Mara Chiles, LCSW
Experienced LCSW focused on practical support
Details
| Name | Mara Chiles |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | New York |
| Licensed in | New York |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 22 |
About Mara
Mara Chiles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New York who helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, relationship struggles, and parenting challenges. She draws on 22 years of clinical work to guide people through life transitions and ongoing concerns like chronic illness, caregiving strain, and job-related stress. Her style is direct and caring.
She listens first and then works with each person to set clear, realistic goals.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on strengths and practical steps people can use between meetings. Mara uses several therapeutic approaches to match what a person needs. She blends Narrative Therapy to revisit personal stories, Client-Centered methods to center the person's experience, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
She also draws on psychodynamic ideas and mindfulness practices when those fit. She understands issues connected to aging, blended families, addiction, chronic pain, cancer, and abandonment concerns. Mara also connects people to community resources when extra support is needed beyond counseling.
Her approach aims for steady progress rather than quick fixes. Conversations are practical and rooted in real life. Mara emphasizes collaboration so people leave sessions with clear next steps and tools to try on their own.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Grief among the things Mara works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Depression
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Intellectual disability
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Mara among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Mara among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Mara among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Mara among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Mara directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Mara directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and Practical Approaches Work Online
People often use Narrative Therapy to make sense of life events by reexamining the stories they tell about themselves. This helps with issues like grief, relationship problems, and identity shifts by separating the person from the problem and opening up new possibilities. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and shaping the work around the person’s own goals; it helps when someone needs a steady, nonjudgmental space to talk and to build self-confidence. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets specific thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, or addictive patterns, offering clear exercises and experiments to try between sessions.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has helped in the past. Together they will decide whether narrative work, CBT tools, or a client-centered stance - or a mix of these - makes the most sense for the situation.
Online therapy formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video lets people use face-to-face dialogue, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat supports shorter check-ins, and messaging is useful for ongoing reflection and quick touchpoints. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving, and other daily demands while keeping the clinical work collaborative and focused on real-life change.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does Mara work with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and parenting challenges, addictions, bipolar concerns, and trauma or abuse.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is listening-based and collaborative, focusing on strengths and clear goals. Sessions combine empathy with practical steps you can try between meetings.
What background and experience does she bring?
Mara has 22 years of clinical experience and works as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has helped people with life transitions and caregiving or aging-related stress.
Where is Mara located and what are her credentials?
She practices in New York and holds the LCSW credential, listed as NY LCSW.
Which languages are used in sessions and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available online?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.
How does payment or cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Mara are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Mara where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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