LCSW-Therapists

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

Register entry

Dara Charlton, LCSW

Compassionate practical therapy for life changes

DC Portrait of Dara Charlton
Book with Dara
Credential held
LCSW
Practises from
Oregon
Years in practice
20
Languages
English
Methods listed
9
Sessions
Online

About Dara

Dara Charlton is a licensed clinical social worker with twenty years of experience helping adults through hard moments. She uses practical, person-focused therapy to help people manage anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship struggles. Dara works in Oregon and speaks English.

Dara centers sessions on the person in front of her. She listens, then helps people break problems into small, manageable steps. That might mean learning ways to cope with overwhelming feelings, improving communication, or finding new routines for sleep and eating.

Book with Dara Now Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

Background and approach

Her approach mixes client-centered care with skills-based work. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She also uses mindfulness and emotion-focused methods to build awareness and stronger emotional connections.

Dara has supported people with a wide range of concerns. These include stress, trauma and abuse, addictions, intimacy-related issues, caregiving strain, chronic illness, and changes tied to aging or life transitions. She also addresses body image, attachment and abandonment worries, and challenges tied to blended families and kink culture.

Sessions aim to be straightforward and collaborative. Dara helps people set clear goals, practice new skills between meetings, and track small changes over time. Her style is warm and nonjudgmental while still practical.

If someone wants to start, they use the site’s Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability. Dara’s Oregon licensure is OR LCSW L3826 and CA LCSW 20389.

How Dara’s approaches translate to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on understanding each person’s experience and priorities. Online sessions let the therapist listen closely and follow the client’s lead, helping people name goals and decide small steps to try. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, uses clear links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. In remote sessions this looks like identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, practicing alternative responses, and tracking progress between meetings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, brings skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships. Online DBT-style work often combines short coaching on skills with regular practice of emotion regulation and distress-tolerance tools.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist and the person meet and discuss what feels most useful. Together they adapt methods to match the client’s goals, pace, and everyday life.

Online formats - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week. Video lets people maintain visual connection for deeper emotional work. Phone sessions remove the need for high bandwidth and can be easier on low-bandwidth days. Live chat and text are useful for brief check-ins, skill practice, and when someone prefers writing to speaking. These options support consistent practice and flexible scheduling with licensed professionals.
Book with Dara Now Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Dara address?
Dara helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship difficulties. She also supports those coping with trauma, addiction, caregiving strain, body image, and sleep or eating issues.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style combines a client-centered stance with practical skill teaching. Sessions focus on listening, setting goals, and practicing manageable tools between meetings.
How long has she worked in this field?
She has twenty years of experience working with adults on emotional and life challenges. That experience informs both depth-oriented and skills-based approaches.
Where is Dara licensed and based?
She is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Oregon. License details include OR LCSW L3826 and CA LCSW 20389.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are fees and getting started handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
20 years
Licensed
California, Oregon
Languages
English