Drena Fagen is a co-founder of New York Creative Therapists who specializes in working with adults, teens, and families.

Drena Fagen, LCSW, LCAT

Co-founder, Art Therapist, Clinical Social Worker

Cold Spring

Openings in January 2025
For over 20 years, Drena has approached her work as therapist and educator with curiosity, empathy, and humor. Integrating talk therapy with an overflowing creative arts therapy toolbox, she can help you see your problems more clearly, giving you a starting point to improve relationships and get unstuck from unintentional habits and beliefs so that you can feel better about yourself. Creativity is the process of discovering something new. So is therapy! Drena works best with people who are willing to experiment with small changes in their daily life, to make those new discoveries. She is an expert in helping families with children and teens improve communication, reduce conflict, and increase connection.

Education and Certifications

NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist
NYS Licensed Clinical Social Worker

MPS in Art Therapy from Pratt Institute
MSW from New York University
BFA in Graphic Design from University of Florida
PCIT training from Child Mind Institute
ACT training from Psychwire
Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYU Silver School of Social Work 2008-2021

Specialties

Adults
Teens and Tweens
Parenting and Family Dynamics
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Art Therapy
Professional trainings

More Info

Humorous Validation video “It’s Not About the Nail” 

Alan Fruzzetti Relational Mindfulness for High Conflict Families

Lives in the Balance Collaborative Proactive Solutions for Parents and Children

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Wise Minded Parenting: Raising Successful Teens & Tweens  by Laura S. Kastner

Insurance Drena can accept

”I feel like we all grow up with a lot of ‘rules’ about how things are supposed to be; how things should be done. I like to get curious about who made those darn rules and giving ourselves permission to change a few of them.”

Something that matters to me

This picture captures the essence of art therapy, as I see it.  An art therapy session is a moment to yourself in the midst of turmoil and chaos—whether in your life or the  chatter of your head. It can be the medicine for figuring out how to be okay. Making art in a therapy session invites us to consider different ways of understanding our life experience.  The process rarely disappoints and can be remarkably enlightening.