As a licensed therapist in California with over two decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My practice centers on addressing stress, anxiety, addiction, and mental health concerns with a compassionate, culturally responsive approach.
I have extensive expertise working with diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, older adults, and those navigating challenging life transitions. My therapeutic approach is deeply rooted in understanding each person's unique experiences, with a particular focus on issues like social anxiety, trauma recovery, mood disorders, and personal growth.
I am committed to creating a supportive, affirming environment where clients can explore their challenges, develop resilience, and work towards meaningful personal transformation. My approach integrates evidence-based practices tailored to meet each individual's specific needs and goals.
Whether you're struggling with panic attacks, relationship dynamics, addiction, or seeking support through significant life changes, I'm dedicated to walking alongside you with empathy, respect, and professional guidance.
Additional areas of focus:Grief, Self esteem, Depression, Coping with life changes, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Co-morbidity, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Men's issues, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Sexuality, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Howard Acosta. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Howard Acosta has been both a source of information and kindness to me. I’m so thankful that BetterHelp matched him with me.
Written on Mar 20, 2026 after therapy with Howard for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, and self esteem
Very pleased with Mr. Acosta.
Written on Dec 18, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, parenting issues, and self esteem
He’s great! Very knowledgeable
Written on Nov 22, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Howard is an amazing therapist; he listens, acknowledges, and offers practical and scientific methods to address emotional and psychological challenges! His voice and articulation are soothing. I highly recommend him!
Written on Nov 18, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
I can’t say enough positive things about working with Howard. He creates a safe, compassionate, and supportive space where I’ve always felt heard and understood. His approach is thoughtful and insightful, and he has an incredible ability to guide without judgment.
Written on Aug 26, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
He is very attentive and caring therapist
I couldn't ask for a better one,I always look forward to our sessions
Written on Aug 13, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Howard really listens to you. He challenges you as well as offers a safe space to delve deep into your feelings and thoughts
Written on Jul 08, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 2 months on issues concerning addictions, and self esteem
Great listener, provides feedback and is attentive to one’s needs
Written on May 20, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
Howard listens and gives me proactive ways to get ahead of my anxiety and intrusive thoughts to help me cope with the immediate situation. I appreciate that he actively listens and will ask questions to help with my situation.
Written on May 20, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and anger management
I appreciate my therapist’s professionalism. He is also extremely knowledgeable and asks the right questions. His recommendations and exercises have been very helpful!
Written on May 14, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, anger management, and career difficulties
He is very good
Written on May 11, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Howard has been absolutely amazing in the sense that he responds with urgency and very knowledgeable.
Written on Apr 23, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, grief, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
Mr. Howard is amazing! Very attentive yet responsive & solution based. He provides tool to help acknowledge triggers and tackle emotional reactions. Extremely grateful I found Mr. Howard. He’s the best!
Written on Apr 21, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, grief, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Very knowledgeable! I learned different coping mechanisms that help me with my everyday life when I feel triggered. Still going through therapy and I’m learning about myself in a deeper level. Accepting things I can’t control.
Written on Apr 01, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and anger management
Howard Acosta has been really helpful! He has provided tools that I can implement in my daily life that are easy to do. He provides the science behind these tools and how they are a benefit.
Written on Feb 26, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, and grief
Trauma informed!
Written on Feb 19, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Howard is very knowledgeable and has a solid process for addressing mental health.
Written on Feb 02, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, anger management, and career difficulties
Howard seems like a good therapist and I look forward to working with him.
Written on Jan 30, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and bipolar disorder
incredible, thank you!
Written on Jan 23, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning anger management, coaching, and adhd
Howard has been a pleasure to work with. I live the feedback and the assignments given to ensure I am on track.
Written on Jan 17, 2025 after therapy with Howard for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and adhd
He is attentive and understanding
Written on Dec 18, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 1 month on issues concerning addictions, and trauma and abuse
A promising start, he listened well, gave good advice, was very approachable, and I look forward to continuing.
Written on Dec 09, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, and career difficulties
The therapist i was matched with was Howard Acosta. Im so glad I was. He is knowledgeable and understanding. I don't feel judged talking to him. The more we talk the more I feel comfortable opening up about my past trauma and issues. He is the type that doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to methods to help with my anxiety and depression. He is absolutely amazing and I wouldn't switch therapists for anything. Working with him gives me hope that my future could actually be something I can look forward to.
