New York Creative Therapists

• Visual arts and drawing
• Sculpture and 3‑D materials
• Music and voice
• Digital media and technology
• Storytelling and writing
• Dramatic play and role‑play
• Theater improvisation

Creativity is used to:

• Explore issues from new angles
• Access thoughts and feelings that are hard to put into words
• Develop insight and self‑awareness
• Practice new ways of responding to life's challenges

This approach is especially helpful for adults who feel stuck in purely verbal therapy or who process the world in non‑traditional or more creative ways.

Evidence‑based approaches used in adult therapy

Many adult therapists at New York Creative Therapists have additional training in evidence‑based and trauma‑informed models, which may include:

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Somatic Experiencing
• Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‑CBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Ecotherapy
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

The exact methods used vary by therapist and are tailored to each client.

Qualifications of adult therapists

• Adult therapists are licensed to practice creative arts therapy in New York State (LCAT) or hold other appropriate mental health licenses.
• They complete a master's‑level training program and required supervised clinical hours.
• Therapists receive ongoing supervision and continuing education to stay current with research and best practices.

What to expect in the therapist relationship

• Your therapist acts as a skilled listener, observer and guide, rather than simply giving advice.
• Together you clarify concerns, identify patterns and beliefs, and explore both verbally and through creative work.
• As insight deepens, you can experiment with new behaviors, coping strategies and relational patterns in and out of session.

Common reasons adults seek therapy here

Adults may come to New York Creative Therapists for help with, for example:

• Anxiety, overthinking and difficulty relaxing
• Trauma and post‑traumatic stress
• Depression and low mood
• Relationship or family issues
• Grief and loss
• Identity exploration, including gender and sexuality
• Burnout, stress and difficulty balancing work and life
• Creative blocks and self‑expression challenges

Therapy is collaborative and paced according to each client's needs and readiness for change.

Art therapy services

What is art therapy?

Art therapy at New York Creative Therapists is a specialized form of psychotherapy that combines traditional talk therapy with non‑verbal, creative interventions. Clients use art‑making to:

• Explore thoughts, feelings and beliefs
• Process conflict, stress, trauma or loss
• Increase self‑awareness and coping skills
• Experiment with new perspectives and solutions

The focus is on the process of creating, not artistic skill or final products.

Who art therapy is for

Art therapy is offered for adults, teens, children and families. It is suitable for:

• People who feel stuck in traditional talk therapy
• Clients who find it easier to express themselves visually than verbally
• Children and teens, whose first languages are often play and creativity
• Adults wanting to reconnect with creativity as a coping tool

No prior art experience or talent is required.

Art materials and studio environment

Art therapy may include many types of media, such as:

• Drawing and painting
• Collage and mixed media
• Weaving and fiber arts
• Clay, plaster and sculpture
• Photography and digital art
• Printmaking and animation

Sessions usually take place in art studios where clients can choose familiar materials or safely experiment with new ones. Working with materials can help clients:

• Get "out of their heads" and into their bodies and emotions
• Organize thoughts visually
• Try out new ways of solving problems and responding to stress

Training and credentials of art therapists

• In New York State, art therapists are recognized as mental health practitioners.
• They complete a master's degree in art therapy and supervised clinical experience.
• To practice in New York, they hold the LCAT (Licensed Creative Arts Therapist) credential.
• Many are also board‑certified (ATR‑BC) at the national level.
• Ongoing continuing education is required to maintain licensure.

Art therapists' training is on par with other licensed professionals who provide psychotherapy in New York.

Relationship to traditional talk therapy

• Art therapy can be used instead of or alongside traditional talk therapy.
• For some people, talking alone leads to intellectual understanding without change.
• Because art therapy is action‑based, it supports taking small, safe risks and experimenting with new behaviors, which can make insight more actionable.

Length of treatment

The length of art therapy varies widely and depends on:

• The issues being addressed
• Client goals and preferences
• How quickly changes are integrated into daily life

Some clients experience meaningful shifts quickly; others choose to continue art therapy longer‑term for ongoing support and self‑connection.

Insurance and payment for art therapy

• New York Creative Therapists accepts multiple insurance plans.
• Art therapy sessions are billed using the same codes as standard psychotherapy, so coverage and reimbursement are generally similar to traditional talk therapy when benefits apply.
• The practice also offers some lower‑cost options through its internship program.

Specific coverage depends on each client's insurance plan.

Dance‑movement therapy

What is dance‑movement therapy?

Dance‑movement therapy at New York Creative Therapists integrates movement and dance with psychotherapy to improve mental and emotional well‑being. Sessions may include:

• Relaxation and grounding techniques
• Gentle or expressive movement
• Improvisational dance or movement to music
• Mindful awareness of bodily sensations while discussing life issues

The focus is not on performance or skill, but on using the body as a pathway to awareness, healing and integration.

How dance‑movement therapy helps

• Increases awareness of how emotions and experiences are held in the body
• Offers tools for resilience and coping with stress
• Provides a way to process traumatic material stored in the body
• Helps reduce tension, pain and a sense of disconnection from self
• Supports feeling more whole, present and alive

Introducing movement into therapy, at a pace that feels safe, can sometimes accelerate the therapeutic process.

