I’d rather be honest with you than polite.
A warm, direct CBT therapist for teens, young adults, and adults in Portland.
About Marie
Marie Sarte, LCSW
I’m Marie Sarte, a licensed clinical social worker in Oregon. My style is warm and direct: I listen closely, I say what I see, and we figure out the next practical step together.
Background
I earned my master’s in social work at The University of Chicago, with an emphasis in Clinical Practice. That training shaped how I think about people: in context, with their families, cultures, and pressures in the room too.
I have over 20 years of experience and have been in private practice since 2009. Before Portland, I spent a decade as a clinical social worker in racially and ethnically diverse community mental health clinics in Oakland, California, worked with teenagers and young adults in the foster care system, supervised clinicians, and ran a solo private practice.
I’m a second-generation Filipino American. I know what it’s like to carry expectations from more than one world at once, and I don’t ask clients to leave any part of themselves at the door. Many clients have told me they feel comfortable sharing hard experiences because I identify as a person of color. They can tell that I get it.
I work with teens, young adults, college students, and adults. BIPOC, LGBTQ, and neurodiverse clients are welcome here, and you won’t need to explain the basics of who you are before we get to work. The practice operates as Talk Matters Inc.
- License
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oregon · L16802
- Training
- MSW, University of Chicago
- Experience
- 20+ years; private practice since 2009
- Practice
- Talk Matters Inc.
- Where
- Online in Oregon; In person at 1125 SE Market St, Portland, OR 97214
License status checked against the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers registry in October 2026.
Practical skills only stick when you trust the person you’re practicing them with.
Who I Work Best With
People who are ready to look inward.
My favorite clients are engaged, self-aware, and honest with me, even when it is uncomfortable. Honesty in therapy is a gift that comes back to you.
I especially enjoy working with teenagers and young adults, including college students, and with adults at a turning point: a break-up, a new job, a new baby, a move.
How I Show Up in Sessions
- 01
Warm
You’ll be met with care, not a clipboard. Hard things get said here without judgment.
- 02
Direct
If I notice a pattern, I’ll name it kindly. You can always push back.
- 03
Collaborative
You are the expert on your life. We set goals together and check in on them regularly.
Consultation
Free, 15 minutes
A short call to see whether working together makes sense.
Sessions
50 minutes, weekly
Online in Oregon; In person at 1125 SE Market St, Portland, OR 97214. Rates are on Services and Rates.
Cancellations
48 hours notice
Rescheduling within the same week counts as a reschedule, not a late cancellation.
FAQ
About Working With Me
Do you only use CBT?
CBT is the frame: thoughts, feelings, and actions feed each other, and small changes loosen the cycle. Inside that frame the work is conversational and shaped around you, not a workbook.
Where do you offer online therapy?
I practiced full time in Oakland for years. In Oregon I hold LCSW license L16802. Online care is offered to clients in Oregon.
Do you see teenagers?
Yes, and I enjoy it. Teens and young adults are a big part of my practice. For a minor, a parent or guardian is part of the first conversation.
See if we’re a good fit.
A free 15-minute consultation is the usual first step.