- Strengths-based
- Goal focused
- Compassionate listener
About Mara
Mara Chiles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in New York. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, addiction, parenting challenges, and codependency concerns.
She brings 22 years of clinical experience to sessions and combines active listening with compassion. Mara looks for a person’s strengths first and then works with them to set simple, realistic goals. Her style is interactive and direct, with a focus on practical steps people can try between meetings.
Mara draws on several approaches when they fit a person's needs. She uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors. She also works from a psychodynamic perspective to notice patterns that repeat across relationships.
Mindfulness and narrative work are part of her toolkit too. Mindfulness helps people manage stress in the moment, while narrative methods help people rethink the stories they tell about themselves. She also connects people to community resources and systems when practical support is needed.
Mara aims to support lasting change through a holistic approach. She emphasizes ongoing empowerment rather than quick fixes, and she encourages small, manageable steps toward goals. Prospective clients can expect straightforward conversation and a plan that fits their daily life.
How her approaches translate to online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a collaborative relationship, helping people feel heard while they name their goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors, offering practical exercises people can try between sessions to reduce anxiety or mood symptoms. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to manage stress in daily life and to notice reactions without judgment. Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Mara will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and then recommend a mix of methods to try. The plan can be adjusted as progress is made so the approach stays relevant and useful. Confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, avoid travel time, and try shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let people use techniques at home between meetings, which supports practice and progress over time.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Credentials
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Mara commonly help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems, addictions, parenting struggles, codependency, and related issues.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Mara combines active listening with an interactive, compassionate approach and focuses on a person’s strengths to set agreed-upon goals.
What kind of professional background does she have?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 22 years of counseling experience and a graduate of Hunter School of Social Work.
Where is Mara licensed and practicing?
She holds a New York LCSW and practices in New York.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with Mara?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process to work with her?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist’s availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.