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.

My ideal client is someone who is questioning and wondering what they are supposed to do at this time in their life. Do you feel like something is missing, that your life is not the way you want it to be? I can help you find your way into a whole new world. Every issue is fundamentally spiritual and will persist until you discover what is going on. Let's free you up from the restrictions in your thinking and behavior that erode your happiness.

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.

Seeking counsel outside your circle of family and friends is often a difficult decision to make. I feel therapy begins with a genuine connection between the therapist and client. Within this relationship I offer a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate environment in which clients find their inner strength, healing, and personal growth. My goal is to assist clients find skills needed to work through the difficulties that have prevented them from moving forward. Whether you are struggling with personal growth, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, or just need constructive feedback, therapy can be a life enriching experience.

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.

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.

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.

Hello! I’m Quinsea, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker focusing on you, the individual and all things that make us human. I enjoy indoor rock climbing, lifting weights and my mini wiener dog, Gizmo. I have an extensive background in working with clients affected by trauma including sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse as well as formerly incarcerated folks, LGBTQIA+ and homeless individuals. I also work directly with folks experiencing chronic stress, anxiety and depression along with other serious mental health diagnosis.

Accepting new patients! Therapy is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to gain a new life perspective, work through challenges, and foster desired change. My job is to unite with you to help clarify your needs and enhance your skills to better tackle life’s challenges. I utilize an integration of evidenced based practices and psychodynamic principles, with a strong emphasis on mindfulness and resilience. Whether a life adjustment or major crisis, the therapeutic process will enhance your ability to move towards greater self-awareness, acceptance and happiness.

I’m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in CA with over 15 years of hands-on mental health case management and clinical experience working with adolescents, young adults, family units, and parents struggling with mental illness, substance abuse recovery, self-harm, suicidality, parenting, unresolved trauma, and other behavioral and emotional issues pertaining to all areas of their lives. I work from an individualistic holistic approach, being sensitive and aware of cultural, and spiritual, aspects of life that can impact the daily functioning of each individual in a unique way.

I understand how difficult sharing life altering memories can be for people. Just ignoring unresolved issues will not make the pain any less. Addressing old hurt, anger, fears, and other emotions will assist in gaining a better sense of self. My goal is to help people with the thoughts that keep them up at night. We can’t change the past, but we can change how we process old grief and allow past trauma to impact our lives.

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.

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

Let the healing begin. Are you plagued with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, martial/relationship problems? Does it seem like your problems are never ending? If your answer is "yes" to any of the questions that were posed, the first step is calling me and together we can develop a plan to address your concerns.

In-person and virtual services available, I have a passion for helping others, and take pleasure in helping people learn to manage their circumstances and live a happy and healthy life. I use holistic healing strategies in therapy and addresses each client through the lens of mind, body, and spirit. I enjoy expanding the mind with new ideas and practices by being an active learner in this regard which allows me to continue bringing fresh perspectives and healing strategies into sessions. I am fascinated with the brain and body working in unison, which can lead to swift healing and rapid achievement of the therapy goals of her cli

Hi! My name is Rachel, and I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I have been practicing therapy since 2010 and am passionate about helping others. I help people with adolescent/teen issues, grief, self esteem, trauma and PTSD, job stress, and more. I have worked in inpatient and outpatient settings, including drug and alcohol rehabilitation, with adolescents in schools, and with domestic violence services. I practice Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and Solution-focused therapy. Using mindfulness and ACT skills, I explore the thoughts and beliefs that create stagnation.

Recovery is not for people who need it, it is for people who want it! I want to be along this journey with you! I will walk along side you each step of the way, encouraging you to be your best self. Children and teens are my passion, adults suffering from depression, anxiety, self-injurious behavior, and or trauma. I have extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Perspectives.