Dara Damico, LCSW - Therapist in New York

About Dara

Dara Damico is a licensed clinical social worker with 26 years of experience in New York. She focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, and related concerns. Dara uses practical, evidence-informed methods to help people facing emotional and life challenges.

She aims to create a calm setting where parents and individuals can talk through immediate problems and plan clear next steps. Her style is direct and compassionate. Sessions tend to be conversational and goal-oriented.

Background and approach

Dara helps clients notice patterns, learn new skills, and try small changes between meetings. She draws on familiar tools like thought work, emotional regulation skills, and mindfulness exercises. Dara’s background includes long clinical experience treating mood disorders, substance use issues, and trauma.

She blends cognitive behavioral skills with emotion-focused work to address both thinking and feeling. That mix supports people who want practical solutions and deeper emotional shifts. She also uses dialectical behavior therapy strategies to teach distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness.

Mindfulness practices are woven in to reduce reactivity and increase present-moment awareness. These approaches are chosen to match each person’s needs and pace. Dara holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential - LCSW - in New York (NY LCSW 101727).

Sessions are offered in English and available through several online formats. The focus includes parenting-related stress among other life and mental health concerns.

Online approaches that balance skills and emotion

Dara most often combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotionally-Focused Therapy when working online. CBT helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which is useful for anxiety, depression, and many daily stressors. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful emotional patterns and connection issues, which can help with intimacy-related struggles and deeper emotional wounds.

She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to teach distress tolerance and emotion regulation. Those skills help when feelings feel overwhelming and when someone needs steadier ways to respond in stressful moments. Choosing or blending approaches is collaborative; Dara will work with each person to figure out what fits their goals and comfort level.

Online therapy with Dara is offered using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to attend sessions from home, manage childcare, or fit therapy into a busy schedule. The range of formats also lets people try different ways of working and pick what feels most useful for learning skills and tracking progress.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Dara address?

Dara works with many issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, parenting, and intimacy-related difficulties. She also supports people with ADHD, bipolar symptoms, and eating or sleeping concerns.

How would you describe her therapy style?

The approach is conversational and goal-focused with empathy. Dara mixes practical skill-teaching with deeper emotional work so clients leave with new tools and clearer insight.

What experience does she bring?

She has 26 years of clinical experience in New York working with mood disorders, substance use, trauma, and a range of life stressors.

What are her credentials and location?

Dara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - licensed in New York, NY LCSW 101727, and practices from New York.

Which languages are supported and can international clients join?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

What formats are available for sessions?

Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what works best for the client.

How are costs handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What is the first step to begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's listed availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 26 years
Licensed: New York
Languages: English

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