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Howard Acosta, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Howard is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Howard. View 27 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in California

Recent reviews

He is attentive and understanding

Reviewed December 2024

A promising start, he listened well, gave good advice, was very approachable, and I look forward to continuing.

Reviewed December 2024

More about Howard

  • 24 years' experience
  • Male
  • LCSW

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!

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Addictions LGBT Parenting issues Anger management 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

Treatment Approaches

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused Therapy

Licenses

Howard Acosta's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1043590953.

  • LCSW · California · 74837 · Expires July 2026

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Howard Acosta

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

27 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Amazing Understanding Anxiety Excellent Helpful Listens Calm Comfortable Easy

He is attentive and understanding

Reviewed December 2024

A promising start, he listened well, gave good advice, was very approachable, and I look forward to continuing.

Reviewed December 2024

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.

Reviewed December 2024

Howard Acosta is definitely a good therapist by all means. Good listener and objective feedback, such as smart communication and understanding.

Reviewed December 2024

Howard is great and easy to talk to. He offers ways to deal with issues.

Reviewed November 2024

Mr. Acosta is very welcoming and understanding. His resources and techniques have assisted my progress.

Reviewed November 2024

He is great.

Reviewed July 2024

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.

Reviewed February 2024

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.

Reviewed February 2024

Very smart and well spoken

Reviewed February 2024

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!

Reviewed January 2024

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

Reviewed January 2024

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.

Reviewed January 2024

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!

Reviewed September 2023

Howard has been a great help to me! He's an excellent resource and very knowledgable.

Reviewed December 2023

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.

Reviewed December 2023

Howard is the best therapist I’ve ever had, and I have worked with many :)

Reviewed September 2023

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.

Reviewed May 2023

have never felt so seen. and that is the root.

Reviewed January 2023

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

Reviewed January 2023

He's a good therapist.

Reviewed December 2022

Love it

Reviewed August 2022

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.

Reviewed November 2021

Howard is great and his approach is working...

Reviewed November 2021

Very friendly and easy to talk to.

Reviewed August 2021

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.

Reviewed July 2021

Very educated, calm and supportive.

Reviewed July 2021

How was your experience with Howard?

Frequently asked questions

Does Howard Acosta offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Howard Acosta works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Howard Acosta speak?

Howard Acosta speaks English.

How many years of experience does Howard Acosta have?

Howard Acosta has 24 years of experience.

Where is Howard Acosta licensed to practice?

Howard Acosta is licensed to practice in California.

Does Howard Acosta accept clients outside of the United States?

Yes, Howard Acosta accepts clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Howard Acosta offer?

Howard Acosta offers clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Howard Acosta?

Howard Acosta can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Howard Acosta?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.