Adrienne Licari, LCSW-R

Most people who find their way here are standing in the middle of change—sometimes quietly, sometimes painfully, sometimes unexpectedly. They’re trying to make sense of what life has handed them and wondering how to move forward without losing themselves in the process.

I know that place well.

I live on the north shore of Long Island with my husband of over twenty five years. Together, we’ve raised three children who are now in different stages of adulthood. As our family has shifted, I’ve found myself entering new chapters too—ones that have allowed more space for curiosity, connection, and rediscovering the things that bring me joy.

You’ll often find me spending time with close friends and family, enjoying the changing seasons of Long Island, taking our dogs out for fresh air and adventure, or saying yes to trying something new—whether that means hopping in the car or getting on a plane. I love comedy, reading, researching things that spark my curiosity, cooking dishes inspired by other cultures, paddleboarding when I can, and—above all—making meaningful memories with the people (and dogs) I love.

That love for people and animals isn’t separate from my work—it’s woven into it.

As new chapters opened for our family, my long-held dream of breeding dogs also became a reality. Our passion for people and dogs is the foundation of our breeding program with our Moyen Parti Poodles at NewYorkPartiPoodles.com. Watching families welcome our puppies into their homes has been unexpectedly profound. Those relationships continue to fill my heart and have added an entirely new sense of purpose and meaning to my life. It’s also been a dream of mine to integrate my dogs into my therapy work within my community—bringing comfort, connection, and grounding in ways only animals can.

At the center of everything I do—whether in counseling or breeding—is relationship.

Why I Do This Work

I believe that when we begin to understand and appreciate the complexity of our life experiences, something shifts. We soften toward ourselves. We develop compassion instead of criticism. And from that place, meaning and connection become possible—both within ourselves and with others.

My own life has shaped this belief deeply.

Early health challenges, the loss of my mother, losing other family members and friends, and navigating the realities of marriage and parenting have all been part of my story. Alongside the grief and challenges, there has also been deep joy, love, laughter, and growth. Like most people, my life hasn’t followed a straight line—but it has consistently been a search for meaning.

I believe we are all here to share our stories and learn from one another. Understanding the stories we tell ourselves—and finding meaning within them—has given me clarity, direction, and a stronger sense of who I am as a woman, mother, wife, friend, dog breeder, and therapist.

That belief guides how I work with others.

How I Help

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Stony Brook, New York. I use a range of evidence-based approaches so therapy feels effective, practical, and tailored to you—not forced into a mold.

My training includes Positive Psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), along with specialized certificates and certifications in the Gottman Method for couples, Columbia University’s Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy (PGDT), and grief education through David Kessler. Currently, I’m training under Dr. Ramani Durvasula to better serve my clients who are healing from narcissistic trauma.

But therapy with me isn’t about techniques first—it’s about understanding you.

I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We work collaboratively, drawing from your strengths, life experiences, values, and goals. I take time to understand your cultural and family background, the roles you’ve held, the experiences that shaped you, and the realities you’re living in now—so you’re seen as a whole person, not a diagnosis.

I won’t tell you what changes you “should” make. My role is to help you become the expert in your own life so that growth continues long after therapy ends. Together, we look at what’s working, what isn’t, and what skills truly support the changes you want.

The foundation of my work is client-centered, non-judgmental, and rooted in genuine compassion. I’m deeply committed to helping individuals and couples navigate anxiety, grief, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges with honesty and care.

I believe it’s possible to embrace all parts of your story—even the difficult ones—with self-compassion, kindness, and acceptance. And I’m here to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your true sense of self and create meaningful, lasting change.