Nancy Darr, LCSW

Nancy Darr earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Central Connecticut State University. She earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Southern Connecticut State University. Nancy has been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the state of Connecticut for over twenty years. She joined the Grove School community in 2002, first as a part-time clinician and special education coordinator, then as a full-time clinician and assistant clinical director, and now as Grove School’s clinical director.

 

Nancy has worked in a variety of social service settings, including a community release program through the Connecticut Department of Corrections where she served as a counselor, conducted treatment groups, and coordinated activities to aid in the therapeutic rehabilitation of corrections clients. Nancy also worked at Mitchell College where she supervised a group of residence halls, aided in the coordination of campus wellness activities, provided emotional support and guidance to students, taught freshman seminars, and supervised student leaders within the residence life program. Additionally, Nancy worked at Vista Vocational and Life Innovations serving both as a counselor and as a clinical intern for their admissions program. Nancy continues to maintain a relationship with Vista, providing clinical support for students in the areas of mindfulness, grief and loss, distress tolerance, and relationship building. Nancy also has a small private practice focusing on adolescents and families and providing treatment coordination for those with special needs.

 

Nancy is a QPR— “Question, Persuade, Refer”—Gatekeeper trainer for Grove staff and parents, as well as for those outside the Grove community. In this role, Nancy provides evidence-based suicide prevention training to help others recognize the warning signs of suicide and refer for help any individual who is at risk.

 

Nancy is Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) certified through Southern Connecticut State University. This certification allows her to supervise master’s level social work students as part of their clinical training.

 

Nancy is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a valuable tool to help students who have suffered from trauma during their developmental years.

 

Nancy recently completed her Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) clinician training through the Center for Adoption Support and Education. As an accredited adoption competent clinician, Nancy’s therapeutic practice can address the unique treatment needs of adoptees and their families.

 

In her current role as Grove School’s clinical director, Nancy not only works as an individual clinician, but also oversees the clinical department, supporting clinicians and students and providing staff training and treatment coordination.

 

In her clinical work, Nancy uses a systems theory approach. Addressing the multiple systems in each Grove student’s life is a crucial part of treatment. The Grove milieu allows Nancy to interface with students, families, treatment teams, and teachers to effect positive therapeutic change. Nancy is proud of her ongoing connection with Grove graduates over the past twenty years. Watching students evolve from their admission day to their graduation day is powerful; learning how students have used the tools they learned at Grove to navigate adulthood is priceless.

 

Nancy lives on the Connecticut shoreline with her husband, two sons, and dog. Her free time is spent cheering on her boys at their many athletic events and extracurricular activities. Nancy is an avid baseball fan, theater goer, gardener, and outdoor adventurer.