Acea Starks , LPC, LCMHC

Acea Starks is a nontraditional, holistically minded counselor with 11 years of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, relationship and intimacy concerns, and a wide range of life changes. She holds LPC and LCMHC credentials - Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor - and is licensed in Georgia, Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont, and Florida.

Acea arrived in the mental health field later than some, after initial studies in English and a period in a nursing program. In her 30s she completed an associate degree in psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in mental health counseling while working, a path that shaped a practical and resilient approach to care.

She identifies as a bit nonconformist, with piercings, tattoos, and purple hair, and brings that authenticity into her work. Her clinical style is eclectic - she adapts evidence-based tools to each person rather than relying on a single method - and emphasizes goal setting, accountability, and skill building so clients leave with practical strategies they can use.

Acea works with a broad range of concerns including LGBT and gender-related issues, kink and alternative sex culture, trauma and post-traumatic stress, bipolar and mood disorders, depression, addictions, eating and sleep difficulties, parenting and family of origin issues, ADHD, and relationship challenges. She places a strong value on self-care and work-life balance and encourages clients to develop routines that support ongoing resilience. When she is not working she often disconnects by backpacking and spending time outdoors.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Acea Starks draws from several well-established approaches in her online work to meet a variety of needs. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a respectful, collaborative relationship where the client's experience guides the process; this approach supports self-esteem, life transitions, and relationship concerns by prioritizing empathy and the client's own goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior. In accessible, goal-oriented sessions CBT can assist with anxiety, depression, and difficulties like sleep or eating concerns by teaching practical skills to manage symptoms and day-to-day challenges.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT-informed work can be especially useful for clients facing intense emotions, volatile relationships, or patterns of impulsive behavior because it combines validation with concrete coping tools.

Finding the right approach is collaborative - Acea will work with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences and will adjust the plan as progress is made. Online sessions with licensed professionals offer flexible access through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care while traveling, and connect from wherever a client feels most comfortable.