Meet Dr. Acosta
About Me
I am a Licensed Psychologist and have been serving adolescents, adults, and families in the greater Houston area for over 15 years.
I received my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Houston in 2005, my masters in Counseling Psychology in 2001, and my Bachelor’s from Southern Methodist University in English, Spanish, and Latin American Studies in 1999. I have worked in private school, university, community, and hospital settings. My clinical specialties include eating disorders, body image concerns, family concerns, anxiety and depression, issues of identity and gender development, transition to adulthood, and adjustment to stressors. I aim to provide efficacious and tailored clinical care for clients of all ages with varied mental health needs.
My Approach to Therapy
My therapeutic approach is client-centered, cooperative, interpersonal, and supportive with a focus on developing coping skills and solutions to manage challenges and achieve personalized therapeutic goals. I utilize various therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-informed skills to help clients understand the impact their thoughts, feelings, and actions have on their well being and life course.
My work is guided by a strength-based approach where together we are able to identify each client’s interpersonal assets, individual traits, unique insight and the personalized coping skills that will best help them achieve their goals.
Speaking Engagements
I have given several talks, workshops, seminars, and presentations in the community throughout my career. It is my passion to foster learning environments that minimize mental health stigma, increase understanding, and promote public health. My academic interests and speaking experiences include: eating disorders, adolescent development, strength based psychology, bullying, parenting in the digital age, digital wellness, transition and mental health, cultural body image themes, self care, compassion fatigue and burnout in the workplace.
Professional Experience
Since August 2011 I was a psychologist and assistant professor in the Adolescent Medicine Section at Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine. There I served on an Interdisciplinary team serving families and teens both inpatient and outpatient. I also completed a two year postdoctoral fellowship at Texas children’s (2005-2007).
I’ve also worked in school settings, serving as the middle school psychologist at The Kinkaid School (2008-2012), and at Texas A&M during internship where I worked in the university student counseling service (2003-2004).
These diverse and in-depth experiences have led me to begin my own practice (Amy Acosta Phd PLLC) and partner with Nickie Haine to start West Houston Counseling and Psychology LLC with the hopes of building a community where I can support the mental health needs of people in my hometown by offering personal therapy, family therapy, seminars, and workshops in private practice.
If you feel I can meet your needs or wish to know more about my services, please contact me below for a free consultation.
Request a Consultation
Request a free 10-minute consultation below.
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