- Client-centered approach
- Mindfulness practices
- Relational focus
About Dara
Dara Charlton is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Oregon with 20 years of experience. She focuses on helping adults work through depression, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, and other stressors. Dara aims to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk about what matters most to them.
Her approach is client-centered and practical. She helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, practice new skills, and build healthier emotional habits. Sessions often include mindfulness tools and emotion-focused work to increase self-awareness and improve communication.
Dara has worked with people facing complex life events such as chronic illness, caregiver stress, and trauma. She also supports those dealing with intimacy-related concerns, body image, addiction, and recovery from abandonment or attachment wounds. Her background includes long-term clinical practice across varied settings, giving her experience with many different life challenges.
In session she uses clear, down-to-earth language. She helps clients set small, doable goals and practices between meetings. This includes coaching in coping skills, addressing sleep and eating concerns, and strengthening boundaries and relationships.
Many people come to Dara when they need help navigating change, rebuilding after loss, or managing intense emotions. She works with each person to develop a plan that fits their goals and daily life.
Her approach is client-centered and practical. She helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, practice new skills, and build healthier emotional habits. Sessions often include mindfulness tools and emotion-focused work to increase self-awareness and improve communication.
Dara has worked with people facing complex life events such as chronic illness, caregiver stress, and trauma. She also supports those dealing with intimacy-related concerns, body image, addiction, and recovery from abandonment or attachment wounds. Her background includes long-term clinical practice across varied settings, giving her experience with many different life challenges.
In session she uses clear, down-to-earth language. She helps clients set small, doable goals and practices between meetings. This includes coaching in coping skills, addressing sleep and eating concerns, and strengthening boundaries and relationships.
Many people come to Dara when they need help navigating change, rebuilding after loss, or managing intense emotions. She works with each person to develop a plan that fits their goals and daily life.
How therapy approaches translate to online sessions
Dara blends client-centered work with elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. Client-centered work focuses on listening closely and helping people set goals that matter to them. CBT involves noticing unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce distress. Mindfulness teaches simple attention and breathing practices to help with anxiety, sleep, and emotion regulation.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dara will talk with each person about goals and preferences, and together they will choose which techniques to try. She adjusts the focus over time based on what feels useful and what fits daily life.
Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can help fit work, caregiving, or medical schedules by reducing travel time and making it easier to add short check-ins. It can also allow focusing on skills practice and communication work in the rhythms of regular life rather than requiring long commutes.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
California, Oregon
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Dara help with?
Dara supports adults coping with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief, and related concerns like sleep and eating issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a client-centered style combined with practical techniques from CBT, DBT, EFT, and mindfulness to help people notice patterns and try new ways of coping.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of life challenges and emotional concerns.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
Dara is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Oregon.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Dara?
Click the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.