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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Hi, my name is Sandra Guillen. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the state of California and have a Master of Arts in Psychology with an emphasize in Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Chapman University.  I believe therapy is most beneficial when the client feels heard and supported. This is why I prefer a client center approach when practicing therapy. My focus is in trauma work to include PTSD and complex trauma.

Autumn Byers is a compassionate and experienced therapist based in Fresno, CA. With a wealth of knowledge and a heartfelt commitment to helping others, she has been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) since 2008. Autumn's genuine empathy and understanding make her an invaluable ally for those seeking support and guidance. Autumn specializes in working with diverse populations, and she finds great fulfillment in assisting family caregivers, individuals navigating life transitions, and those grappling with grief.

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.

I find purpose in creating a safe space for clients to explore and process their thoughts and feelings, while ensuring they feel seen, heard, and understood. Clients who are a good match are seeking new ways to find expansion and authenticity in their lives, while adding to adaptive coping skills. Over the last 15 years, I have gained experience in providing treatment for a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, grief, relational issues, parenting, trauma, abuse, and risk management.

Hi! I am Stacey Rydell, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has a passion for helping those on their healing journey to find more meaning in life. I focus primarily on working with LGBTQ+, women-identifying adults ages 18-40 years old. Much of my experience is treating anxiety, depression, Bipolar, gender identity, and disordered eating. Working with adults of all ages, I guide my clients toward their inner knowing that we are all born with but have lost contact with due to trauma, societal pressures, family dynamics, and much more.

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.

Relationships, communication, work, school, marriage, child-rearing, illness, and all stages of life can be very challenging at times. I am dedicated to providing a highly supportive atmosphere where solutions to these challenges can be explored and found with compassion and respect. I enjoy working with adults, couples, teens, and families to build stronger relationships and deeper self-understanding to make life's journey more enjoyable. I have many years of experience working with families as a registered nurse, and as a therapist, I have a deep understanding of how health related issues can impact individuals and families.

Do you feel as if you are emotionally stuck and need a helping hand? Are you feeling overwhelmed, lost, and tired? You may be going through a life transition, relationship difficulty, or problems managing daily life. Most people go through times in their lives when they need some guidance. You don't have to go through this hardship alone. Reach out and let's get through this together. I am offering free consultations over the phone, at this time, to assess your comfort level before we have a full session. I am able to see individuals with a residence in the state of California and Nevada.

My name is Dan Banaitis, LMFT specializing in the treatment of anxiety and depression as well as treating adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I also work with couples, families and provide pre-marital counseling. I work with anxious and depressed clients that are highly motivated to make positive changes in their lives by engaging fully in the therapeutic process. I work with adult clients with ASD experiencing challenges with the social and emotional aspects of life. I am also pursuing certification as a Sex Addiction Specialist (CSAT) and can help clients suffering from sexual addictions.