About Dara
Dara Charlton is an Oregon-based licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience. She focuses on helping adults who are struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, relationship issues, and other stressors. Dara aims to create a warm, non-judgmental space where people can name what hurts and start to make change.
Her work pulls together client-centered listening with practical tools. She helps people notice unhelpful patterns, try new ways of responding, and build emotional skills that make daily life easier. Common themes she addresses include coping with life changes, low self-esteem, trouble sleeping, and compassion fatigue.
Dara also supports concerns around body image, addiction, chronic illness, caregiving strain, and intimacy-related issues. She has experience working through trauma and attachment wounds, and she helps people navigate difficult relationship dynamics and commitment questions.
In sessions she blends approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, emotionally-focused work, mindfulness, and a client-centered stance. That allows her to tailor practical strategies to each person’s needs while holding space for deeper emotion.
People who come for help often want clearer communication, steadier mood regulation, or relief from persistent stress. Dara works with each person to set realistic steps and to strengthen the skills that support lasting change.
How therapy approaches shape online work
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so people feel understood and can clarify their goals. This approach helps when someone needs a gentle, accepting place to talk through stress, grief, or identity concerns.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) uses clear steps to notice thoughts and change unhelpful patterns. It often helps with anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, and eating concerns by giving concrete tools to practice between sessions.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) brings skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better communication. Those tools are useful for managing intense emotions, relationship conflicts, and impulsive behaviors.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to identify goals, try methods that fit their needs, and adjust plans as progress is made. Clients help shape which strategies are emphasized in sessions.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also make consistent skill practice simpler by keeping work centered in the person’s daily routine.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns can be addressed here?
Dara works with adults on issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, grief, eating concerns, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting strain, and coping with life changes. She also addresses a wide range of related topics like body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and compassion fatigue.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
Her style combines client-centered listening with practical techniques from CBT, DBT, EFT, and mindfulness. Sessions mix emotional exploration with skills practice to help people manage symptoms and try new behaviors.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker working with adults across a range of emotional and life challenges.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed as an LCSW in Oregon. Services are offered from that regional base.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Confirm current fees when you start the process.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.