Therapists in Kern County, CA

Hello, My name is Dr. Alicea-Samaniego. I have been a California Licensed Psychologist since 2003. In my years as a Psychologist, I have had a private practice, served as adjunct instructor in a Masters program and was the Chief Psychologist at a corrections facility in California. I work with a variety of clients that present with different issues. My focus has been to provide services to the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, Spanish speaking individuals and women's issues.

Central Valley Family Therapy is a group practice whose sole focus is providing individuals, couples and families support through all walks of life. Our clinicians recognize the importance of quality treatment for each and every client that walks through our doors. We welcome clients with culturally diverse identities, backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, and experiences. We believe that every person who seeks support should have access to quality mental health services. Our focus is not only on your unique therapeutic goals, but in providing our clients with a warm, friendly and nurturing environment.

We all have moments of feeling isolated and “stuck.” This can stem from the difference between what your life looks like now and how you would like it to be. The stress of this disconnection can seep into all aspects of your world: socially withdrawing or getting into more arguments can lead to depression and relationship conflict. You might feel like what you do is never “good enough,” increasing anxiety. You might hide your stress by focusing on what you can control, particularly after traumatic events. Therapy can help bring back joy and spontaneity into your life, helping you feel more fulfilled and energized.

Hi there, my name is Gabriel Ruiz. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California. I completed both my bachelor's in psychology and my Master of Social Work (MSW) at California State University, Bakersfield. I am currently working on obtaining my Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts. Our time together isn’t necessarily to rid ourselves of “bad” feelings but to gain the ability to experience a wider range of emotions. I work with children, adolescents, and adults who have various mental health needs. My approach to therapy is focused on creating a safe, brave, and affirming space.

My ideal client seeks self-exploration & understanding, facing issues like anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties. They need a supportive space for personal growth, aiming to gain insight, develop coping strategies, improve communication, & foster healthy relationships. They aspire to enhance mental well-being, achieve a better life quality, & unlock their full potential.

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.

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.

I help clients find their freedom. I believe that there is hope in every situation and I am skilled in working with client's who have a hard time believing that they can overcome. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, communication, and relationships. As a Christian therapist I believe in a holistic approach to treatment and focus on the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of a client.

Navigating through life can at times be challenging. Life stressors may bring forth a myriad of emotions that can be overwhelming and debilitating. Past hurts may intrude and impinge on your way of adapting and succeeding in life. Through psychotherapy, I aim to provide you with a safe space that would allow for a deeper understanding of the challenges you encounter and its impact on the areas of your work, school, and relationships. The safe space that we would work together to create will  make way for collaborative reflections and discoveries through self observations, self attunement, and self awareness.  

Therapy is a safe space that can bring about self-discovery and healing. I take an inclusive approach in my work, where I understand how intersections of culture, sexuality, gender, spirituality, family, environment, and relationships shape our identity and how we experience the world. In therapy, you have a space to let your guard down and explore how various factors at play affect your mental health. You will learn skills necessary to embrace the full range of your thoughts and emotions, and also incorporate changes that align with your values.

The ideal client is one who is ready for change and open to healing. I work with individuals with a variety of mental health issues, emergent spirituality concerns or finding oneself through life purpose utilizing Mindfulness-based practices, energy work among other techniques to help decrease stress and promote happiness.

<I have Saturday and evening appointments available> My name is Lourdes T. Cortez and have experience assisting adults, children, teenagers, and their families improving their lives. I firmly believe in every person’s inner strength and resiliency in overcoming any obstacles or challenging situations in their lives. I am fluent in Spanish and as an immigrant I can relate to the Hispanic cultural values and spiritual beliefs as well as other cultural diverse groups. I am skilled in working with Adolescents, Adults, Children, Young Adults Transitioning into Adulthood, ADHD, Anxiety/Depressive Disorders, Domestic Violence and Trauma.

Emotional pain can be overwhelming at times...even crippling. It can isolate you, making you feel different from everyone you know. Perhaps you have recently experienced a life altering encounter. Maybe vestiges of the past, keep showing up and are attempting to choke out your present life. Or maybe you just need to talk so you can "figure things out" or make sense of it all. Sound familiar? If so, I am here for you. Life hurts and I want to help you heal. You don't have to carry this all by yourself.

My name is Mashallah "Marsha" Shakur. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, based in in Southern California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults of all ages, with a particular focus on seniors and younger adults. I specialize in anxiety, depression and grief and loss, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy to address the concerns presented by my clients and assist them in progressing towards their goals.

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.

Hey there! I am Natashia Gridiron, Ph.D., LMFT, also known as Dr. G! I have over 16 years of clinical experience helping individuals, couples, and families feel empowered to better handle the tests and trials that come with life. I describe my therapeutic style as flexible and relatable. I connect with individuals on a human level to create a safe environment for them to share their stories, feelings, and thoughts. I want the people I work with to feel secure in changing the maladaptive behaviors that keep them feeling stuck. I am excited to join you on your journey in understanding you as you become the best version of yourself!

Processing and healing from traumatic events, grief, and life transitions are some of my specialties. I also have experience working with clients who are experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, etc. I have enjoyed working with children and young adults for the past 10 years.

I am an empathetic therapist with a passion to create a space where clients can be heard and seen. I have experience in leading clients to self-empowerment and awareness to overcome challenges in their life. I also assist clients in developing skills in bettering their life and managing their symptoms of anxiety and depression. Through clinical, life experience, and compassion I value working to assist those willing to make a positive difference in their lives.

My name is Kelisha LaGrone and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in both CA and TX. My approach to therapy includes meeting my clients where they are at and co- creating and collaborating with my clients to tailor a treatment plan that meets their individual and very unique needs. My focus area includes, anxiety, depression, life transitions, identity integration and consolidation, family or relationship conflict, and trauma.