Therapist Howard Acosta Photo

Howard Acosta, LCSW

Stress, Anxiety Addictions LGBTQ+ Parenting issues Anger management
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

HELLO! Feeling stuck? We live in challenging times and relief doesn't seem fast enough these days. I've been there, I've been counseling 24+ years and I know what works and what works fast. My job as a licensed psychotherapist is to get you in-and-out as soon as possible and to ensure you learn what works by teaching you up-front, rapid, science-based coping methods and strategies that work to quickly move you towards more relaxation, self-control and/or joy as fast as possible. In fact I've written books about it titled "UCoping" and "UCoping: Interactive Edition" available on Amazon. The methods in UCoping are the methods I use in treatment. They CUT TO THE CHASE, without all the PSYCHOBABBLE and instead teach you how to RAPIDLY use science-based coping correctly. Then I teach how to CRYSTALIZE the methods for life in as short of an amount of sessions as possible—usually 2-5 sessions. After then we can triage for transition to long-term therapy if needed! This is how I practice in treatment. It all comes through an active faith, being a licensed therapist and through the academics of clinical psychotherapy.

I treat anxiety, depression, sexual identity distress (not sex addiction) with co-occurring drug/alcohol issues, as applicable. I also treat symptoms of anger management and psychosis (not personality disorders) and provide parenting psychoeducation. I teach clients how to turn evidence-based coping methods into habits for life! I add faith, spiritual and/or religious discussions as needed in a style that is calm, warm and compassionate. I mostly use Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy (CBT), some Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution-Focused Treatment (SFT) to name a few. Let's get started working together to get you unstuck fast for life!

Professional experience

24yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Addictions LGBTQ+ Parenting issues Anger management

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, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Men's issues, Military and Veterans 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

Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

CA LCSW 74837

Reviews

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 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