Hi, Im Charis!

Person with curly hair wearing glasses and a patterned blue shirt, sitting at an outdoor table with a tablet, under a white patio umbrella.

LCSW #85970

Charis Stiles, LCSW

I’m a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) living in the SF Bay Area. I provide virtual therapy to folks across California, and I provide trainings for organizations. My approach is gentle, but direct, and with a heavy dose of humor.  I identify as a fat, queer, white cisgender (elder) millennial, managing daily life with an autoimmune disorder. When I’m not working, I’m reading romance novels, watching lots of cat Tik Toks, and trying my hand at ceramics.

I’m a gemini sun/Capricorn moon/gemini rising.

I’m also an educator and activist. I believe therapy is part of the scope of political work. I do this work because I believe intrapersonal healing leads to interpersonal healing, because the personal is political, because what happens on the small scale is reflected on the large scale. I believe therapy can be a radically healing experience. I believe therapy is a vital part of remaking the world into one that actively supports and cares for us and our bodies.

Education and Training

BA Psychology, New College of Florida, Spring 2006

Expressive Arts Therapy, Sky Mountain Institute, Fall 2008

Masters Social Work, UC Berkeley Spring 2010