We are pleased to welcome Lee Chasen, Ph.D., R.D.T., L.C.A.T., to Mountain Valley’s clinical team.

Dr. Chasen is an expressive arts therapist and serves as an adjunct to the clinical team for MVTC’s Plainfield Campus and will provide consultation to the expressive arts program on the Pike Campus. Dr. Chasen joins Mountain Valley’s clinical team to facilitate the development and implementation of our robust and clinically integrated expressive arts program.  This unique, contemporary modality in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders differentiates MVTC from other treatment programs. As an adjunct to the clinical team and residential staff, Lee will lead the Expressive Arts groups and has developed a training curriculum for a residential activity therapy module.

Dr. Chasen has a strong background in individual and group clinical work, entrepreneurship, writing, clinical supervision and drama therapy.  He obtained a Ph.D. in 2003 from New York University’s Program in Drama Therapy after receiving a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the same institution. He also has a master’s degree in elementary education from Adelphi University and is a Registered Drama Therapist (R.D.T.) with the North American Drama Therapy Association and is a New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (L.C.A.T.).

Dr. Chasen has written three books in the field, as well as a chapter in Clinical Applications of Drama Therapy in Child and Adolescent Treatment (2005). In 2013, Lee received the North American Drama Therapy Association’s Research Award for the approach and process described in Social Skills, Emotional Growth and Drama Therapy: Inspiring Connection on the Autism Spectrum (2011), which explores the relationship between mirror neurons, drama therapy, and social emotional development in children diagnosed with autism. In Dr. Chasen’s private practice experience, he has treated clients with anxiety, OCD and related issues as well as provided parenting education and family therapy.

Of note, Lee founded Kid Esteem Center for Social Learning, a nonprofit, collaborative organization dedicated to social emotional development and personal empowerment through drama therapy. Since 1997, Kid Esteem has provided dynamic, original programs and services for thousands of children and families in New York’s Long Island region, and remains a top referral source for area hospitals, social service and mental health agencies, school districts and private practitioners. In 2010, Lee co-founded the Kid Esteem Montessori School, a New York State accredited pre-K through 8th grade school with over 80 students that generates therapeutic experience within the academic curriculum through drama therapy and creative arts.