- Client-centered methods
- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practices
About Mara
Mara Chiles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New York with 22 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, addictions, parenting strains, and trauma and abuse. Mara also supports concerns such as self-esteem, career challenges, bipolar mood issues, and family-related problems.
She draws on strengths-based conversation to set clear goals with each person. Sessions involve active listening and practical discussion rather than long lectures. Mara often uses cognitive behavioral ideas to spot unhelpful thinking and narrative techniques to look at life stories in new ways.
Her background includes a Master of Social Work from Hunter School of Social Work in New York City and more than two decades of counseling experience. She has worked with people facing aging-parent care, chronic illness, addiction, and major life transitions. As a social worker she also helps connect people to community resources when that will be useful.
Mara describes her approach as blending psychodynamic perspectives with client-centered methods and mindfulness practices. That means she pays attention to patterns from the past, what matters to the person now, and simple tools for staying present. Sessions are practical and focused on agreed goals.
People can expect straightforward talk about problems and options. The therapist aims to identify small, workable steps toward change. Before scheduling, readers should confirm current session formats and any logistics they need to know.
How Mara’s approaches translate to online work
Many of Mara’s methods adapt well to remote sessions. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and building goals together, which works in conversation whether in person or online. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) concentrates on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes, which can be practiced between sessions and reviewed remotely. Mindfulness therapy teaches short attention and breathing exercises to manage stress and anxiety that can be guided in a session and used day to day.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the early work. Mara collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their needs and goals. She will help pick practical techniques and check in about how they are working over time.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking, since specific formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, family, or medical appointments and can reduce travel time. Some remote options also allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight or audio-only sessions when bandwidth is limited. Confirm the current session formats and any technical details before scheduling to make sure sessions fit into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
Mara works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, addictions, parenting concerns, trauma and abuse, and related family and career problems.
How would she describe her approach in sessions?
She uses active listening and practical discussion, combining client-centered work with cognitive behavioral ideas, mindfulness, narrative methods, and psychodynamic perspectives.
How much experience does she have?
She has 22 years of clinical experience counseling a wide range of concerns and populations in New York.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New York and practices in New York.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified here; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions billed?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.