MM Portrait of Marea Murray

Marea Murray, LCSW

Calm, practical help for anxiety and stress

36 years in practice · based in California · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Marea

Marea Murray is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 36 years of experience supporting people facing anxiety, stress, trauma, and concerns about sexuality and identity. She offers straightforward, practical help and listens closely to each person's story. Her approach is warm and down-to-earth, aimed at making therapy feel usable in day-to-day life.

Over a long career she has worked with people coping with relationship strain, codependency, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

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Background and approach

She also addresses issues such as self-esteem, social anxiety, body image, and the effects of prejudice and discrimination. Marea draws on several therapy styles to meet the needs that show up in sessions. Her methods include client-centered ways of working that focus on each person's perspective and strengths.

She uses mindfulness practices to help calm the nervous system and somatic techniques to bring awareness to how the body holds stress. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused tools are used to set small, achievable steps forward. Marea offers sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different rhythms and preferences.

Appointments are typically scheduled on weekdays. She aims to create an atmosphere where practical progress and emotional safety can coexist. People often start by sharing what feels most urgent, then map out a few immediate steps.

Over time the work can shift toward longer-term patterns such as family of origin issues, life purpose, or recovering from past abuse.

How client-centered and mindfulness approaches work online

Marea commonly uses client-centered therapy to center each person's experience. This approach begins by listening and reflecting so goals arise from what matters to the person. It suits concerns like anxiety, relationship stress, and questions about sexuality.

She also incorporates mindfulness practices to help reduce anxious thoughts and bring attention to the present moment. Simple breath and grounding exercises can be taught and practiced during sessions to manage stress and improve focus. Somatic techniques may be used to notice how stress appears in the body and to learn gentle ways to release tension.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to try methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences and adjust as progress unfolds. Sessions often mix listening, skill-building, and short homework tasks designed to create change between meetings.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for brief reflections, quick coaching, and staying connected between longer sessions. These options help people make therapy fit work, caregiving, and daily life.
Book with Marea Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What concerns does Marea address?
She works with anxiety and stress, trauma and abuse, relationship concerns, LGBT and sexuality questions, and self-esteem issues. Additional areas include social anxiety, body image, caregiver stress, and isolation.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Marea uses client-centered care, mindfulness, somatic techniques, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused methods. Sessions tend to be practical and focused on small steps people can try between appointments.
How long has she practiced?
She has 36 years of professional experience working with adults on anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and related concerns.
What credentials and region apply?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in California.
Can sessions be done in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available?
Appointments are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
36 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

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