGBT concerns, women's issues, panic attacks, social anxiety, and questions of life purpose and forgiveness.

Hartzog combines practical, evidence-informed techniques with attention to personal meaning and spiritual perspective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is central to her work, blended with mindfulness practices, existential exploration, and motivational interviewing to help clients examine unhelpful patterns, build coping skills, and clarify values.

As a clinician with a Master of Divinity and multicultural competence, she acknowledges how faith or spiritual beliefs can shape healing and offers integration when appropriate. Clients can expect a warm, nonjudgmental stance that honors each person’s context and goals.

Hartzog emphasizes meeting people where they are and supports development across emotional, social, and vocational areas to promote lasting change and greater personal agency.

Integrating Practical Skills and Personal Meaning Online

Melva Hartzog uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, teaching concrete skills for managing anxiety, depression, panic, and stress. She also draws on Mindfulness Therapy to cultivate present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity, which can be helpful for trauma responses, panic attacks, and emotional regulation.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to assess goals, preferences, and life context, then tailors sessions to blend CBT skills, mindfulness practices, or existential reflection as appropriate. This collaborative planning helps clients feel involved in shaping their care and adapting strategies over time.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for people balancing work, family, or other commitments. These options make it easier to maintain consistent sessions, practice skills between meetings, and access support from Pennsylvania without commuting to a physical office. Licensed professionals can adapt therapeutic tools to each format so clients can make steady progress in ways that fit their schedules and daily lives.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does this clinician commonly address?
The practice supports many concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy-related issues, self-esteem, bipolar, ADHD, and career or life-change challenges.
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
The therapist blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with mindfulness, existential exploration, and motivational interviewing to help clients challenge patterns, manage symptoms, and explore meaning and values.
What is the therapist's background and experience level?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with three years of clinical experience and a Master of Divinity, which informs her integration of spiritual perspectives when relevant.
Where is the therapist licensed and practicing?
She is licensed in Pennsylvania as an LPC with licence details PA LPC PC010406 and maintains practice within that state.
Does the clinician work with clients in other languages or countries?
Sessions are conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered for online work?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressDomestic violenceForgivenessGuilt and shameLife purposeMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational Interviewing

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

Pennsylvania

Languages

English