Chelsea Hack (she/her)
Individual & Family Therapist
MSW, RSW
About Chelsea
Chelsea Hack is a Registered Social Worker who is passionate about working with autistic folks in a way that encourages authenticity, trust, and acceptance. With a focus on youth, young adults, and their families, Chelsea utilizes narrative therapy, strength-based and trauma-informed approaches. She believes that people are the experts of their own lives. In sessions, Chelsea will personalize the therapeutic approach to support you to feel empowered to reach your goals. Collaboration, advocacy, compassion, non-judgment, and genuineness are central to Chelsea’s style.
Chelsea has extensive experience working with youth and their loved ones from various backgrounds and experiences, including those experiencing complex mental health. Additionally, Chelsea has contributed to autism research as a research assistant for over two years, with the biggest project being the Campus Ready Project, which aims to better support autistic university students.
Chelsea’s primary interest lies in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, stress, emotional dysregulation and conflict. By employing a personalized approach, Chelsea facilitates open discussions about therapy goals while equipping clients with the necessary skills and resources to address their specific needs.
Client focus:
Adolescents, young adults, adults and their families.
Locations:
Registered to practice in Ontario and Alberta
Fee:
$160/hr virtual session
$180/hr in-person session
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Single Session Therapy (SST)
Unlock Clarity and Growth in Just One Session
Single Session Therapy (SST) offers a transformative, evidence-based approach to addressing a specific challenge or goal in a focused, 90-minute session. Rooted in research, SST has proven effective in fostering hope, insight, and tangible progress in clients seeking immediate breakthroughs. Led by Dori, whose clinical expertise ensures a highly personalized experience, this session provides a unique opportunity to gain clarity and actionable tools for your journey. Each 90-minute session comes with tailored resources to support your continued growth.
Cost: $400/90 minute session + customized resources
Some examples of goals you could work on in an SST:
• Understand the “why” behind how you experience the world
• Build emotional awareness
• Clarify your therapy goals
• Improve executive functioning
• How to make and maintain friendships and relationships
• Manage stress and reduce meltdowns and shutdowns
• Masking and unmasking
• Cope with burnout
• Establish healthy habits
• Clarify your values and motivations
• Understand your neurodivergent loved one
• Develop self-care and self-compassion
• Networking strategies
• Explore your accommodations and how to advocate for them
• Build a strengths-based career
INVEST Training
INVEST is a groundbreaking therapeutic framework developed by Dori Zener for mental health professionals supporting neurodiverse people.
IDENTIFY NEEDS - VALIDATE - EDUCATE - STRENGTHEN - THRIVE
INVEST Training is appropriate for organizations who provide services to neurodiverse clients. INVEST training will support your practitioners by further developing their person-centred, strengths-based, and neuro-affirming skills.
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Consultation Services
Dori offers dynamic workshops and expert guidance on neurodiversity and mental health, tailored for organizations, schools, and workplaces. She empowers teams and individuals by fostering understanding, promoting inclusivity, and creating supportive environments where everyone can thrive.
Topics include: Autism and Mental Health, Supporting Neurodiverse Employees, Well-being for Autistic Girls and Women and other related topics tailored to your needs.
Passion for Neurodiversity
Chelsea's passion for neurodiversity comes from wanting to provide therapy that recognizes and honours the unique ways each person's brain works. She values creating a relationship that makes people feel safe to show up authentically and share their life experiences without fear of judgement.
Chelsea also works on the Campus Belonging project as a research assistant. Through her work as a research assistant she has been able to see the positive impact, as well as the need for, neuro-affirming approaches.
Common Questions
Embarking on the journey of booking a therapy session can be a significant step—one that might seem intimidating.
Here are some FAQs
How do I book a free consultation?
If your preferred associate is available to meet with new clients, please click the link in their bio to book your free 20-minute consultation.
If they are not meeting with new clients at this time, please feel free to add yourself to our waiting list. Our Intake Coordinator will be in touch as soon as possible to schedule your appointment.
Are your consultations virtual?
Yes, all our consultations are virtual. However, some of our associates meet clients for in-person sessions in the Toronto area.
What types of insurance do you accept?
Our therapists are Registered Social Workers and Registered Psychotherapists and are covered by most health benefits plans. Check your benefits to see if these professionals are covered by your insurance.
How can I pay?
Payments are made through our client portal Jane.app after each session. All major credit cards are accepted.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hour cancellation notice for in-person sessions, and 24 hours for virtual appointments.
Chelsea Hack (she/her)
Chelsea Hack (she/her)
Research & Media Links
Publications
“An Expert Discussion on Knowledge Translation in Autism in Adulthood Research”. Moderators: Anne V. Kirby, Participants: Katherine E. McDonald, James Cusack, Brenna Maddox, Cheryl Mangan, Lisa Morgan, Anne Roux, Nidhi Singhal, and Dori Zener. Autism in Adulthood. Mar 2021.11-17. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2020.29017.avk
Zener, D. (2019), “Helping autistic women thrive”, Advances in Autism, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 143-156. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-0042
Zener, D. (2019), “Journey to diagnosis for women with autism”, Advances in Autism, Vol. 5 Issue: 1, pp.2-13, https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-10-2018-0041
Contact us to request full-text versions of the publications.
Appearances
Guest Speaker
The Dating and Relationship Show – Autism and Dating AM640 – 2019
Gemma Gray, Churchill Fellowship 2023-2024
Episode 3 - The Power of a Passionate Individual
Find Episode Here
Professional Podcast Network
Episode 0392 - Neurodiversity Affirming Mental Health Center and Support for Autistic People, August 21, 2023
Find Episode Here
Articles
The Other Autism, Kristen Hovet
The Challenging Journey to Female Autism Diagnosis, December 11, 2020
Find Article Here
The Autistic Rambler Podcast, Maddy Dever
Mental Health Virtual Panel: Surviving the Pandemic Alone with Your Kids, April 9, 2020
Find Article Here
CBC Radio, Adam Killick
Here's why employers should do more to embrace neurodiversity in the workplace, October 21, 2024
Find Article Here
Video
“10 Tips for Enhancing Mental Health” – CAMH 2023
Find Video Here
“Fostering well-being in Autistic girls and women”, Profile of girls and women, INVEST – ACT 2022
Find Video Here
“PTSD & Sexual Assault” – AIDE Canada 2022
Find Video Here
INVESTing in Women & Girls with ASD: Identify Needs, Validate, Educate, Strengthen, and Thrive – 2018
Find Video Here
Practical Strategies for Promoting Mental Wellness for Girls & Women with Autism – ACT 2017
Find Video Here
Women on the Autism Spectrum and Eating Disorders: Implications for Treatment – NEDIC 2013
Find Video Here
Embark on a transformative journey
Welcome to a unique framework transforming traditional counselling practices by embracing the beauty of neurodiversity.
INVEST adopts a person-centered, strengths-based approach, firmly distancing itself from deficit-oriented viewpoints on autism.
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