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AS Portrait of Acea Starks

Acea Starks

Compassionate, practical therapy with evidence-based tools

LPC, LCMHC Georgia

Experience
11 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Acea

About Acea

Acea Starks offers a straightforward, client-focused approach for people seeking practical strategies and thoughtful support.

Background and approach

With 11 years of experience, she combines a relatable, down-to-earth presence with structured methods to help clients manage stress, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, relationship and intimacy issues, and concerns related to sexuality and identity. Her background includes training in mental health counseling and practical life experience that inform a flexible, goal-oriented way of working.

She blends evidence-informed tools with an open, nonjudgmental stance, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered principles, mindfulness, and narrative work to tailor care to each person’s needs. Acea emphasizes collaboration, goal setting, and accountability while teaching skills for coping, self-care, and improved communication.

Licensed as an LPC and LCMHC, she maintains a holistic perspective and a sense of humor that many clients find disarming and helpful during difficult change. Outside clinical work she values balance and time outdoors, and brings that grounding ethos into her practice.

Her style suits people who want practical techniques delivered by a clinician who is direct, accepting, and willing to adapt methods to fit individual circumstances.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Offered Remotely

Two of the approaches commonly used are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleep or eating concerns; it emphasizes specific, teachable skills and practical homework. DBT teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills to help manage strong emotions and improve communication in relationships.

The clinician also uses client-centered principles, which emphasize listening, empathy, and tailoring the work to each person's values and goals. Finding the right approach is a collaborative process - the therapist will work with clients to assess needs and preferences and then blend methods so the plan feels personally relevant and achievable.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make it easier to fit care into busy schedules and different locations within the clinician’s practice region. These formats allow consistent access to skill instruction, check-ins, and therapeutic guidance while offering flexibility in how and when sessions occur.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this clinician commonly address?
Areas of focus include stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar and other mood disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress, addictions, and relationship or intimacy-related issues. The therapist also works with topics like sexuality, gender dysphoria, eating and sleeping problems, and ADHD.
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
The practice is eclectic and client-centered, emphasizing collaboration, goal setting, and practical skill building. Techniques often draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, and narrative and psychodynamic ideas to fit each person’s needs.
What is the clinician's background and experience level?
The therapist brings 11 years of experience in mental health work and combines formal training with diverse life and work experiences to inform a flexible, pragmatic approach.
Which credentials and location apply to this provider?
She holds LPC and LCMHC credentials and is based in Georgia. License details include AK LPC 222816 and VT LCMHC 068.0135439 as provided.
Are sessions available in other languages or to international clients?
Services are offered in English only, and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats does the therapist offer?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or through text-based messaging depending on what fits their needs and the therapist's availability.
How are fees and billing handled for sessions?
Costs vary by location and therapist availability; sessions are accessed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with this clinician?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

BDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureCommunication problemsFamily of origin issuesGender dysphoriaMood disordersMulticultural concernsPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressSexualityWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

11+ years

Licensed

Georgia, Vermont, South Dakota, Alaska

Languages

English