Nancy Darr, LCSW

Nancy has been Grove’s Clinical Director since 2022, bringing over twenty years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and a deep commitment to helping students and families navigate complex challenges. She joined Grove in 2002 as a part-time clinician and special education coordinator, became assistant clinical director, and now oversees the clinical department while maintaining her own caseload.

Nancy earned her BA in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Central Connecticut State University and her MSW from Southern Connecticut State University. Before and alongside her work at Grove, she has worked in diverse settings—including community corrections programs, college residence life at Mitchell College, and Vista Vocational and Life Innovations, where she still provides clinical support in mindfulness, grief and loss, and relationship building. She also maintains a small private practice focused on adolescents, families, and treatment coordination for those with special needs.

Nancy brings specialized training to her work: she’s trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for trauma treatment, an accredited TAC clinician with adoption competency training through the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE), and SIFI (Seminar in Field Instruction) certified through Southern Connecticut State University to supervise master’s level social work students. She’s also a QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gatekeeper trainer, providing evidence-based suicide prevention training to Grove staff, parents, and the wider community.

In her clinical work, Nancy uses a systems theory approach. Addressing the multiple groupings 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 plus 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 athletic events, gardening, attending theater, and outdoor adventures. She’s also an avid baseball fan.