Compassion Focused Therapists in Kern County, CA

Hi, my name is Dr. Kristina Holt-Reber, and I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist. I value and put collaboration with YOU first and use a person-centered, humanistic, and trauma-informed approach to therapy. I have spent a lot of my education focusing on Trauma and Anxiety related disorders and have a passion for serving the LGBTQIA+ community. I typically work with clients struggling with anxiety, mood or trauma-related concerns and feel very comfortable treating those conditions.

I offer empathy and safety, an opportunity for you to feel truly “heard” by someone who cares. My sessions consist of both processing emotions and exercises/tools to support your unique needs & goals. My name is Sheryl Doering, a licensed marriage & family therapist & registered art therapist.

Counseling is for normal people who get stuck; we all get stuck. Most of lifes ups and downs produce loss or adjustment. We all want to be happy and feel loved. I am experienced in life losses; not only as a therapist of 24 years but also as an older human being. We all have things we can learn and change within ourselves. I would feel honored to walk with you as you grow and move forward. Areas I enjoy working with include; life transitions/challenges, codependence and boundaries, depression, menopause, women at midlife, self esteem, stress reduction, and spiritual direction.

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.

Cierra Anderson, a Ridgecrest native, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the Indian Wells Valley. Cierra graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Community Health from Azusa Pacific University. Most recently, she received a Master’s of Science in Professional Clinical Counseling from Grand Canyon University in 2020.

My name is Candice Givens Omar, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing virtual therapy for those in California and North Carolina. My main focus areas are with adults experiencing navigating mood disorders, life transitions, and/or navigating through past trauma. I use an electric and collaborative approach to therapy using both evidence-based practices and non-traditional treatment methods. My client focus ranges from younger to older adults who are navigating life transitions or are dealing with the impacts of mood disorders, generational trauma, and workplace stress.

My name is Rosa Dixon and I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) 132489 with a passion for helping others develop a healthy way of functioning that provides them with satisfaction in their daily lives. My best work has been supporting those struggling with regulating their moods, organizing their thoughts, and activating their behaviors to function in life with a sense of satisfaction. The ideal person has symptoms presenting with anxiety, depression, and problems created by socio-economic conditions.

My name is Marina Alexander, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Los Angeles, California, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I was born in Ukraine and speak Russian fluently. I work with adults and couples and specialize in anxiety and stress management, alleviating trauma and PTSD, managing life transitions, issues related to aging, and of course - challenges in interpersonal relationships. I am also a Transformational Life coach, trained and certified by the Brave Thinking Institute.

We all struggle at times and our struggles are our own, do not compare what may feel catastrophic to you to what others are dealing with. I have been practicing for 12 years and revolve my practice around person-centered therapy; non-judgment, genuineness & positive regard. I will accept you for who you are and we will start where you are. My goal is to help you reach your goals. I find that humor, compassion, and authenticity allow my clients to feel comfortable and progress at the same time. Since 2010, I have provided intensive therapy at institutional, residential, and outpatient levels of care for adults and adolescents.

Laura M. Van Waardenburg, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. There is a way to feel better and get your life back. The key to making lasting improvements is to have a skilled, trained therapist help guide you with compassion. Depending on your needs I may support you with the use of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). I come from a humanistic, client-centered, and culturally sensitive approach to all my clients.

Ever feel like all you do in therapy is talk about problems, but never get to the really important part of making concrete changes? I know many individuals have expressed these concerns to me. So, you may ask, "How can I change that?" Enter Evidence-Based Practice! Research shows us how to do it! It shows us what works and what doesn’t work. I can take those findings and translate them into the changes you are seeking to make in your life. It takes the guesswork out of getting from Point A to Point B. You’ll spend less time in therapy as your goals will be focused and tracked so we know we are moving in the right direction.

Hi! My name is Poppy Peluce-Fune. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience. My focus is you! I use an eclectic approach that is specifically designed to meet your needs, your healing potential, and at the pace you choose. I have a passion for fostering the human potential toward healing. I would love to go on this personal journey with you! Although I have worked with clients of all ages and presenting concerns from various walks of life, my approach is a good fit for older teens and younger to middle-aged individuals.

It is an honor to guide you on your journey. My passion is to support my clients in becoming more self-aware and increase peace of mind, and overall well-being. I have been so privileged to hear the stories and witness the deep transformations of my clients. You deserve a space where you are seen, heard, and validated. My therapeutic style is warm, nonjudgmental, and friendly. I create a safe space for you to explore challenging issues/events and my clinical approaches – Gestalt, Cognitive Behavior, Solution-focused, and Mindfulness therapy will support our work together.

My name is Natalie Rhyne, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 97859. I believe the therapeutic space should provide both containment and flexibility, and best serves its clients in a context of honoring the unique needs with which each individual presents. I work with children, adolescents, and adults - in individual, conjoint, and family settings. I support a range of conditions including mood disorders, trauma, and intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts.

Life can be overwhelming at times. Balancing your needs and the needs of those around you can be challenging. Ever feel stuck? Wondering when things will get better? In today’s fast paced environment, it can be difficult to catch your breath and have a sense of peace that everything will work out. I invite you to take that first step. Let’s talk about it. If you are out there struggling and need a hand, you have found the right person who can help navigate your way. We all need encouragement and a non judgmental listening ear. Allow me to be that person for you.

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 there, I'm Abby Morse! As a licensed clinical social worker, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating through stressful life changes, addressing self-esteem concerns, and managing anxiety. With a dedicated focus on action and solution-oriented strategies, I approach therapy with empathy, compassion, and a non-judgmental stance. My primary objective is to meet you wherever you are on your therapeutic journey, forming a strong alliance to ensure that your unique needs, well-being, and individuality are at the forefront of our collaborative work.

Thirty-plus years of clinical practice provides me with the skills to help those wishing to make changes in their life.

Hi, I’m Jennifer Ray. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Southern California. I describe my approach to therapy as present, caring, and warm. I treat patients with depression, anxiety, stress, and grief. I am open to working with patients from all walks of life. I’m most comfortable working with patients who have been diagnosed with or have symptoms of Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety, and panic disorder. I am confident working with patients who are experiencing stress from work, relationships, caregiving, and parenting. I also work with grief and loss.