Grace Gao RSW, MSW

Biography

Grace Gao, MSW, RSW, is a Registered Social Worker and mental health professional with experience in counseling, employment services, and community wellness. She completed her Master of Social Work at the University of Toronto and has several years of experience supporting individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, life transitions, employment challenges, and emotional wellbeing concerns. Grace’s professional approach is grounded in empathy, cultural sensitivity, and client-centered care, with a focus on helping individuals build confidence, resilience, and practical coping strategies.

Throughout her career, Grace has worked with diverse populations, including newcomers, university students, working parents, and individuals navigating personal and professional transitions. Her experience across community and public service settings has strengthened her understanding of the connection between mental health, social systems, and daily life challenges. Grace integrates evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), strengths-based practice, solution-focused techniques, and motivational interviewing to support meaningful and sustainable change.

Grace is passionate about creating accessible and culturally responsive mental health support, particularly for individuals who may feel hesitant to seek formal counseling services. As a bilingual professional fluent in English and Mandarin, she values creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where clients feel heard and respected.

Grace believes counseling should provide individuals with a space to reflect, heal, and develop practical tools for navigating life’s challenges. Her work reflects a calm, compassionate, and collaborative approach that supports emotional wellbeing, personal growth, and long-term resilience.

Contact Information

• Email: dcgao@torontomu.ca
• Location: 366 Adelaide Street East, Suite 225, Toronto, ON M5A 3X9
• Book an Appointment 

Specialities

• Anxiety
• Depression
• School Issues
• Career Guidance
• Coping Skills
• Emotional Disturbance
• Family Conflict
• Grief
• Life Coaching
• Life Transitions
• Mood Disorders
• Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
• Peer Relationships
• Refugee Mental Health
• Relationship Issues
• Self Esteem
• Stress
• Women’s Issues
• Postpartum Depression

Therapeutic Approaches

• Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
• Motivational Interview
• Attachment-based
• Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)
• Compassion Focused
• Culturally Sensitive
• Emotionally Focused
• Feminist
• Humanistic
• Interpersonal
• Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
• Somatic
• Strength-Based
• Trauma Focused

Languages

• English
• Mandarin

Education

• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)