Who it is for

Dance‑movement therapy can benefit:

• Adults and teens seeking a more body‑based approach to therapy
• People who feel uncomfortable or disconnected from their bodies
• Clients working through sexual or physical trauma (using a trauma‑informed, paced approach)
• Individuals curious about integrating movement, creativity and psychotherapy

No dance experience is necessary. A willingness to experiment with movement is enough.

Licensing and professional standards

• Dance‑movement therapy is a licensed creative arts therapy profession in New York State.
• Practitioners at New York Creative Therapists hold appropriate licensing (such as LCAT) and training in both movement and psychotherapy.

Frequently asked themes

• Do I need to be a dancer?

No. Dance‑movement therapy does not require any prior dance training. Movements are tailored to each person's comfort level and abilities.

• What if I feel self‑conscious moving in front of someone?

Feeling nervous is common. A core goal of dance‑movement therapy is to help you take up space and be seen safely, building comfort and acceptance of your body over time.

• Is this appropriate if I have a history of trauma?

Yes, many people with histories of sexual or physical trauma find dance‑movement therapy helpful. Therapists work slowly and collaboratively to reinforce safety, reconnect with positive sensations, and support healing.

• Email: messages@nycreativetherapists.com
• Phone (voicemail only): (347) 721‑3200

Clients can also reach out through contact and inquiry forms linked from service pages (for example, "Find a Therapist" or "Need Help Choosing a Therapist?" forms).

Locations and formats

New York Creative Therapists offers services in:

• Williamsburg, Brooklyn – in‑person sessions in a creative therapy studio
• Cold Spring, Hudson Valley – in‑person sessions in a studio setting
• Online / virtual therapy – sessions held remotely for clients who prefer or need teletherapy

Types of services available

Examples of services offered include:

• Adult individual therapy using creative arts
• Child therapy and play therapy
• Teen therapy
• Parent–child therapy and family therapy
• LGBTQIA‑affirming services
• Ecotherapy (outdoor therapy that incorporates nature)
• Art therapy, drama therapy, dance‑movement therapy, music therapy and expressive therapy

Availability of specific services and clinicians may vary by location and over time.

Insurance and payment overview

• The practice accepts multiple insurance plans and participates in some ACA health plans.
• Sessions are billed using standard psychotherapy billing codes, even when creative arts therapies are used. When benefits apply, coverage is generally similar to traditional talk therapy.
• An internship program allows the practice to offer some lower‑cost treatment options while training new creative therapists.

Details such as in‑network plans, copays and deductibles depend on each client's insurance and may change over time.

First steps for new clients

To explore starting therapy:

1. Reach out by email or voicemail, briefly noting who is seeking therapy (adult, teen, child or family) and the type of help you are looking for.
2. Or submit an inquiry form from a relevant service page (for example, adult therapy, art therapy or child therapy).
3. The practice will follow up to discuss needs, location (Brooklyn, Cold Spring or virtual), and payment/insurance options, and to help match you with an appropriate therapist when possible.

If you have detailed questions about insurance coverage, availability or matching with a specific therapist, it is best to contact the practice directly.

Practice overview

New York Creative Therapists is a New York State licensed psychotherapy practice specializing in creative arts therapies. The practice has been serving the community since 2009.

The team provides creative psychotherapy that integrates art, drama, movement, music, play and expressive therapies for:

• Adults
• Teens and adolescents
• Children
• Parents, families and caregivers
• LGBTQIA+ clients and those who do not "fit into a box"

Therapy is offered in person and online.

Mission and philosophy

• Provide effective psychotherapy in a nurturing and creative environment.
• Promote a healthy balance of work and play in clients' lives and in the therapists' own work.
• Advocate for equal access to the creative arts therapies for all.
• Reduce barriers to treatment, including stigma, financial, socio-cultural, racial and geographic barriers.
• Challenge the white, euro‑centric bias in traditional psychotherapy and open the field to more racially, socially and culturally competent models.

Founders and team

• Co‑founded by Drena Fagen and Nadia Jenefsky, who met working as art therapists in an alternative justice program for youth in NYC.
• The practice has grown to a multi‑therapist team serving hundreds of clients per week.
• Therapists are licensed creative arts therapists (LCATs) or other licensed mental health professionals with master's‑level training, supervised clinical experience and ongoing continuing education.
• The practice trains new therapists through a graduate internship program, which also supports some lower‑cost treatment options.

Locations and formats

New York Creative Therapists offers services in:

• Williamsburg, Brooklyn – in a creative studio environment.
• Cold Spring, in the Hudson Valley – also in a studio setting.
• Online / virtual sessions – for clients who prefer or need teletherapy.

Sessions typically take place in art studios or creative therapy spaces, where clients can use art materials and other creative tools during therapy.

Populations and concerns addressed

Therapists work with:

• Adults seeking individual therapy or creative approaches beyond traditional talk therapy.
• Teens who benefit from visual art, drama, written word and music to express themselves.
• Children who communicate best through play and creativity.
• Parents and families needing help with connection, conflict and behavior patterns.
• LGBTQIA+ clients and others wanting affirming, creative and identity‑supportive care.

