Dara Charlton, LCSW

Dara Charlton is an Oregon licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience helping adults navigate stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship concerns. She practices with a straightforward, calm manner so people can talk about hard things without feeling judged. Sessions focus on real-life skills and clearer thinking that clients can use between meetings.

Her work blends cognitive behavioral ideas with client-centered listening and emotion-focused strategies. That means she helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, name strong feelings, and try small behavior changes to test what helps. Mindfulness and DBT-informed skills add tools for managing intense emotions and staying present.

Dara often supports people facing life transitions, caregiver strain, chronic illness, and complicated grief. She also addresses intimacy-related issues, body image, addiction concerns, and problems that show up in close relationships. Practical communication skills and boundary work are common goals in her sessions.

With a focus on clear steps, she helps clients build routines for better sleep, reduce avoidance, and manage anger. Therapy can include role plays, thought records, emotion regulation exercises, and mindful attention practices. Treatment plans are adjusted to fit each person’s pace and priorities.

Her approach is collaborative: she and the client set goals together and track progress. Sessions are offered via video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

Online approaches that match your needs

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. It emphasizes clear steps and tools that people can practice between sessions.

Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening without judgment and helping people clarify their own goals. It is useful for building self-understanding, improving self-esteem, and navigating life transitions where the person needs support to decide next steps.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT-informed skills, offers practical techniques for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening communication. These skills are often paired with mindfulness practices to help someone stay present during hard moments.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative effort. The therapist will discuss concerns, try different techniques, and adapt plans based on what the client notices is helpful. Goals and strategies are set together so the work fits the client's life and values.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is good for face-to-face conversation and skills practice. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text work well for quick reflections, ongoing support between meetings, and when writing feels more comfortable. These formats make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into a busy schedule.