Nice to meet you.
Empathy and passion are at the heart of who we are at Paper Crane Psychotherapy Services.
Grace MacAskill
Registered Psychotherapist
Registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario - Registration # 12223 -
She/her pronouns
Grace MacAskill has worked in the mental health field providing psychological services for seven years, previously working in an equine therapy program and as a behavioural support worker before transitioning to her current role as a therapist. Grace fully embraces and celebrates the differences between individuals, and takes an individually tailored approach to every client she works with. Grace provides an eclectic approach to psychotherapy and counselling where she mainly uses a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach but is increasingly also drawing from other therapies such as Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and blend of somatic modalities. In her work and her life she is empathetic, warm, and patient. She hopes to create a space where you feel heard and safe, and looks forward to collaboratively working together to help you navigate this difficult period of your life and reach your goals.
An interview with Grace
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I have always known I wanted to be in a role where I could help people. Combined with my passion for mental health, I figured out early on that a therapist role would be a good fit. In high school I had a few close friends struggle with their mental health and supporting them cemented for me that this is what I wanted to do. I began engaging with and creating mental health initiatives within my communities and dedicated myself to the study of psychology. I can not imagine a better job and I am so honoured that I get to spend my life helping guide others through their healing process.
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An attainable goal is not a significant goal. When I was told this phrase, it really made me stop and think! We often get so caught up in wanting to feel like we’ve done big things that we often discount the small steps it takes to get there. Break it down and value the small easy goals that get you to where you want to be.
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”All the effort in the world won’t matter if you’re not inspired.” -Chuck Palahniuk
I think it is so important to love what you do and truly believe that people thrive when they are living a life that is aligned with whatever inspires them. -
I am a total animal lover. I have three cats (Panda, Delilah, and Finnegan ), a dog (Varley), and for a long time had an axolotl (Levi). I love when my clients’ furry friends make an appearance in our sessions!
Education and training
Masters of Science in Psychotherapy
McMaster University, 2020-2022Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour
Mental Health Specialization
Minor in Mental Health, Addiction, and Society
McMaster University, 2016-2020
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• Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy at The Embody Lab
• Emotion Focused Therapy Level 1 with Dr. Leslie Greenberg and Dr. Serine Warwar from the Emotion-Focused Therapy Clinic at York University
• Introduction to Theory and Practice of CFT from the Compassionate Mind Foundation
• Working with Emotions in Psychotherapy with Dr. Leslie Greenberg and Dr. Serine Warwar from the Centre for Psychology and Emotional Health
Therapy modalities
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
Somatic Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Currently Grace is the sole therapist of Paper Crane Psychotherapy Services, though she is hoping to expand the team in the future!
About our practice’s name
Actively working towards a better future
The paper crane, or Orizuru, is a form of Japanese origami. Legend has it that if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, then you have the chance to make a wish come true. When someone is sick, family and friends band together to fold these cranes to help guide their loved one back to health. The act of folding 1000 paper cranes has come to symbolize hope, healing, and determination. Though not Japanese herself, Grace has kept this symbol close to her heart since learning about it in childhood. She has made well over 1000 paper cranes and has often used the symbolism of the paper crane as a guiding force while navigating her life. To her, it has come to represent staying hopeful and dreaming for the future while also taking an active role and doing the work to turn these wishes into reality. This imagery reflects our approach to psychotherapy which asks you to commit your energy to building the life you want to live. Though psychotherapy and counselling is not always easy, it can help us grow, develop, and heal in incredible ways.