Teen & Adult Therapist
Celeste
Aceves
APCC #19992 | Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Part of a collaborative care team with Desiree McLaughlin, LMFT #105097
"You don't have to have everything figured out to start therapy. You deserve the same patience and understanding you give to others."
My path to becoming a therapist began in high school, watching a school counselor become the person students trusted during some of the hardest moments of their lives. I wanted to be that kind of support for others: someone people could turn to when they needed to feel heard, understood, and supported.
I know how easy it is to put others first, struggle with anxiety, and feel like you have to figure everything out on your own. I work with adults and teens navigating life transitions, people-pleasing, grief and loss, self-esteem, identity, and relationship challenges, including BIPOC clients, people in high-stress professions, and adults healing from childhood trauma.
My work is rooted in Narrative Therapy, which is built on a simple idea: the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem. The experiences we have been through can shape how we see ourselves. Together we explore your story, reconnect with strengths you may have lost sight of, and find new ways forward.
In session I am warm, genuine, and adaptable. I listen when you need space to process, offer more direction when you need guidance, and gently challenge you when it helps you see things differently. All sessions are 100% virtual, so you can access care from anywhere in California.
Areas of Focus
How I can help
For people who always put others first. We work on boundaries, self-worth, and giving yourself the same care you give everyone else.
Support through career changes, moves, relationships beginning or ending, and the uncertainty that comes with a new chapter.
A steady, compassionate space to process loss at your own pace and find ways to carry it forward.
Helping adults understand how early experiences shaped their story and rewrite the parts that no longer fit.
Exploring who you are, cultural and family expectations, and how to build relationships that feel mutual and safe.
For people in demanding professions who feel stretched thin. We quiet anxious thinking and build coping that lasts.
Who I Work With
Finding the right fit for you
Teens
Teens carrying pressure from school, friendships, family, and figuring out who they are. I give teens a space where they can be honest without being judged, and help them build confidence and coping skills for what is ahead.
Young Adults
The heart of my work. Young adults navigating life transitions, people-pleasing, relationships, and the pressure to have it all figured out. Together we look at the patterns holding you back and the strengths you already have.
Adults
Adults healing from childhood trauma, grieving a loss, or worn down by high-stress careers, including BIPOC adults and professionals who have spent years being strong for everyone else.
My Approach
"The person is not the problem; the problem is the problem. Your struggles are one part of your story, not who you are."
Celeste Aceves, APCC
Ready to Get Started?
Virtual openings available now
You don't have to have everything figured out to start therapy. A free 20-minute consultation is a no-pressure way to see if we are a good fit, in a space that feels safe, empathetic, and collaborative.
100% Virtual • Telehealth available statewide in California
What to Expect
Free 20-min consultation to see if we are the right fit, no commitment required.
100% virtual sessions available to all California residents via secure telehealth.
Insurance accepted: IEHP, United Healthcare, Optum, and Aetna. Private pay accepted. Out-of-network support available. Limited sliding scale spots available.