Mental Health Therapy in Bakersfield

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Therapists in Bakersfield

Dolores Aguilar

Bakersfield, California - Licensed Professional Counselor
Online

I am licensed in California with 6 years of professional work experience. Some of my experience is in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbt-related issues, motivation, self esteem, trauma, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach is Solution Focused/ Strength Based however I do have training in Motivational Interviewing, DBT, and CBT. My goal is to help you build on skills and strengths you already possess and I utilize a Trauma Informed approach. 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 glad you are getting started! My current practice hours are 8:00am—5:00pm Monday- Friday. I generally can respond at least once per morning and once per evening, sometimes more! You can also book a live session with me ahead of time, if you do not see an open slot please message and I’ll try my best to accommodate you. Please remember that BetterHelp (or specialty site!) is not appropriate if you are in crisis or in immediate need of support. In crisis situations, please call 911, 988 or local emergency services. You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to someone right away! CANCELATION/NO SHOW POLICY This counselor encourages at least 24-hour notice of appointment cancellation. Should an individual need to cancel an appointment, the individual will inform the counselor at their earliest convenience. Should the individual need to cancel fewer than 24 hours before their appointment, the cancellation will be reported as a “no-show/late cancellation” and they will receive an auto-generated alert email from BetterHelp indicating this. This counselor will wait 15 minutes after the scheduled appointment start time, if the individual does not come online prior to that time, the counselor will consider the individual as a no-show and the session will need to be rescheduled. After 2 late cancellations/no-shows within a month, the counselor may not be able to continue to accommodate preferred session times and dates. If this occurs, the counselor will not allow scheduling during “premium hours” such as Early Morning (before 10 am), Late Afternoon (after 3 pm). The counselor will require attendance at 2 consecutive appointments in order to begin to allow scheduling during “premium hours” again. Should there be 3 late cancellations/no-shows within a 6-week span, the counselor may recommend that the individual seek in-person treatment and/or switch counselors on the BetterHelp Platform.

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Prof. Randolph (Randy) Beasley

Bakersfield, California - Marriage And Family Therapist
Online

Hello! Welcome to the BetterHelp community! My name is Randy Beasley I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist here in California. I have been providing psychotherapy and emotional growth services for a wide variety of issues within a number of roles for the past 10+ years. A little bit about me, I graduated with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Biola University and completed a Masters Degree in Theology from Liberty University. I was pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Theology when I felt therapy was a better way for me to help people. I completed my Master of Arts Degree from Touro University in Marriage and Family Therapy. Previously I worked as a pastor and Christian camp director developing curriculum and teaching. I have experience working with addiction, foster services, wraparound, competency restoration, and couples/family therapy having worked within community-based clinics, substance use treatment facilities, a state hospital, and jail. I have received training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, managing adaptive practices, interpersonal therapy, The Gottman Method, as well as being a certified Mandt trainer (crisis intervention) and strength deployment inventory (motivational values psychometric) facilitator. I would describe my approach as goal-oriented and client-centered. I use solution-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and an existential therapy approach to foster awareness while developing pragmatic solutions to problems. Goals are developed together and focused on changing patterns of thinking or behaviors driven by unmet needs, when these change we frequently change how we feel. I believe healing hinges on the relationships you develop and progress ultimately follows an individual conquest of fear and acceptance of responsibility. I hope to make that journey with you.

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Felicia Ponce

Bakersfield, California - Marriage And Family Therapist
Online

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California, working in the field since I received my Master’s degree in 2010. I worked for a private non-profit clinic with children (0-18) and their families for five years. I then worked for a high school district providing educationally related mental health services for four years before beginning the journey of practicing independently. I have experience providing treatment for a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, grief, relational issues, parenting, trauma, abuse, and risk management. I also have experience teaching as an adjunct lecturer in undergraduate and graduate psychology programs at a California State University. The desire for human connection and abnormal psychology have fascinated me since I was a teenager, which resulted in my choice to become a therapist. Each work environment has provided me with knowledge and experience, but also with the honor of being present for clients at their most vulnerable and brave moments. I like to create a sense of safety for clients and draw from a person-centered approach in sessions. This means that I will remain curious about your experience and facilitate discussion which will lead you to discover that you have always held the key to unlock solutions. I also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems approach, and Solution Focused Therapy to guide treatment. Maintaining trauma-informed care is essential and I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). Every therapist is different. I tend to be somewhat laid back, as I believe clients are the experts on their lives and I want you to know the hour is yours. We will work together as a team to collaborate on treatment goals, addressing challenges, and resolving issues. I believe everyone has mental health. The severity and intensity it needs attention varies throughout our life span, just like most things. It takes courage to ask for help and I feel privileged to be in the position to provide you with support and guidance as you work towards feeling like the best version of yourself. I look forward to working with you!

