Kelsey Ellis MA, CCLS
Founder, Executive Director

Kelsey is a certified child life specialist, surf therapy provider and grief counselor. Her background lies in facilitating expressive therapeutic programs for trauma recovery. She currently provides grief support training and grief support groups at Josie's Place in the San Francisco Bay Area. Collectively her professional and personal experiences have further fueled her passion for fostering community connection through creative programing. In March of 2020 Kelsey unexpectedly lost her twin sister to Covid19 complications. In response to her personal waves of grief, and solace found found in the ocean she founded Waves of Grief. 

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In 2020 National Geographic & Gal Gadot selected Kelsey to share her grief journey and healing found through surf therapy in IMPACT.  The documentary shorts series is about six young women who are making an extraordinary impact around the world.

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Kelsey is a proud recipient of the Jefferson Award for creating change in her community through Waves of Grief.  Most recently Kelsey was sought out to facilitate for the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and his team. 

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Kelsey truly believes that healing can be found through authentic expression, community engagement, and connection to nature. "“The cure for anything is salt water: tears, sweat or the Sea.” - Isak Dinesen