Lauren de la Vega is a licensed creative arts therapist who specializes in art and ecotherapy.

Lauren de la Vega, LCAT

Art Therapist, Ecotherapist

Cold Spring and Virtual

Accepting New Clients

Lauren is an art therapist with a warm and inviting presence. She is passionate about the relationship between creativity and the natural environment, often facilitating therapy outdoors and offering natural materials in the creative process. Her approach allows those that work with her to explore their inner landscapes and initiate change when they’re ready. She believes that everyone is inherently creative, and with support, everyone holds the inner strength to overcome challenges and thrive. In sessions, Lauren integrates humor and self-disclosure when appropriate, fostering a genuine and relatable connection with her clients. Lauren is an outdoor guide, long-distance backpacker, and wilderness first responder. In her own healing, Lauren finds collage, poetry and nature connection to be especially helpful.

Education and Certifications

NYS Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT)
National Board-Certified Art Therapist
MA in Creative Arts Therapy from Hofstra University
Core Calm© Ecotherapy Certification from Integrating Nature
DBT skills training for adolescents and families

Specialties

Art Therapy
Anxiety and Depression
Nature-informed therapy
Outdoor hiking/walking sessions
Interest in grief work

Pronouns

she/her

Favorite Resources and Inspiration

“Therapists Trade the Couch for the Great Outdoors” – NYT Article

Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone (book on climate anxiety)

Everything is an Emergency by Jason Katzenstein (OCD graphic novel)

Nedra Glover Tawwab on Instragram @nedratawwab (relationships & boundaries)

Insurance Lauren can accept

“My approach to therapy recognizes the importance of processing feelings creatively, and also learning to sit with those feelings. We can challenge ourselves, and also learn to leave ourselves alone. There’s a dance between resilience and rest that I find crucial for personal growth.”

This picture is something that matters to me

It’s important for me to carve out alone time to nurture my own creativity – even if it’s just a few minutes of writing poetry or assembling a collage. This allows me to self-reflect, recharge, and ultimately be more present in my relationships with others. I’ve learned that when life gets busy, scheduling this time is especially important.