Bakersfield, CA, is sometimes called “Nashville West” thanks to its contributions to country music. While Bakersfield has certainly influenced the genre, it did it in its own way. The electric-guitar-driven sound of Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakum that dominated country music in the 1950s and early 1960s was known as the Bakersfield Sound. Are you looking to do something a little bit differently? Talking to a therapist Bakersfield CA can help you figure out how to do things your own way.
There are many types of therapy that may work for you: individual and group therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and Christian counseling, just to name a few. If you’re interested in a client centered approach to mental health services that you can access from your own home, consider signing up for counseling services with BetterHelp.
BetterHelp therapists in Bakersfield CA are qualified and licensed to practice therapy and have at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice. If you’re interested in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or are unsure what’s the best appraoch for you, a BetterHelp therapist can help. And, if you’re worried about therapy costs, subscriptions cost between $65 to $90 per week (billed every four weeks), which my be more affordable than many in-person treatment.
Working with a professional in the mental health field can help you learn how to manage difficult life transitions, trauma related issues, or any other challenges. Speak to a Bakersfield-based counselor below to get started.

Dr. Terence "Terry" Rooney
Hello: I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist with 35+ years of clinical experience. Consequently I have a number of areas of interest and expertise that include: mental health, substance use disorders, grief and loss, spectrum disorders, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, relational issues and family therapy. I describe myself as a classically trained therapist with an eclectic tool box. Although I have worked extensively in the public sector, I received all of my clinical supervision for my license in private practice. I enjoy working with people who are seeking knowledge and self-improvement; however, I can work with just about anyone any point in their personal journey. My orientation is brief solution-focused therapy, but I have worked with individuals with challenging issues that require more time. I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things. I welcome the opportunity to work with you.

Zaya Kuykendall
Do you ever feel like you just need to reset, to get a tune-up so to speak? You are not alone, if you have. Life happens fast! At times it can be hard and we, as mere humans, have to fight to find balance. That balance, reset button, tune-up is within you and as my client I will assist you in finding it. I will take the time to help you reconnect with yourself, regulate your emotions and assess your goals/priorities. Through a collaborative approach, we will share our thoughts, ideas and then decide how to move forward. I encourage openness, honesty - a sense of stability that will help facilitate dialogue and growth. I have an eclectic therapeutic approach with heavy influences of Gestalt, motivational interviewing and Solution Focus therapy. I provide support and feedback - in order to assist clients in addressing obstacles that they may encounter in their lives. I focus on building personal strengths, obtaining ‘closure’ with unfinished business (road blocks) and identifying feelings/emotions. Sessions will work towards a journey of self-awareness. I have been working in the helping field for more than fifteen years, and as a practicing psychotherapist for ten. I have a Bachelors of Science in Psychology (2000) and graduated with my Master of Arts in Professional Counseling in 2004. I have developed a knowledge base and specialization in the areas of domestic violence, child development/parenting, familial discord, women’s issues, and substance abuse throughout the years. I provide therapy with children and adults in individual, group, family, couples and e-therapy platforms. The journey of life is filled with bumps, turns, twist, manholes, road blocks & ditches; whatever the obstacles we face, we MUST stay on the road. We can not give up on self. Only on your personal road, on your journey will you find your inner calm and tranquility...let's make happiness a part of your journey. It is my belief that therapy is mental wound treatment. Just as you would not let a burn on your arm fester with no treatment, you should not let faulty cognitions (stinking thinking), past trauma and other life experiences fester. These mental wounds need care; identification, treatment, plan of care and the ability to heal.

Marisa Katzman
Hello! My name is Marisa and I am a Licensed Clinical Social worker (LCSW) in the state of California and Licensed Independent Social Worker in the state of South Carolina (LISW). I have ten years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with overcoming/coping with addictions, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Michele Lando
Hello. I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional therapeutic work experience. In my private practice in Northern California, I provide therapy and professional consultation. I am 2e (Twice Exceptional), Neurodivergent & LGBTQIA affirming. My training and specialization center on trauma-informed integrative therapy. Certification and training including mindful CBT, Brain-spotting & Trauma Informed Yoga Therapy, PSI Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, Solution Focused Narrative therapy, & Motivational Interviewing. Additional areas of competency include working with Neurodivergent/Autistic/ADHD/2e (Twice Exceptional) clients. Interventions utilized include mindfulness, CBT/DBT/ACT, EFT attachment therapy, grief & loss, motivation, self esteem & confidence, & managing compassion fatigue. Relational, attachment & somatic therapies such as Brain-spotting help us to heal our nervous systems and grow resilience. Identifying strengths and navigating challenges together through narrative and family systems therapy builds skills to form more secure attachments and improve relationships. When we shift our focus toward resilience, we set ourselves up for growth.

