Acea Starks , LPC, LCMHC

Acea Starks is a licensed professional counselor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, mood concerns, relationship and intimacy questions, and issues connected to gender and sexuality. She works with clients coping with trauma, addiction, sleep or eating challenges, ADHD, and other life transitions. Acea brings an open, down-to-earth style to sessions and aims to make therapy feel understandable and practical.

Acea favors an adaptable approach rather than one fixed method. She focuses on clear goals and simple tools clients can use between sessions. Her work often includes conversations about identity, kink and alternative sexual cultures, and multicultural or gender-related concerns. She also supports people navigating parenting strains and family of origin problems.

Before training in counseling, Acea studied English and later completed nursing coursework, then earned an associate degree in psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in mental health counseling. She has practiced for 11 years and holds LPC and LCMHC credentials, with licensure linked to Georgia among other states.

Acea describes herself as unconventional and approachable. She values self-care and balance and models that by spending time outdoors when possible. In session she uses plain language and invites clients to ask for clarification if something she says feels unclear.

Sessions are practical and collaborative. Clients can expect a therapist who mixes evidence-based techniques with narrative and mindfulness ideas, while keeping treatment anchored to daily life and achievable steps.

Therapeutic approaches you can use online

Acea commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in online sessions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and reflecting what a person says to help them feel heard and understood; it can be helpful for building self-esteem and exploring identity. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and teaches concrete skills to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, or change unhelpful habits.

Finding the right approach is a joint process. Acea will talk with each person about goals and preferences and try methods that fit those needs. She adjusts techniques over time and checks in to make sure the plan feels useful and manageable.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which offer flexibility for different routines. Video is useful for fuller conversation and nonverbal cues. Phone sessions can be easier if bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat or messaging works well for short updates, skill practice, or when writing feels more comfortable than speaking. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, parenting, or busy schedules.