Acea Starks

Acea Starks is a non-traditional therapist who uses a holistic approach to mental health. She is licensed to practice counseling in Vermont, South Dakota, Georgia, Alaska, and Florida and brings 11 years of clinical experience working with diverse populations.

She took an unconventional path into mental health. After first pursuing an English major, Acea returned to higher education later in life and completed an associate degree in psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a master’s degree in mental health counseling while also maintaining employment. She began her counseling training in her 30s and has balanced study and work throughout her journey.

Acea is comfortable sharing that her personal style is a bit outside the mainstream - she has piercings, tattoos, purple hair, and identifies with a goth aesthetic. She also values language and writing, and will occasionally use uncommon words or literary references; she welcomes questions if something she says is unclear and will gladly rephrase.

Her early career interests included nursing, and she enrolled in a nursing program before focusing fully on mental health. Along the way she has held many jobs, including working at Wal-Mart twice and a brief stint digging graves by shovel. Those varied experiences inform her practical, down-to-earth perspective.

Acea describes her clinical style as eclectic - she does not believe in one-size-fits-all treatments. She emphasizes goal-setting and accountability while equipping clients with practical tools to address their particular concerns. She prioritizes self-care and work-life balance, and is intentional about stepping away from work when possible - often strapping a pack to her back and hiding in the woods to recharge.