Mara Chiles, LCSW

Mara Chiles is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New York who helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship conflicts, addictions, and parenting concerns. She also supports people facing caregiver strain and the challenges that come with aging parents and aging and geriatric issues. Her practical approach aims to help people find steady ways forward during hard transitions.

She blends listening with active, interactive compassion. Sessions focus on identifying a person’s strengths and setting clear goals together. Mara draws on cognitive behavioral ideas and psychodynamic thinking to look at current problems and the history that shapes them.

Mara has 22 years of experience working with a wide range of issues, including chronic illness, codependency, career stress, and bipolar concerns. She also brings experience helping with blended family dynamics, communication problems, and substance use difficulties. She connects people to community systems and resources when additional support is needed.

Her style is straightforward and collaborative. She aims to make change feel manageable by breaking goals into small steps. Mindfulness and narrative techniques are used when they fit the person’s needs and preferences.

People meet her when they want practical tools and a clear plan, plus someone who will listen carefully. To begin, clients follow the site process to match and schedule a first appointment based on therapist availability.

How her approaches translate to online work

Mara commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the person’s lead so goals reflect what matters most to them. This approach can help with relationship strain, grief, and caregiver stress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and substance use patterns.

She also draws on Mindfulness and Narrative elements when helpful, using mindful practices to reduce reactivity and storytelling techniques to reframe difficult life events. Choosing the right mix of methods is a collaborative process. Mara works with each person to try approaches that match their goals and preferences and adjusts plans over time based on what is helpful.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking because specific formats are not listed in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. Many people find it simpler to schedule appointments around errands, work breaks, or caregiving duties. Licensed therapists can adapt practical tools and homework for remote sessions to keep progress moving between meetings.