Acea Starks , LPC, LCMHC

Acea Starks brings a nontraditional, holistic perspective to mental health care and draws on more than a decade of experience supporting diverse people and concerns. Licensed across multiple states, she holds LPC and LCMHC credentials - terms that indicate training and licensure as a professional counselor and a clinical mental health counselor. She began higher education as an English major and retains a deep appreciation for language and writing, so she may sometimes reach for an uncommon word or literary reference and will happily rephrase if something is unclear.

Her path to counseling was not linear. After a turn through nursing studies and time spent in many different jobs, she returned to school in her 30s to complete an associate degree in psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in mental health counseling while working. Those varied life and work experiences inform an eclectic therapeutic approach - she believes there is no one-size-fits-all treatment and emphasizes goal-setting, accountability, and practical tools to help clients navigate their unique challenges.

Acea is open about a personal style that includes piercings, tattoos, and purple hair, and she identifies with goth culture. She values self-care and work-life balance, and when not online she often escapes into the woods with a pack. Her practice intentionally blends openness with structure to help clients find effective strategies for coping and growth.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Acea Starks blends client-centered therapy with cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior tools to meet each person where they are. Client-centered therapy emphasizes the client’s own goals and perspectives, offering an accepting, collaborative space to explore concerns and build self-understanding. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety and low mood and to develop concrete coping strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving relationships, and can be helpful for intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Acea works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time so care feels relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy with Acea can take place by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, access support from home or on the go, and maintain continuity of care even when routines change.