Clarena is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Clinical Functional Family Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Telehealth Provider. She has over 13 years of experience treating adolescents and adults in New York City, and began her private practice, in Greenwich, in 2010. Clarena received her BA degree in both Psychology and Sociology from Fairfield University, and pursued her Master’s Degree from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University, in Mental Health Counseling shortly afterwards.
Clarena is a native of New York City, born and raised in Whitestone, New York. Her passion for helping others began in high school and into college, as she volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Early Head Start programs, and participated in mission trips with Youth Ministry at her schools.
After marrying her husband, Craig, of 11 years, she moved to Greenwich, CT where her first volunteer position was at the Junior League of Greenwich (JLG). There, she gave her time and energy raising funds and awareness for an array of important causes in the community, especially empowering our youth through education and strengthening positive self-esteem, among many other initiatives. Clarena proudly served as President of the Junior League of Greenwich from 2020-2021, and served on the First Selectman’s Diversity Advisory Committee during her tenure. It was through the JLG that she was introduced to other charitable organizations in Greenwich, such as the Greenwich United Way, Red Cross Metro NY Chapter, Neighbor to Neighbor, and The Bruce Museum, and she swiftly began volunteering for them too!
Clarena is also involved at Christ Church Greenwich, serving on a number of Discernment and Recruitment Teams, as well as their Racial, Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Taskforce. Clarena served on the Christ Church Preschool Board for many years and was President from 2018-2020.
During her free time, Clarena enjoys volunteering at her children’s schools, ballet and hip-hop dancing, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She and Craig reside in Greenwich with their four young daughters Blanca, 8, Camilla, 6, Isla, 4, and Estella, 2.
Click here to purchase tickets and sponsorships.