Howard Acosta

Compassionate, practical care for life’s toughest moments

LCSW California

Experience: 24 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy
Languages: English

About Howard

Howard Acosta is a licensed clinical social worker in California with 24 years of practice helping people navigate complex life challenges. He draws on long experience to address concerns such as stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, depression, anger, self-esteem, and coping with major life changes.

Background and approach

His approach is grounded in practical, evidence-informed methods and an emphasis on understanding each person’s circumstances and goals. Howard blends cognitive behavioral tools with mindfulness-based techniques and motivational interviewing to help clients build skills, shift unhelpful patterns, and strengthen resilience.

He also works with issues related to adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric concerns, co-morbidity, domestic violence, substance use, fatherhood matters, gender dysphoria, hospice and end-of-life counseling, impulsivity, isolation, men’s concerns, veteran and armed forces issues, mood disorders, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Sessions seek to be affirming and respectful of diverse backgrounds while focusing on concrete steps toward improved functioning and well-being.

Practical approaches for online care and skill building

Howard commonly uses cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness therapy in online work. Cognitive behavioral approaches focus on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and compulsive patterns. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-moment awareness and acceptance skills to reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation, often supporting work on grief, anger, and impulsivity.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist collaborates with each person to tailor approaches to their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they will evaluate what methods feel most helpful and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it possible to maintain regular care while balancing work, family, or travel, and they allow the therapist to provide consistent skill-building and coaching across a range of concerns.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Howard supports people with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, anger, self-esteem issues, and coping with life changes, along with additional focuses such as adoption and foster care, aging, and mood disorders.

What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?

Sessions use practical, goal-oriented methods including cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing to build coping skills and address unhelpful patterns.

How much clinical experience does this therapist have?

He brings 24 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of mental health and life-transition concerns.

What are the therapist's credentials and location?

Howard is an LCSW licensed in California with license number CA LCSW 74837 and practices from California.

Are sessions available in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.

Which session formats are offered for ongoing care?

He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How is cost and billing handled for therapy?

Cost varies depending on location and therapist availability; sessions are provided via a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are needed to begin therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety AddictionsLGBTParenting issuesAnger management

Also works with

Grief Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesCo-morbidityDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivity Isolation / lonelinessMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobias Post-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

24+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English