Therapists in Kern County, CA

Establishing a trusting relationship and working collaboratively with our clients is our primary goal. My name is Samantha Markman and I have hand selected a team of excellent therapists with various specialties. We strive to create a therapeutic space of comfort and support, as we work with you to explore deep personal issues and experiment with new ways of thinking. We work with a wide range of clients that are dealing with various issues including depression, anxiety, infidelity, postpartum issues, addictive behaviors, LGBT issues, eating disorders, codependency, grief and loss, life transitions, and various types of trauma.

I’ve been a licensed clinical psychologist for over 20 years. I work with individuals, couples, and children, and supervise other clinicians. I’m a former faculty of USC and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. My treatment model has been recognized as a “Best Practices Model” by the California Institute of Mental Health. You can count on me for expert help.

Many individuals are struggling with day to day stressors whether it be specific or more generalized. From stressors related to school, work, family, friends, intimate relationships, alcohol and substance use, to managing depression and anxiety. I am able to help build therapeutic relationships to help guide and support you on your journey. I have experience in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), Exposure Therapy, and Trauma Focused Therapy.

Perhaps you desire more satisfying relationships. Or you long for an end to blue moods, constant worries, or food struggles. If so, I am here to help, both in person and on Zoom. Fortunately, your decision to seek counseling is a positive first step. In my practice, I teach individuals how to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety; guide couples toward more loving connections; help clients with eating challenges to accept themselves and manage harmful habits; and provide constructive feedback on career issues.

I specialize in working with high anxiety clients who wish to break people-pleasing patterns. I'm passionate about demystifying therapy and empowering clients to understand their underlying issues in order to transform from the root up. I aim to bridge the gap between sessions and help form a clear path for my clients' progress. My therapeutic approach is both nurturing and structured: I listen and offer support just as much as I offer appropriate challenges. If you are feeling eager to understand yourself, to see yourself fully, and to practice self-compassion while changing harmful behaviors/thoughts, we're likely a good fit.

I am a gay licensed therapist in California who believes that change is possible, incrementally. I also believe that what works for one person may not work for another. I particularly enjoy working with LGBTQ clients but also happily see straight clients and find joy in working with all populations and people from all backgrounds. I work well with clients who appreciate some give and take in session. And who are open and ready to work on connecting to a stronger version of themselves - however that looks for you.

In my private practice, I treat issues of anxiety and panic, past trauma, and sexual dysfunction. While our past can sometimes weigh down our present, my clients and I work together to address, process, and move through issues that might hold them back. Identifying emotions, connecting them to the body, and developing resources to endure the more difficult experiences of life is a primary focus of our collaborative work.

Are you looking for guidance?Are you feeling stuck?Well congratulations on taking this important first step of your empowering journey in happiness, clarity, and peace. You possess a unique ability to develop your inner strengths to help lead you to the peace of mind that you seek. I provide a safe and comfortable environment where you can successfully navigate your daily stressors, turn bad habits into good ones, and conquer your anxiety and fears to take control of your own happiness. My specialties include working with adults with trauma, adolescents, troubled children as well as teenagers, adults, couples, elderly, and families.

I am pleased that you have begun your journey of healing and wellness now. My name is Margarette and I am a psychodynamic therapist practicing via Telehealth. I obtained my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology From Phillips Graduate Institute, and my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles. I have worked with a varied and diverse population including infants, children, adolescents, adults and families.

I help people build healthy relationships, work through painful break-ups, improve their social interactions and reduce their anxiety. If you are looking for clarity on your situation, struggling in a difficult relationship, worrying a great deal about upsetting others, feeling confused or overwhelmed, I can help. Particularly, if you or someone in your life identifies with traits of Narcissistic or Borderline Personality Disorder, I can help you cope, whether it's you or your loved one suffering from these symptoms.

You have come here for a reason…maybe you’d like to make a change, receive encouragement, find your strengths or share your vulnerabilities; maybe you don’t know the reason. I can help you voice your thoughts and feelings, meeting you with curiosity and acceptance. I can accompany you in a transition or struggle so you can manage more peacefully. I can also offer direction, effective tools and solutions for specific problems such as addictive tendencies, harmful habits, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict and emotional dysregulation.

(Zoom Video sessions) My ideal client: A creative, motivated, and intelligent professional with an obsession, usually drugs/alcohol and/or sex. A higher percentage of creative people struggle with addiction, because they just don't know when to quit! Creatives frequently have low self-esteem, often despite proven success. Using cognitive (CBT) techniques and psychodynamic methods (how events from the past affect the present) I use a pragmatic, individualized approach. I include solution-focused and music/art therapy to help the client gain insight and put the insight to work to achieve realistic goals.

If you have arrived here, likely your habitual tools that once served you are no longer working. Or perhaps they never were, and you can no longer ignore this reality. You may feel lost, hopeless, helpless, or a combination of challenging emotions. I am here to tell you that you will not feel this way forever. Through an attachment-based, IFS, and trauma-informed lens, I will assist you in addressing the root causes of your suffering. No band-aids here; I believe the only way to live free of trauma, negative self-talk, poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety, or addiction is to face the origin story head-on.

Finding the right therapist is challenging and taking the first step can be really scary. While I believe the mind and body are built to heal themselves, sometimes recovery is hard to navigate on your own. I utilize a variety of treatment models including Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.) I specialize in eating disorders, grief, and loss, anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma-related issues. I primarily work with adolescents, couples, and adults. I'm a weight-inclusive, Health At Every Size, and an Intuitive Eating-aligned clinician.

My approach to therapy is helping people explore thoughts, feelings and behavioral patterns between themselves, & our surroundings. Counseling will often be a guided process of how I can help clients utilize their coping skills & strength based tools that people may learn to employ immediately. Sessions are structured around evidence based techniques. I have extensive experience working with lgbtq+ issues surrounding gender identity & sexual orientation. I also have a background working with individuals, couples & families of loved ones dealing with various life changes, including depression, grief, addiction, & mental illnesses.

My work as a marriage and family therapist, clinical art therapist and somatic psychotherapist is integrative, interactive, and holistic. Drawing from over 30 years of experience in private practice, residential and outpatient treatment, I offer pathways to healing and well-being within the context of a safe and supportive environment. In my work with individuals, couples and families, treatment specialties include the healing of communication and relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, family and personal illness, grief and loss.

I come from the heart. I'm here to help you feel safe and secure. I am here to go on a journey with you to find your true self, to lift depression, to work with anxiety, and transform this time of crisis into stronger relationships and more heart-felt productivity. As a gay, Jewish man, I have an ear for all people struggling with difference and oppression. I can go deep with you into healing old trauma. Or I can help you coach you with day-to-day career and relationship challenges. If you need a therapy to jump-start new growth in the New Year, I am here for you on that quest of both self-discovery and seeing more palpable results.

WE OFFER EVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS. My goal is to help you improve the quality of your life and make positive changes by reducing your Anxiety, Depression, eliminating stress, Addiction, and gaining back control. You will achieve a much higher quality of life in a safe, exclusive and caring environment. I will support you to discover your inner strength, and develop effective coping skills. You will experience freedom from emotional pain and feel empowered to achieve your goals and dreams. I provide CONCEIRGE care to executives and professionals.

I work with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues providing services that span from therapy for anxiety and eating concerns to parenting support, couples counseling and beyond. In a comfortable, collaborative and supportive atmosphere, I offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of my clients individual needs to help guide them towards a life aligned with their authentic self and fundamental core values.