Celeste Cai

Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology, EMDR Certified Therapist, Founder of Resting Tree Counselling

About Me

Born, raised, and educated in Singapore, I practised as a Registered Psychologist across school, medical, and community settings. When I moved to Vancouver in 2017, I founded Resting Tree Counselling. Having more than 14 years of experience in both East and West cultures, I have developed a genuine curiosity for different worldviews and a deep respect for the many ways people make meaning of their lives. While I work with a range of concerns, my greatest passion lies in walking alongside adults and women navigating complex trauma, attachment wounds, stress, anxiety, and mood-related challenges.

My Personal Journey: C-PTSD and Chronic Pain

My path into counselling psychology was shaped by my own lived experiences with trauma and the ongoing process of living with an autoimmune condition. Over time, running, yoga, and meditation have become anchors in my own healing — and as a marathon runner, I've come to appreciate how every step, in training and in life, holds lessons in patience, resilience, and trusting the process.

Through personal therapy, re-parenting work, and intentional self-care, I've witnessed meaningful shifts in both my physical and emotional well-being. These experiences are a constant reminder that healing is not linear — it unfolds slowly, through awareness, compassion, and quiet courage.

Clinical Approach

My approach is wholehearted, empathetic and collaborative. I seek to support you with a sense of safety and compassion, so you could feel free to be who you are. In our first few sessions, we will take time to understand your history, what's been weighing on you, and what you're hoping for. By the end of this initial period, I'll share my thoughts on what our work together might look like — including the goals we could work toward, the approaches I'd suggest, and a gentle sense of what the journey ahead may involve. My role is to support and guide you every step of the way.

I am generally informed by a compassion-focused, mindfulness-based approach that involves psychoeducation and skills training from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. For trauma-related issues, my preferred treatment methods are Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). I have also recently been trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, which is a somatic approach to healing from stress and trauma that impacts our nervous system.

Clinical Supervision

I am currently a supervisor-in-training with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC), and I welcome both Registered Clinical Counsellors and practicum students who are looking for thoughtful, supportive supervision. My supervision style mirrors my therapeutic approach — collaborative, reflective, and grounded in compassion. I have a particular focus on Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I enjoy supporting fellow clinicians as they deepen their skills and find their own voice in the work. If you're looking for a supervisor who understands the personal nature of this profession, I'd love to connect.