Therapist profile
Dara Charlton, LCSW
LCSW focusing on relationships and parenting
Continue with DaraAbout
- Client-centered
- Cognitive behavioral
- Mindfulness
About Dara
Dara Charlton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Oregon with 20 years of experience. She focuses on concerns adults commonly bring from home and work, such as depression, anxiety, grief, relationship struggles, parenting strain, and burnout from caregiving.
Dara works with people facing trauma, addictions, eating concerns, sleep problems, anger, and issues with self-esteem. She also addresses intimacy-related worries, family conflict, compassion fatigue, and life changes that leave people feeling stuck. Additional areas include abandonment, attachment issues, blended family concerns, body image, chronic illness or pain, and communication problems.
Her style is client-centered and practical. Sessions aim to clarify what feels most urgent and build skills to manage emotions and daily demands. Dara draws on cognitive behavioral tools, dialectical behavior ideas, emotionally focused work, and mindfulness to help people notice patterns and try different ways of responding.
She helps adults who want clearer communication, steadier mood, or more manageable stress. Work in sessions often includes identifying thought and behavior patterns, practicing concrete coping strategies, and naming emotional needs. The focus is on small, usable changes that reduce pressure at home and in caregiving roles.
Dara encourages collaboration about goals and methods. People who meet with her can expect straightforward conversations about what is getting in the way and what might help next. To begin, readers should confirm the current session options before booking.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Dara uses client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice the thoughts and behaviors that keep them stuck. Client-centered work focuses on listening and building a clear sense of what matters to the person. Cognitive behavioral work looks for unhelpful thinking patterns and practices small behavior changes to reduce distress.She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy ideas, which teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and ways to improve communication during heated moments. That approach can be helpful for strong emotions, parenting stress, and relationship conflicts where people want steadier responses.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dara will talk with the client about goals and try methods that match their needs and preferences. If something does not fit, she and the client will adjust the plan together.
The biography did not list specific session formats, so confirm current online session options before booking. Many people find online sessions easier to fit around work, caregiving, and daily routines. Online meetings can make shorter check-ins possible, avoid travel time, and let clients work on skills between sessions in their usual environment.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
California, Oregon
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, parenting strain, sleep issues, addictions, and related concerns listed in her profile.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is client-centered and practical, using cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, emotionally focused work, and mindfulness to address patterns and skills.
How much experience does she have?
Dara has 20 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oregon working with adults on a wide range of life and relationship issues.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in Oregon and practices there.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats does she provide?
Confirm the current session options before booking, as the biography does not specify which formats are offered.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.