Marea Murray , LCSW

Marea Murray is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 36 years of clinical experience supporting individuals and couples through a wide range of concerns. She has worked extensively with addiction and codependency, LGBTQI and sexuality matters, anxiety, depression, trauma, and related challenges, bringing a steady, compassionate presence to each therapeutic relationship.

Her practice addresses stress, relationship difficulties, self-esteem struggles, and trauma and abuse, while also focusing on aging and geriatric issues, body image, caregiver stress, communication and family of origin issues, HIV / AIDS, isolation and loneliness, life purpose, veteran and armed forces issues, post-traumatic stress, prejudice and discrimination, self-harm, self-love, sexuality, and social anxiety and phobia. She draws on a range of clinical approaches to meet clients where they are and to adapt care to individual needs.

Marea approaches therapy as a collaborative process and values learning alongside the people she works with. She uses client-centered perspectives and skills-based methods to help clients build insight, resilience, and practical coping strategies. Based in California and offering services in English, she is not currently accepting new clients.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Marea Murray integrates client-centered therapy, mindfulness therapy, and motivational interviewing into her online work. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and collaboration, helping clients explore identity, relationships, and self-esteem at their own pace. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-focused awareness and simple attention practices that can reduce stress and support emotional regulation for anxiety and trauma recovery. Motivational interviewing focuses on resolving ambivalence and strengthening motivation for change, which can be useful for addiction, caregiving challenges, and other behavior-focused goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Marea works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts techniques as the work unfolds.

Online therapy with Marea offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and shorter exchanges can occur via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make therapy more accessible for people with busy schedules, mobility limitations, caregiving responsibilities, or those who prefer remote care, while still allowing for meaningful therapeutic connection with licensed professionals and therapists.