Rio Bauce, Queer Affirming Therapist Online
I help clients feel more grounded, confident, and connected—both within themselves and in their relationships.
Hi, I’m Rio, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker providing telehealth therapy to adults and couples in Massachusetts and California. I specialize in supporting clients navigating anxiety, identity stress, relationship challenges, and major life transitions with clarity, compassion, and practical support.
Who I Work With
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded. Therapy with me is a space where you can slow down, understand yourself more deeply, and build tools that genuinely help you feel more connected and resilient. I draw from evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, and ACT, while also paying close attention to your lived experiences, identities, and the broader systems you move through. As a queer clinician, I bring an affirming, culturally responsive lens to all of my work.
Before moving into private practice, I spent several years supporting clients in community mental health, HIV care, and LGBTQ+ health settings in San Francisco. These experiences shaped my belief that healing is most possible when people feel seen, supported, and understood — not judged or rushed.
My Approach
Outside of Therapy
Outside of therapy, you can usually find me exploring the Boston area, cooking new recipes, and spending time with my partner and our very talkative husky, Luka.
What Therapy Looks Like
In our sessions, you can expect a thoughtful balance of insight and skill-building. We’ll explore the patterns that show up in your relationships, emotions, and choices, while grounding the work in practical strategies that support meaningful change in your day-to-day life. Many clients describe my style as steady, attentive, and honest in a way that feels human and relatable.
Next Steps
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for something to change, I’d be honored to support you. If you’re interested in working together, you can check my current availability by emailing me at therapywithrio@gmail.com or book directly through Book Therapy with Rio using the button below.
Warmly,
Rio Bauce, LCSW, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
Telehealth Therapy in Massachusetts & California
Professional Endorsements
Reflections from supervisors and colleagues who know my clinical work
Julia Fogelson
I had the privilege of supervising Rio and consistently found him to be a thoughtful, ethical, and highly attuned clinician. He brings strong clinical judgment, deep empathy, and a collaborative spirit to his work. Rio is especially skilled at helping clients slow down, make sense of complex emotional patterns, and build insight that translates into real-world change. I would trust him with clients seeking both depth and practical support.
Aaron Rohrer, LCSW
Former Clinical Supervisor
LCSW, CST
Rio brings a rare combination of warmth, clinical rigor, and emotional attunement to his work. As a colleague, I deeply respect his ability to meet clients where they are while also helping them move toward meaningful, lasting change. He creates a therapeutic space that feels grounded, affirming, and genuinely human — especially for clients navigating anxiety, identity exploration, and life transitions. I would confidently refer clients to Rio without hesitation.
Clinical Leadership & Professional Engagement
In addition to private practice, I regularly present and train on topics related to anxiety, stress, identity, and relational health in professional and community settings.
Pacific Center for Human Growth (Dec 2025)
Provided training to clinical trainees on therapeutic approaches and clinical skill development
NASW–California Annual Conference (Nov 2025)
Presented to student and seasoned social workers on career development, clinical identity, and sustainable practice
Cambridge Innovation Center (May 2026)
Scheduled to present on stress reduction and mental health strategies in professional settings
NASW National Conference (Jun 2026)
Presentation proposal submitted on clinical practice and professional sustainability
Ryan White Conference on HIV Care and Treatment (Aug 2026)
Presentation proposal submitted on mental health, identity, and integrated HIV care