Concerns commonly addressed include:

• Anxiety, overthinking and difficulty managing emotions.
• Trauma and trauma recovery.
• Grief and loss.
• Relationship and family conflict.
• Life transitions and self‑exploration.
• Focus, motivation and performance challenges.

Therapy approaches and modalities

New York Creative Therapists integrates:

• Creative arts therapies
• Art Therapy
• Drama Therapy
• Dance‑Movement Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Expressive Therapy
• Play‑based approaches for children and families
• Ecotherapy (outdoor sessions incorporating nature)

• Evidence‑based and trauma‑informed models (training varies by clinician), such as:
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Somatic Experiencing
• Trauma‑Focused CBT
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Therapists combine creative, non‑verbal methods with verbal psychotherapy to help clients gain insight, process emotions, and experiment with new ways of coping and relating.

Lists York, Mission, Spring, Jersey City, Brooklyn, Clay, New York City, and Williamsburg as a location. Names New York, Rockville, Spring, Jersey City, and Brooklyn as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

New York Creative Therapists provides creative arts therapy and play therapy for children. Therapists:

• Use art, movement, drama and play to engage children in their natural language
• Help children identify and build on existing strengths
• Teach new skills to handle stress, big feelings and behavior challenges

Common reasons families seek child therapy include:

• Difficulty adjusting to divorce, separation or other family changes
• Grief after the death of a loved one or pet
• Anxiety and difficulty regulating emotions
• Family conflict
• Noticeable changes in mood, sleep, appetite or school performance
• Risk‑taking or self‑destructive behaviors
• Low self‑esteem or negative self‑image
• School stress, test anxiety, bullying or peer pressure
• Trouble forming or maintaining friendships
• Problems managing screen time and social media
• Experiences of trauma, such as abuse, accidents or community violence

Age range

• Typically, the practice works with children approximately 5 years and older.
• Younger children or children with greater challenges may be better served in parent‑child therapy, where a parent participates in the session.

Intake process and structure of treatment

Initial intake appointment

• The first appointment is usually with the parent(s)/caregiver(s) alone, without the child.
• The therapist gathers background information about the child's history, current concerns and family context.

Ongoing sessions

• Child sessions: Weekly sessions are generally recommended to build consistency and a trusting relationship.
• Parent sessions: At least one parent session per month is recommended, with more as needed.
• The overall length of treatment depends on the severity of concerns and how much the child's environment can support change.

Role of parents and caregivers

Parent involvement is considered an important part of child therapy:

• Most child issues do not occur in isolation; parents are usually a key part of the solution, regardless of the cause.
• Parents can provide essential information and observations that children may not be able to communicate.
• Therapists offer tools and strategies for managing behavior and supporting emotional growth at home.
• Reinforcing therapy work at home can speed progress and make changes more enduring.

Preparing your child for therapy

Parents are encouraged to:

• Be honest and age‑appropriate when explaining why the child is going to therapy.
• Clearly name the issue (for example, difficulty getting along with friends, big feelings after a divorce, trouble focusing at school).
• Emphasize that the therapist will meet with the child and with the parents to help everyone work together.
• Let the child know that anything they want to talk about or create in session is welcome, including both difficult and enjoyable topics.

Privacy and communication

• Children benefit from having some privacy in their therapeutic relationship.
• Parents are encouraged to ask gently about sessions but not pressure the child to share details.
• Therapists schedule regular parent meetings to provide updates on progress and treatment goals, even when children prefer to keep some session content private.

Why creative arts therapies help children

• Play and art are children's natural languages for making sense of the world.
• Creative arts therapists are trained to interpret themes and patterns in children's play and artwork.
• Using art and play can make concepts from approaches such as CBT more accessible and age‑appropriate (for example, turning worksheets into visual or creative activities).

Overall, play therapy and creative arts therapies help children access and express difficult feelings safely, develop new coping skills, and strengthen relationships with caregivers.

The organization is an approved NYS CE provider for:

• LCSW
• LMSW
• LCAT
• LMHC
• LMFT
• Licensed Psychologists

Trainings are designed to be practical, creative and clinically grounded, helping providers stay inspired and expand their therapeutic toolkit.

Example training

An example of a CE offering listed on the website is:

• Art and Creativity for Therapeutic Benefit – 20 CEs

Offered in a series format (previously noted as Fridays, 11:30 am–1:00 pm).

Specific dates, times and course availability can change; the most current information is posted on the practice's website and registration pages.

Who trainings are for

• Licensed mental health professionals seeking NYS‑approved CEs
• Creative arts therapists wanting additional tools and perspectives
• Therapists from other disciplines who wish to bring art, movement, drama, music and play into their work in an ethical and effective way

How to learn more

Professionals interested in CE offerings can:

• Visit the CE Trainings section of the New York Creative Therapists website for current courses and schedules.
• Contact the practice by email (messages@nycreativetherapists.com) or voicemail (347) 721‑3200 with questions about upcoming trainings or registration.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.