Find a therapist in Bakersfield, CA — covered by insurance

Welcome, congratulations for taking the first step in your journey to a better you. I have experience in working with individuals who are struggling with a wide variety of problems such as depression, negative thoughts patterns, low self-esteem, anxiety, adjustment, grief, LGBTQIA and cultural issues.

I am committed to providing an empathetic safe space to support you in your journey.

I specialize with the symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD and high spectrum autism. My approach is to involve the individual persons' needs for developing better communication skills, coping skills, support systems, insights, and physical health. My office is set up for creative play and insightful communication games.

Welcome! I have been providing therapy since 2022. I have extensive experience working with foster youth, youth, and adults who have experienced trauma, and the effects of anxiety and depression. Sometimes life can be impossibly hard or painful, but it can get better- I've seen it happen.

My orientation is cognitive behavioral therapy influenced by philosophy. The foundation of therapy is acceptance, unconditional positive regard and emotional support. The therapist partners with the client to clarify their thoughts to provide new skills and insights which increase the client coping skills and resiliency He educates and teaches about psychiatric disorders as depression and anxiety and the skills to overcome tthm.

I’m Fatima Castillo, LCSW, and I also go by April. I earned my Master of Social Work from Brandman University now University of Massachusetts Global and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. My background in social work includes experience in child protective services, adult services, behavioral health case management, and school-based mental health. These roles have given me the opportunity to work with children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating a wide range of life circumstances and challenges. As a therapist, I have provided mental health services to adolescents and adults in a school-based setting and currently provide therapy to adolescents and adults through telehealth. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and self-esteem concerns.

My communication style is warm, down-to-earth, and conversational. I strive to create a relaxed, nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable being themselves, talking openly, and feeling genuinely heard and understood.

Growing up, I often witnessed conflict at home and learned to keep many of my feelings to myself. During a time when talking openly about emotions wasn’t always encouraged, I remember wishing I had someone who could help me understand and process what I was experiencing. That experience helped shape the kind of therapist I strive to be today—someone who provides the support, understanding, and encouragement clients may need while navigating difficult seasons in their lives.

I believe therapy should be a place where you don’t have to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. We can begin wherever you are.

As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I am passionate about providing compassionate, personalized care and building meaningful connections with the individuals I serve. I believe everyone deserves a provider who cares, hears, and truly listens. I believe seeking mental health care is a courageous and deeply personal decision, and you deserve a provider who genuinely listens. I strive to create a compassionate, inclusive, and judgment-free space where every person feels welcomed, respected, and valued. You are more than a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. My goal is to meet you where you are, understand what matters most to you, and provide a space where you feel safe being yourself.

I am a senior psychotherapist with more than 25 years of experience. Before becoming a therapist, I practiced law and accounting, experiences that gave me a broad understanding of the real-life challenges people face in their relationships, careers, and personal lives.

I bring this practical experience together with my psychological training to offer an integrated, thoughtful approach to therapy. I work to understand each client as a whole person—their history, relationships, current circumstances, strengths, and the challenges that brought them to therapy. My goal is to provide a supportive, experienced perspective while helping clients develop greater insight and make meaningful changes in their lives.

I create a safe space for you to describe how you see yourself in the world and to notice patterns that have persisted, and that may hamper you from achieving optimal relationships and completing your goals. I work with a range of ages, from young adults to seniors, and with a multicultural diverse population in California. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety and trauma related issues.