- Person-centered listening
- Practical skills
- Trauma-informed care
About Dara
Dara Charlton is an Oregon-based licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 20 years of practice supporting adults through hard places in life. She focuses on common painful states like depression and anxiety, and on relationship tensions, grief, and recovery from trauma. Dara aims to build a calm, steady space where people can begin to sort problems and feel steadier day to day.
Her approach centers on the person in front of her. She uses client-centered methods to listen closely and help people name what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to spot thought and behavior patterns that keep problems going. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are added when emotions feel overwhelming.
Dara often works with people facing life transitions, caregiving strain, chronic illness, or issues around body image and intimacy. She also supports clients coping with natural or human-caused disaster and the stress that follows those events. Many bring concerns about sleep, addictions, eating, or persistent low mood.
Sessions focus on practical skills and clearer communication. Dara helps people try new ways of organizing thoughts and managing strong feelings. She also guides conversations about attachment, boundaries, and rebuilding trust after hurt.
Her style is warm and direct. She helps clients set realistic goals and track small changes over time. To begin, a short matching questionnaire and scheduling step connects people to her practice so they can take the next step toward feeling more capable.
How Dara blends therapy approaches for online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person's experience. The therapist follows the person's lead, helps them name what matters, and supports self-directed goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches simple exercises to test and shift unhelpful patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds clear, teachable skills for managing intense emotions and tolerating distress.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work together. Dara will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. She collaborates with each person to try strategies, adjust them, and decide what helps most over time.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by removing travel time and allowing appointments during breaks or evenings. It also supports consistent weekly check-ins, helps practice skills between sessions, and can let people join from quieter surroundings or when in a different part of the state. Licensed professionals tailor pacing and tools so online work feels practical and focused on day-to-day improvement.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
California, Oregon
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Dara help with?
Dara supports adults with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, addictions, sleep problems, and related concerns such as body image and intimacy issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and warm, with practical tools drawn from CBT and DBT when helpful to manage thoughts and intense emotions.
What experience does she bring to sessions?
She brings 20 years of clinical experience working with adults through life transitions, trauma recovery, caregiving stress, and chronic illness challenges.
Where is Dara licensed and based?
She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Oregon.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.