Lucille Estrada
I am licensed in California with 19 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Kathryn Eden
I am licensed in California with 34 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, depression, & coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! I provide psychotherapy in a caring, compassionate and comfortable atmosphere.Clients are treated as unique individuals, never losing sight of the fact that their issues are not expected to fit a specific diagnostic code, but instead are varied and distinct in every case. This requires, demands and deserves a client-centered therapeutic approach that is the cornerstone of my practice.I have dedicated my profession to improving and enhancing the mental health and well-being of my clients. Adhering to the guiding principle that a healthful mind is inextricably bound to physical health and merits, at the very least, the same level of care and concern. I work with adults, young adults, particularly those transitioning to living independently or coping with the demands of college. Focus: adjustment difficulties, relationships, developmental challenges, anxiety,depression. I collaborate with clients to increase self-awareness, process their emotions, and learn new skills.I use insight-oriented, supportive, mindfulness-based,cognitive behavior therapy approaches, The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial, dynamic relationship between people and animals that positively influences the health of clients and pet therapy is helpful in reducing anxiety and depression. While this is an online forum I support your bond to your pets to help reduce current distressing symptoms.. An emerging body of research is recognizing the impact the bond can have on individual and community health. More information on credentials see : https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kathryn-eden-providence-ri/191923

Lindsay Hutchins
I am licensed in California with 28 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Jonathon Yassanye
LIFE CAN BE FULFILLING! We have ALL experienced stress, anger, anxiety and depression at different points of time, yet sometimes having one or all of these emotions can be overwhelming to the point of creating constant dysfunction in day-to-day living. Therapy is a liberating avenue to explore oneself and find inner peace that may be hidden under internal and external factors. It is important to feel heard and validated, especially when one is at their wits’ end. I am a firm believer in meeting each client where they are at in their journey of life and learning how they would like to approach their presenting problem(s), whether it be though visiting past experiences or keeping the discussion within the present moment; we will be able to co-create an individualized plan to help alleviate symptoms, as well as promote a healthier you, through psychoeducation, healthy interventions and self-care techniques. I am a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and bring six years of clinical expertise to the field of adult mental health. During graduate school, I interned at Circle Health Services (formerly The Free Clinic) in Cleveland, Ohio, where I advanced my therapeutic skills in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), anger management skill training and brief psychodynamic therapies, while keeping a person-centered approach to the therapeutic relationship with my clients. Later, I had the privilege to join Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland (JFSA), where I completed additional education in Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Here, I learned not only about different causes of cognitive decline and the biological facets that may be affected, but how to engage with an individual no matter what stage of cognitive impairment they are experiencing. In addition to working with affected individuals, I provided on-going psychotherapy to family caregivers, to help reduce the stress and burden that often occurs while caregiving. Throughout my time at JFSA, I earned my clinical license in social work, while being supervised by a clinical social worker who helped deepen my breadth of knowledge in Gestalt therapy, as well as grief and loss, experientialism, depression and anxiety. I have been trained by the co-founder, Dr. Carey Sherman, PhD., to facilitate the Savvy Caregiver Program and by Dr. Elizabeth O’Toole, MD, to administer an array of psychological measures, including the GDS, MoCA, PHQ-9, The Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, QOL-AD, and the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy. Additionally, I have completed training and one-on-one supervision with Dr. Todd Pressman PhD. who created and certified me in his Deconstructing Anxiety model. https://toddpressman.com/certified-practitioners/

Ana Maria Berryman
I am licensed in California with 21 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with grief, coping with loss, depression, & coping with life changes. I also have experience working with compassion fatigue. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

Christina Balboni
I am licensed in California with 8 years of professional work experience. I have worked in the geriatric field for over a decade and truly found my calling and passion with this beautiful population of people. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with general grief as well as end of life care and coping with loss. Lack of motivation or self esteem, confidence, & depression, we can tackle together. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!
Find a therapist serving clients in California
Types of therapists available to clients in Bakersfield
Understanding the type of therapy you'd like to search for is crucial before finding a therapist or psychologist. Be sure to narrow your search for therapists in Bakersfield that can offer psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy for individuals or couples, or couples therapy depending on your needs.
Licensed therapists & mental health professionals available through BetterHelp's online platform
Mental health therapists in Bakersfield available through BetterHelp are accredited to help individuals and couples. Bakersfield therapists' credentials can include licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), and clinician or doctor of psychology (PsyD). Regardless of their licensure, Bakersfield therapists are trained in any type of therapy in the Bakersfield region and in the state of California.
How a therapist can help you destress, manage your emotions, and guide you towards the life you want
Therapists in Bakersfield can help clients in improving healthy relationships, communication skills, working through life transitions, couples challenges, managing a mood disorder, improving coping skills, self help tips, offer life coaching, family life, or change in negative thinking patterns. A therapist in Bakersfield may also provide a safe place and validation for clients experiencing emotional pain, or that simply want a psychological assessment.