Chronic Illness Therapists in Kern County, CA

First off, are you blown away that you are looking for a therapist? Are you asking yourself when did my life become so complicated? When did I lose myself? Why can’t I move on? It turns out we could all use some help. Life is hard, not having support in life is harder.

Loss is experienced through various forms during our lifetime – whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, divorce, children leaving for college or adolescents transitioning into adulthood. Together, we will navigate this journey called life. I believe we were all created with purpose and now that you’ve taken the brave, bold step to seek direction on the next steps of your life, I would love to be considered as your listener and guide.

I have been a clinical social worker for over thirty years, and have fifteen years specifically working in mental health. My specialties include helping people with chronic illness, anxiety, depression, LBGTQIA issues, and geriatrics. I work collaboratively with my clients to increase their well-being, using evidenced based treatments to improve their mental health and quality of life. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation, Psychodynamic Therapy, as well as tools from Dialectical Behavioral Therapsy, EMDR, and Rational Emotive Therapy.

My name is Vanessa Souza, and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) specializing in working with older adults and the people who care for them, whether personally or professionally. I have a particular focus on people living with memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, or other dementia, and their families and friends. I’m based in Silicon Valley, but provide service via telehealth throughout California. I have nearly 15 years of experience working with older adults, family caregivers (especially caregivers ages 20-50), and professional caregivers, and this is my specialty.

My name is Sarah Travis Buck and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I work collaboratively with my clients to help them become more self-aware and accepting so that they can realize their strengths, recognize what obstacles lie in their path, and take steps to make the changes they need to make. Together we will enquire into how you want to change your life, what it will take for you to make that happen, and what is blocking you.

The difficulties of everyday life can sometimes become overwhelming. When on top of those difficulties we add the stresses of illness, anxiety, depression, our identity, our love lives and more-we can easily feel burdened to our breaking point. We just don't feel heard. Sometimes these situations can linger for months or years, making it hard to meet our obligations and live our lives in the way we would like. However, those difficulties and stresses don't need to define who we are-or where we're going. It's my goal as a therapist to help you tell your story.

My name is Julie Stefan, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Orange County, CA, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults and specialize in individuals experiencing stress and anxiety/depression due to chronic illness or recovering from a traumatic injury or health condition. Using an eclectic, supportive approach I aim to help my clients feel cared for and to improve their current mood.

Therapy can be a way to get us back on track. I offer support and guidance with compassion. I believe in building a non-judgmental relationship with clients in order to reach autonomy, self-awareness, and empowerment.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Art Therapist and Certified Eating Disorder Creative Arts Therapist. I provide services to individuals, couples, families and groups in the Central Valley. As a LMFT I have worked with: at risk youth and their families, teens and families facing challenges associated with eating disorders, men and women exploring body image concerns, college students (at all ages and stages of life), couples, people of all ages dealing with anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns.

Sometimes, it's hard to know how to change things without the help of someone you trust. Perhaps you are ready to make a change in your life...ready to finally close the gap between the way your life is and the way you would like it to be? I'd like to help you along that journey. My goal is to help each client develop a pathway to achieve inner health, resolve conflicts, and find happiness and wholeness in their lives. Here, you will find an open, safe and empathic space for transformation.

My belief as a therapist and as a person is that all people, no matter where they are in life, are equipped with the innate ability to experience mental health. I do not see people as “broken”, rather, at some point in life, all people will find themselves “stuck” for one reason or another. My focus is to create a safe environment to educate and support clients while assisting them in meeting and exceeding their stated life goals.

Maternity Leave - I will update my account upon return around May 2024. If you are struggling with relationships, depression, anxiety, grief, and tired of patterns keeping you from moving forward, then I'm here to walk with you. I can help you understand how to shift your perspective, learn more about your past, how to cope with stressors, how to communicate more effectively, and more. You have it in you, and I can help introduce new skills and awareness in your life. I am also trained as an art therapist and can use artmaking as a tool in or out of session. I have experience in intensive outpatient therapy with teens and adults.

When suffering strikes, it can be helpful to find a framework through which we may understand it, rather than seeing suffering as a random or meaningless event in one’s life. Our suffering may come from the unseen, unfelt parts of our psyche, and/or from an unconscious perspective which only serves to keep us trapped in an outdated narrative. Meaningless suffering is extremely difficult to bear, while on the other hand, it is often astounding to witness how much a person can endure when we begin to make meaning of our suffering, and learn to transform anguish into wisdom and injury into healing.

Welcome to my profile. I believe it's important to find the Therapist that is right for you. I am passionate about diminishing the stigma surrounding mental health issues within my community.

My name is Jeanette Shin, LCSW - I believe we are capable of healing ourselves and can develop the ability to find self-compassion and the potential to thrive. I have worked mostly with adults, especially older adults, and feel able to work with clients dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, aging, grief, and bereavement. I approach clients on a mindfulness and client centered focus, with elements of CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and spirituality as needed.

Greetings, I'm Diamante! I am a bilingual Spanish/English licensed clinical social worker in both New York and Texas having worked in the mental health field since 2008. Over the years I've gained experience with people from ages 4 to 70+ from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of mental, emotional, and social challenges. I earned my Bachelors in Sociology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and my Master's in Social Work at Baylor University. I've worked in variety of schools and mental health agencies.

Life is full of challenges, and sometimes such challenges can become overwhelming and impede our daily lives. Are you feeling as though there is a constant cloud of self-doubt, frustration, hurt, anger, shame, etc., looming over you? Do you portray someone who ‘has it all together’, yet you are crumbling on the inside? Or maybe you are feeling completely debilitated by recent events in your life. You do not have to face this all on your own. I offer a safe, compassionate, non-judgmental space for you to express your true feelings.

Let’s get through this time and start your journey to a better version of you! My specialty is helping people deal with anxiety, stress, unhealthy/excessive behaviors or a traumatic event. You may have tried therapy many times in the past without the results you want. I'll help you learn ways to cope with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, low confidence, isolation, and uncertainty. We'll figure out what matters most to you, set goals, and set a path to action so you'll see results!

My name is Cherie Chavez, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing integrative psychotherapy via telehealth statewide in California. In 2009 I began counseling adults coping with severe mental illness and complex trauma, to help provide symptom relief and improve their quality of life. Having a diagnosis can feel stigmatizing; reaching out for help so you don't go it alone can be empowering. I am very comfortable and most experienced in working with adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression.