My name is Yvone Ao, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida. I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University, and I immediately began working with severe and persistent mental illness diagnoses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and dual-diagnosis clients. I seek to understand each client as an individual, and in their social systems, and acknowledge the importance of how a person’s culture and upbringing affect one’s coping mechanisms and perception.

I recognize that change can sometimes feel punishing, but I hope to accompany each client in their journey in recognizing that the strength to overcome any hardship has been within them all along. I understand the importance of the language we use to describe ourselves, and aim to partner with each client in revising their internal dialogue to allow for continued growth, healing, and recovery.”