Chelsea Groves, M.A., CYC, B.A.

Child and Youth Counsellor

Chelsea joined the Nova’s Ark team in 2022 as a full-time Child and Youth Counsellor. She found Nova’s Ark while completing a placement during her undergraduate degree in Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2021 and has been passionate about advocating for equal opportunity for neurodiverse communities and people ever since. Chelsea further pursued her Master of Arts in Child and Youth Care, specializing in counselling and therapeutic programming.

Through this, Chelsea continued to research and advocate for disability rights through various programs and opportunities. Chelsea’s role allows for the implementation and execution of individualized program plans from a relational and strengths-based approach. Her approach echoes a person-centered approach, where she will meet all participants where they are and work to support them in reaching their goals collaboratively. She uses a variety of therapeutic models to support her guests to reach their goals, including play-based, nature-based, and mindfulness interventions in group and individual counselling sessions. She works with the young person and their family to find tools and strategies that work for them. Chelsea understands that each individual has different needs and will work to find the approach that is best for you.

Additionally, Chelsea supports many of the college and university students that come to Nova’s Ark to complete their placements; she is very passionate about teaching students about ways to support the neurodiverse population while providing a safe space to learn.

Participant smiling with bouquet of flowers.

Unlike everywhere else I’ve been, at Nova’s Ark, I do not feel out of place. It gives me something that I feel like I can’t find anywhere else. I meet people that I otherwise wouldn’t meet and I feel like a lot of those who have helped me through my struggles I’ve met here.
Bridget, Participant since 2010

Nova’s Ark is special to our whole family. When Daniel first started here, he could only speak one-word sentences. Now, he can talk your ear off and is very independent. Daniel being at Nova’s Ark takes a lot of pressure off of our family because we know he is safe, happy and learning. No matter the weather or if he is tired, Daniel doesn’t want to miss a day.
Daniel’s Mom, a participant since 2014

From the moment our son started attending Novas Ark, we felt such positivity, hope and inspiration. Everyone in the Nova’s Ark family has been so caring and accepting of our whole family. Nova’s Ark has gone above and beyond to help us on our family’s journey and we are beyond thankful. We are so lucky to have found such a supportive environment for our children and our family.
Parent, Shannon K.

Chelsea Groves, M.A., CYC, B.A.

Child and Youth Counsellor

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