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Jeffrey Stambook

Bakersfield, California - Marriage And Family Therapist
Online

As a Marriage and Family Therapist, I enjoy working with a diverse set of clients. Licensed in California since 2006 I have had the pleasure of sitting down to talk with a great number of individuals who were struggling with a variety of concerns. My work in mental health began in 1998 in a small farming community just outside of Bakersfield, CA. I was fortunate enough to be hired by a community health clinic to provide mental health case management for children and families. It was there that I realized my desire to help others and found my motivation to continuing me education and training. I went on to work at a variety of jobs including a mental hospital for a period of time so that I would have the skills necessary to serve clients in private practice. I began seeing clients in my own office shortly after getting licensed. I believe that one of the very best things that I can offer my clients is the gift of being heard. I will provide a safe space where clients can share their greatest challenges and know that I am listening. I will not judge them but will do my very best to encourage them and help them find solutions to their problems. I promise to treat every client with the highest level of respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I tend to approach my work from a cognitive-behavioral perspective. My work with individuals often involves some effort to change old habits including negative thinking. Marriage counseling has always been a significant part of my work. Those who do marriage well, take time to know what is going on with one another and make time to enjoy each other. I have had training in the methods of Drs. John and Julie Gottman and use their material with most of the couples that I see. You do not need to be “crazy” or be in significant distress to seek counseling. Sometimes our beliefs or expectations of ourselves or of counseling result in a delay in seeking help until situations become serious, or we are already in crisis. Many people tell us that they wish they had come to counseling sooner. Save yourself some avoidable distress and seek counseling earlier rather than later.

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Free Mental Health Resources in California

Connection to local resources and free crisis counseling services for people affected by a disaster, free crisis counseling service providers, and self-help disaster-related educational materials.
Phone warmline line offering non-emergency emotional support for adults with disabilities who are age 60 or older and their caregivers. Languages spoken include English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Korean. Call 1-888-670-1360.
Provide Services for
Men Women Seniors
Provides free coaching for children ages 0-12 and their parents for help with social skills, emotional regulation, sleep problems, stress, or other behavioral health issues. Access services via video sessions, phone chat, or through educational materials. A phone app is also available. Register on the website.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students
This agency’s website provides a Mental Health Resources for Youth section with links to numerous supportive organizations specializing in services for young adults and teens including organizations focusing on LGBTQ or trans youth, youth involved in foster care, and youth impacted by crime. Also includes family and school resources.
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Teens & Students LGBTQ Disability
The California Department of Health Care Services website provides an opioid response section where information and links to programs related to opioid-related substance abuse treatments can be found. Programs include harm reduction, overdose prevention, MAT treatment programs, and access to the free California Atlas Treatment Locator directory.
Provide Services for
Depression PTSD Substance Abuse
A free phone app for Gen Z kids ages 13 to 18 to offer support for personal and peer-related emotional issues, social issues, stress, and coping with life difficulties. Download phone app or printed materials online.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ
Provides free, 45 to 60 minute online educational webinars on topics of mental health and emotional wellness for teens, parents, and caregivers. Also works with schools and school counselors to provide in-school programs. Access program information and training modules on the website.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ
Website offers links to evidence-based educational information in written format and in short video clips. A Q&A section, references, and feedback sections are included. Controversial topics, including pornography and sexting, gender-variant information, and encounters with the criminal justice system, are discussed candidly.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ Depression Substance Abuse
Online database links to therapists by name or zip code. Users can also search according to criteria of choice by selecting checkboxes. Options to choose from include therapist’s ethnicity, services offered, treatment styles, ages served, languages offered, methods of treatment, issues to be discussed, and insurances accepted.
Offers a search link to find behavioral health and substance abuse services, as well as medical care and food assistance by zip code in California. A state map with search icons also links to facilities, providing contact information and information on services offered.
Website from the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of San Francisco provides links to free or low-cost counseling providers, such as medical centers, community centers, and others. Specialty providers including marital counselors, LGBTQIA-focused counselors, and Christian counseling centers are on the list.
Provide Services for
Teens & Students BIPOC LGBTQ Men Women
A database of mental health resources is included on this NAMI website. You can search by category of services provided or mental health diagnosis. Contact information including name, address, and phone number of each facility is provided, as well as email address and website. Searches by provider name are also available.
Suicide prevention services including a Suicide Response Team, free follow-up services for patients who survive suicide attempts, and a free phone crisis line, available by dialing 988 or by using the online link. Free or low-cost assessment and mental health services are available to low-income individuals.
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Teens & Students Men Women Veterans First Responders Depression Anxiety Substance Abuse
Counseling services focused on women and trauma offering individual, group, family, marital, and substance abuse counseling. In-person and low-cost online video counseling sessions are available. An equine/horse therapy program is also available as an alternative to talk therapy.
Provide Services for
Depression PTSD Anxiety Grief Substance Abuse
Along with counseling services, links to emergency and non-emergency hotlines, and housing support, THMA connects adults and youth with mental illness and their families to counseling and support services that are available by phone or in-person. Call 805-540-6571 for details and intake.
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