Dara Charlton

Dara Charlton is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Oregon and California with 20 years of experience as a therapist and health coach. Based in Oregon, she has worked with people facing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, career stress, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, and the effects of physical trauma or emotional abuse.

Her counseling approach is down-to-earth and nonjudgmental. Dara emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she listens with an open heart and mind to each person’s story. She blends evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic approaches, and rational-emotive counseling, adapting conversations and treatment plans to fit each individual’s needs.

Dara has a particular interest in supporting people with complex presentations, such as chronic medical concerns, mood instability, anxiety, self-harm behaviors, suicidal thinking, and trauma symptoms. Together with clients she explores thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to identify what maintains self-limiting patterns and to build practical skills for a more peaceful, fulfilling life. She remains committed to ongoing learning and continues taking courses to refine and tailor her work.

Outside of clinical work, Dara enjoys visiting family in Los Angeles and watching her daughter dance. She is passionate about juicing and spin class, and her dog Sailor, a Havaton (half Havanese, half Coton de Tulear), is her best friend.