Written on Dec 04, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, anger management, and adhd
Howard Acosta is definitely a good therapist by all means. Good listener and objective feedback, such as smart communication and understanding.
Written on Dec 04, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Howard is great and easy to talk to. He offers ways to deal with issues.
Written on Nov 23, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes
Mr. Acosta is very welcoming and understanding. His resources and techniques have assisted my progress.
Written on Nov 15, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and self esteem
He is great.
Written on Jul 22, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Howard has been an amazing resource. I have gone to therapy for years but never had a therapist who has helped me the way that Howard has. I truly appreciate how he interacts with and gives me tools to combat my problems.
Written on Feb 23, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching
It was my first session with Howard, but I am amazed at how much I learned. Can’t wait to put my exercises to practice and see what I’ll gain from my sessions.
Written on Feb 17, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, and comp
Very smart and well spoken
Written on Feb 01, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Howard A. has been a positive force in helping tame my anxiety and thought rumination. He listens and gives great insight. The science-backed techniques he has taught me have been really helpful. Big thumbs up!
Written on Jan 23, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
I needed someone to talk to about the stressor that currently plague me. It is a great listener and gives great tools to help me. I appreciate him very much
Written on Jan 19, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, anger management, and coping with life changes
Howard Acosta is wonderfully approachable and highly skilled. He really listens, asks insightful questions, and provide truly useful techniques. I've benefitted significantly from just a very few sessions with him.
Written on Jan 11, 2024 after therapy with Howard for 1 month on issues concerning trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related issues
Howard has been a great help to me! He's an excellent resource and very knowledgable.
Written on Dec 05, 2023 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Howard has science-based, proven techniques for addressing stress. He provided me methods for quick relief from stress symptoms. Of course, addressing the cause could take much longer. But feeling less stressed about my stressor is very helpful, and lets me focus better on practical resolutions.
Written on Dec 03, 2023 after therapy with Howard for 1 month on issues concerning coping with life changes
Howard is the best therapist I’ve ever had, and I have worked with many :)
Written on Sep 27, 2023 after therapy with Howard for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd
He's amazing. Seriously amazing. He goes above and beyond and is a really great listener. Whenever I need to press the 'Emergency button, I need help' he is the ultimate calm. Thank U!
Written on Sep 21, 2023 after therapy with Howard for 1 year and 11 months
Howard is an excellent therapist. He really takes the time to listen and understand what I say. He goes beyond just asking open ended questions, as some therapists I have had will do. He will engage in a conversation which helps me to understand where feelings are coming from and provides quick and simple ways of addressing those feelings. I would highly recommend Howard to anyone looking for a judgement-free and results oriented relationship with their therapist.
Written on May 01, 2023 after therapy with Howard for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, and relationship issues
have never felt so seen. and that is the root.
Written on Jan 11, 2023 after therapy with Howard for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, adhd, and lgbt
I would strongly recommend my therapist to friends and colleagues because he understands what I’m going threw and listens to me, He also make’s good suggestions
Written on Jan 03, 2023 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, and adhd
He's a good therapist.
Written on Dec 17, 2022 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, self esteem, and adhd
It has been a couple of weeks since I started my sessions with Howard. I feel comfortable in our sessions and couldn’t be happier with the progress. Positive advice and helpful techniques like diaphragmatic breathing to help manage my anxiety. I believe CBT therapy is a excellent way to help anyone feel better. I appreciate your help, thank you Howard.
Written on Oct 20, 2021 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Howard is great and his approach is working...
Written on Oct 20, 2021 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning anger management
Very friendly and easy to talk to.
Written on Aug 03, 2021 after therapy with Howard for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
Howard has given me immediate, practical help for my issues. I am very excited to be working with someone who delves into behavioral changes right away, backed up by the cognitive readjustment we all need.
Written on Jul 27, 2021 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and addictions
Very educated, calm and supportive.
Written on Jul 26, 2021 after therapy with Howard for 2 weeks on issues concerning addictions, and trauma and abuse
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