Amy Clay, LPC

03/31/2026

🌀 Free Community Event: Live Discussion with Deb Dana, LCSW​​
Friday, April 24, 2026, 12:00pm-1:00pm ET
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You're invited to a special live-online discussion with Deb Dana, LCSW, —renowned polyvagal expert, Co-Founder, and Course Partner at PVI.

This free community event is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the leading voices in the field of Polyvagal Theory. Deb will answer your questions, share practical insights, and offer guidance on how to apply polyvagal principles in your own life and work. Whether you’re just beginning your polyvagal journey or have been integrating the theory for years, you’ll leave with renewed inspiration and deeper understanding. This is a special chance to connect not only with Deb, but also with fellow students and practitioners from around the world who share your commitment to creating safety, connection, and healing.

We can’t wait to come together, learn, and be inspired by Deb’s wisdom and warmth—you won’t want to miss this special event!

Deb Dana is a co-founder of Polyvagal Institute.
*Please note: a recording of this event will be available for two weeks following the live discussion, and is only accessible to those who register. We hope you can join us!

Register at polyvagal.org/events

03/26/2026

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The healthiest thing you might do this year? Not hustle harder. Not optimize your morning routine. Not add ten new goals.

Just… talk about it. ☀️

Talking makes things lighter. It creates space between stimulus and response... that small, powerful place where growth lives.

Follow along for more! 🧡

https://sunstonecounselors.com/why-mental-health-therapy-belongs-on-your-new-years-resolution-list/

03/24/2026

Meet Maria D’Agostino, MA, an artist, documentary-lover, traveler, and proud Northern Virginia native with deep Southern Italian roots (Naples holds a special place in her heart 🇮🇹).

Maria is both a Resident in Counseling and Art Therapy, offering clients a powerful way to express emotions, regulate feelings, and explore their inner world, no artistic experience required.

She works with children, teens, and adults using an integrative, strengths-based approach that draws from CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, developmental, play, and sandtray therapies. Maria is especially passionate about supporting neurodiverse clients, individuals with disabilities or chronic illness, and those exploring identity and life transitions.

If you’re curious about working together, Maria offers in-person sessions in McLean and virtual sessions across Virginia. 🧡

https://sunstonecounselors.com/counselor/maria-dagostino-ma/

03/24/2026

Sunstone Counseling’s Glen Allen/Richmond office enjoyed a visit yesterday from Carrie Chang, who shared information with our team about Aster Springs, which offers comprehensive care for disordered eating, including Residential Treatment, PHP, and IOP, with options for in-person or virtual treatment. Look forward to visiting Aster Springs this spring!🌷

03/19/2026

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03/19/2026

Yes, in sweatpants.
Yes, with your dog nearby.
Yes, without commuting or rearranging your whole day.

Online therapy removes a barrier, not the depth. You can still cry, laugh, reflect, and grow… just from your favorite chair.

If convenience has been the obstacle, imagine what it might feel like to make it easier on yourself.

Get started! ☀️

https://sunstonecounselors.com/

03/17/2026

Tara Amor 💗 is one of the most compassionate, passionate and dedicated couples therapist Sunstone Counseling. Reach out to Tara to improve your relational and intimate life! https://sunstonecounselors.com/counselor/tara-amor-msw/

03/14/2026

🤭😆

03/12/2026

Reactivity is fast because it is protective. It happens when your nervous system reads something as danger and tries to get relief right now.
Vulnerability is slow because it requires access to the softer truth underneath the protection, and enough safety to let it be seen.

03/10/2026

🎉 I’m thrilled to announce that my “memes” piece is featured in the March/April 2026 issue of Psychotherapy Networker!

✨ 5 Popular Therapist Memes II -https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/article/5-popular-therapist-memes-part-2/

🎧 Plus, for your convenience, you can now listen to the article as an audio file! https://www.psychotherapynetworker.org/article/5-popular-therapist-memes-part-2/

Anyone with an email can access it for FREE! Please do access the piece on their website to help support this amazing publication! 📖 Plus, you can enjoy the entire issue for an immersive reading experience, available through the virtual magazine with beautifully designed pages you can flip through. It's perfect for any e-reader with a web browser or download on your Kindle.

💗Please share the love (carry over from February) with others and repost! It was a fun piece to write and I was tickled PINK (see what I did there?) to have my name next to such amazing folks in the field. I am such a fan girl of Alexandra Solomon‘s work.

Last but not least, who will be at the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium at end of the month in DC? More importantly, what shoes will you be wearing? 👠🩴👡👟🥿

You’ll have to read my little piece to understand what the heck I am talking about. Please share your thoughts and if you will be at the Symposium.

03/09/2026

When teens pull away, it’s easy to panic or assume you did something wrong. But often, pulling back isn’t rejection. It’s communication.

Adolescence is full of big emotions, identity shifts, social pressure, and internal worlds that are hard to explain out loud. Therapy gives teens a neutral, supportive space to sort through what they’re feeling, learn how to name it, and build tools to cope without worrying about disappointing anyone.

Support doesn’t always mean pushing closer. Sometimes it means giving them a safe place to land while they figure things out. 🧡

☀️ See our therapist bios to find someone who supports teens and families to take the next step.

https://sunstonecounselors.com/find-your-counselor/