Claire Cao (she/her) MA, RCC
BA, MA, Registered Clinical Counsellor
Therapy Formats: Virtual &
In-Person
I speak English and Mandarin
Accepting New Clients
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I hold a profound belief in the inherent wisdom, resilience, and self-actualization potential within every individual. As a clinical counselor, my goal is to cultivate a safe, authentic, and non-judgmental environment where clients can embark on their personal journey of healing, growth, and self-discovery. I am dedicated to empowering clients to heal emotional wounds, uncover solutions, cultivate strengths, develop resilience, gain insights, foster self-growth, explore values, and strive toward authentic living.
Life is an adventure filled with cherished memories and challenging moments. In my role as a clinical counselor, I am committed to serving as a compassionate companion, who witnesses, supports, and journeys alongside clients as they navigate their path towards holistic healing. With my diverse background as an international student, immigrant, and dedicated mother of three, I bring a unique perspective to my practice, along with an aspiration to provide culturally sensitive counseling services to address the unique challenges faced by individuals experiencing migration and acculturation.
Furthermore, as a counselor committed to social justice and equity, I am deeply passionate about addressing systemic oppression and advocating for marginalized communities, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community, as well as those affected by gender inequality and patriarchal structures.
Your well-being is my priority, and I am here to support you every step of the way.
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With a client-centered and strength-based approach, I strongly believe that clients are the experts of their own lives, possessing the innate power and capacity to heal and transform from adversities. I will meet them where they are and follow their own pace throughout treatment. Building a trusting and authentic therapeutic relationship with my clients is my priority in treatment. Exploring clients’ support systems, expanding protective factors, building resiliency, and supporting the development of healthy coping mechanisms will be central to my counselling approach.
In addition, as a counselor providing trauma-informed care, I acknowledge the profound impact trauma can have on every facet of a client's life, often serving as the root cause of various mental health challenges. Therefore, during therapy, I encourage clients to explore underlying trauma alongside addressing presenting symptoms to ensure a comprehensive treatment outcome.
Furthermore, drawing upon feminist and social justice frameworks, I work collaboratively with clients to unpack the ways in which gender norms, power dynamics, and societal expectations shape their identities and experiences. Through compassionate listening, empathy, and advocacy, I support clients in recognizing their strengths, navigating systemic barriers, and reclaiming agency over their lives.
Last but not least, my approach is characterized by warmth, authenticity, and creativity. I believe that therapy doesn't always have to be limited to sitting and talking. I incorporate interventions from a wide range of evidence-based talk therapies, as well as experiential modalities, including mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Somatic Experiencing (SE), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), narrative therapy, and more. My sessions are enriched with a variety of creative and enjoyable activities, including drawing, writing, role play, psychodrama, sand tray, and somatic movements, among others. By integrating these diverse tools into my therapy, I tailor my treatment approach to meet the unique needs of each individual client.
Let’s explore and embark on a self-discovery healing adventure together and connect with that part of ourselves meant for transformation.
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Born in a small mountainous town in China, I developed a love for nature and adventure from a young age. This passion fueled my desire to explore the world and immerse myself in different cultures, leading me to travel to approximately 20 countries. These experiences have left me with cherished memories and valuable friendships, profoundly shaping my worldview and personal values. Curiosity, openness, inclusivity, creativity, spontaneity, and a spirit of adventure have always been fundamental to my identity.
Raised by well-educated parents who instilled in me the importance of free-thinking, independence, and gender equality, I was encouraged to maintain an open mind and practice critical thinking on things such as social norms. The seed for living in a fair, authentic, and caring society, as well as striving to make the world a better place, has long been planted in my mind.
During my graduate studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and throughout my 18-year immigration journey, I had my fair share of life challenges, including grief and loss, identity crises, and mental health struggles. These experiences fostered in me a deep compassion for individuals undergoing migration and acculturation, while also inspiring awe in the resilience of people facing adversity.
Although I excelled academically and professionally, I became a full-time mother after marriage, dedicating over a decade to nurturing my children and family. Despite the feeling of accomplishment, I felt a part of myself was missing. Seeking counseling allowed me to reconnect with my independent, adventurous, and passionate self, completing my self-identity beyond the role of mother and wife.
Now, as I transition into becoming a clinical counsellor myself, I am committed to accompanying you on your journey of recovery, self-discovery, and empowerment as a whole and authentic individual.
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Trauma
Grief & Loss
Depression
Anxiety
Bipolar
Anger
Trauma
Gender Identity
Self-harm
Self-esteem
Self-identity
Attachment
Inner Child healing
Mindfulness
Somatic work
Relationship challenges
Life transitions
Acculturation
Parenting
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Psychotherapy and therapeutic coaching for individuals and couples.
Individual session - 50 min: $180, 80 min: $250
Couples session - 50 min: $200, 80 min: $270
Accepts ICBC, CVAP, and Extended Health Coverage (for clients in BC)
Offers Sliding Scale
If you’re unable to find an available time that works for you, please reach out to claire@innerverseintegratedhealth.com
