Andrea D'Amico, LMFT

08/25/2026

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain"

Dolly Parton

07/29/2026

One Carleton Green, a 96-unit affordable housing development in the Town of Islip in Suffolk County on Long Island, has begun to fill its units less than a year after construction began. The development includes 15 units set aside for people with developmental disabilities, with services provided by OPWDD service provider Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. [FREE]. The project revitalized former industrial lots and will now provide essential supportive housing with many conveniences close to public transportation.
https://loom.ly/W-0PIm4

07/25/2026

Sometimes we get so caught up in our routines that we forget to pause and reconnect with ourselves.

Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit stuck, so yesterday I decided to try something completely different.

It challenged me and reminded me that growth doesn’t always come from having the answers. Sometimes it begins with curiosity, presence, an open mind, and simply saying yes to a new experience.

Spending time in nature, being present with horse Leo, and listening to the goats and roosters helped me slow down, feel more grounded, and reconnect with myself in a way I didn’t realize I needed.

I’m leaving with a lot to reflect on and feeling grateful for the reminder that sometimes the space we need to move forward is found by slowing down. ❤️ Thank you Laura Kobus!

07/15/2026

In therapy (and life!), we often look for the big milestones to prove we're growing. But some of the most profound progress happens in the moments no one else sees—like choosing a deep breath over a reactive comment or recognizing a boundary you didn't have a year ago. What’s a 'small win' you've had this week? I’d love to celebrate it with you in the comments. ♥️

07/14/2026

As a therapist, I’m often talking with clients about something we don’t celebrate enough: small wins.

Real change usually doesn’t happen in dramatic, movie-worthy moments. It happens through repetition, consistency, and patience.

I’ve been seeing this firsthand with my rescue dog, Pippa. We’ve been practicing one simple cue—“place”—for weeks. This morning, for the first time, she stayed calmly in her crate while I prepared her breakfast without getting up.

To someone else, that might seem like a tiny accomplishment.

To me, it’s evidence that trust and emotion regulation is growing.

Whether we’re healing from anxiety, rebuilding a relationship, changing old habits, or helping a fearful dog feel safe, progress is rarely linear. Some days feel like setbacks. Other days, you suddenly realize you’ve reached a milestone that was impossible just weeks before.

Celebrate the small victories. They aren’t separate from the journey—they’re exactly what the journey is made of.

What’s one small win you’ve had recently?

07/10/2026

One of the most powerful things we can do for someone who is struggling is to simply validate their feelings. You don't need to have the 'right' advice—you just need to show them they aren't alone. What is one phrase that has helped you feel seen during a hard time? Let's share some supportive words in the comments. ❤

06/28/2026

Today marks five years since my father died. It was sudden.. I wasn’t ready. Is anyone?

One of the things we know from grief research is that loss is a universal part of being human, and grief is one of the ways we respond to it. While grief is nearly universal, the way we experience and express it is deeply individual. And despite how common it is, grief can also be incredibly isolating.

One reason for that isolation is that many people are afraid to talk about someone who has died. They’re worried they’ll make the grieving person “more sad.” But the reality is, we haven’t forgotten. We carry our loved ones with us every day. Saying their name or asking about them doesn’t create the sadness—it creates connection.

If someone you care about has experienced a loss, don’t be afraid to ask about the person they miss. Ask what they were like. Invite them to share a favorite story. Share a memory of your own if you have one. Those conversations can be a profound reminder that their loved one is remembered, too.

Grief doesn’t have an expiration date. It changes over time, but love doesn’t end when someone dies. Neither do the stories that keep them present in our lives.

Today, I’m remembering my dad with such gratitude—for the time we had, the lessons he taught me, and the ways he continues to shape who I am. If you have someone you’re remembering today, I hope you’ll tell a story about them or invite someone else to do the same.

06/01/2026

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03/08/2026

When I brought my rescue dog Pippa home two weeks ago, she didn’t p*e for two whole days! My vet called it an acute stress response—basically, her body didn’t feel safe enough yet to relax. And that got me thinking about relationships. When we humans don’t feel emotionally safe, we hold back too—maybe not our bladder, but our trust, our vulnerability. John Gottman talks about how trust and emotional connection are built in small, consistent moments of attunement—feeling safe. Just like Pippa needed time and predictable care to settle in, we need that emotional safety to open up and connect. Whether it’s a dog or a person, feeling safe is where trust begins. It’s the most important gift we can give ♥️

03/08/2026