Marci Gray

Marci Gray, PhD Candidate, MSW, RSW
marci.gray@mail.utoronto.ca
CV
Research Interests
- trauma informed mental health
- psychological safety at work
- anti-Black racism impacts
- mental health stigma
Biography
About Me
Marci Gray is a social worker/ psychotherapist, educator, and the CEO of Gray Matter Health, where she leads a clinical team dedicated to advancing psychological health, inclusion, and wellness. Her academic work bridges clinical practice, research, and education, with a deep commitment to creating psychologically safe and anti-racist environments in workplaces and communities.
Dissertation
My doctoral dissertation at the University of Toronto explores how psychological health and safety (PHS) frameworks can be applied through an anti-Black racism (ABR) lens. Specifically, I examine the organizational conditions that influence PHS for Black employees, integrating critical race theory and occupational health psychology to develop a more inclusive model of workplace well-being.
Research Experience
My research portfolio includes both qualitative and quantitative studies examining leadership, organizational culture, job demands, and interpersonal dynamics as psychosocial risk factors. I have developed an original measurement tool—the REIPHSM Scale—to assess how race-based inequities impact psychological safety and employee health outcomes.
Academic Work Experience
As a course instructor in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Toronto, I teach graduate courses focused on clinical practice, critical analysis, and applied research. My teaching philosophy emphasizes empowerment, reflection, and the integration of theory into practice.
Dissertation
Black Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace
Education
- PhD, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
- MSW, Strategic Human Service Management in Mental Health Specialization, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto
- HBA, Double Major: Sociology & Law, York University, Undergraduate Thesis: Youth Subculture & Community Development