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Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Bakersfield, CA
Top addiction and substance use disorder therapists and psychiatrists in Bakersfield, CA
Headway connects Bakersfield individuals with addiction specialists trained in 12-step facilitation, SMART Recovery, and community reinforcement approaches. Access virtual or in-person therapy with providers experienced in managing cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and building sustainable sobriety.
Hi I'm Eleanor! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and New Mexico. I am passionate about empowering people to build self-trust and self-acceptance. Most of my clients come to therapy because they want to make a change or cope with a change that they did not choose.
My goal is to create a space where you feel seen, understood, and supported. I believe mental wellness is an essential part of overall health, and that healing begins by moving from survival to thriving through nervous system regulation, processing past experiences, and strengthening the mind-body connection. Meaningful change and healing happens within a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, authenticity, and collaboration. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, performance anxiety, work-related stress... or simply feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, we'll work together to build insight, process difficult experiences when appropriate, develop practical coping skills, and create meaningful, lasting change.
I'm not here to just listen while you talk — I'm here to work with you. I show up warm, engaged, and genuinely invested in your growth. I'll ask thoughtful questions, offer honest feedback, and, when the moment feels right, gently challenge the beliefs or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. You'll always feel heard and respected here, never judged.
Hello and welcome! My name is Shannon Merritt and I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT). I am based in Southern California and offer telehealth services to clients across the state. My expertise includes supporting individuals through life transitions, managing depression and anxiety, coping with loss, and addressing various mental health challenges. I am also passionate about helping people recover from addiction and/or trauma.
What is your approach to therapy?I draw from various modalities and tailor my approach to each individual and their specific needs. I aim to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel at ease, can build resilience, and ultimately thrive. My communication style is straightforward, calm, and approachable. I offer clear and honest feedback in order to foster clients' wellbeing while developing hope for their future.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. Clients can expect to develop valuable insight and gain the tools needed to make meaningful changes in their lives.
I am a seasoned behavioral health and forensic psychology leader with over 20 years of experience in county, correctional, and community settings. I hold a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, two master’s degrees, and I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist as of 2019. My work centers on trauma‐informed care, substance use, sexual abuse victims and offenders, crisis intervention, and forensic experiences.
As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I am dedicated to helping people feel like themselves again. I provide compassionate, evidence based care for anxiety and depression, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions.My goal is to create a judgement free space where patients feel heard and receive personalized treatment that fits their lives
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) degree from the University of Massachusetts Global. I have experience working with adolescents and adults in multiple settings facing various complex mental health issues, including OCD, depression, anxiety, ADHD and mood disorders.
About our therapists who can help with addiction and substance use in Bakersfield, CA
- 100%Substance use / addiction
- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 89%Stress management
- 85%Trauma
- 98%Aetna
- 84%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 82%Cigna
- 78%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 66%Blue Shield of California
- 97%English
- 12%Spanish
- 2%Farsi
- 1%Mandarin
- 1%Igbo
- 88%Online only
- 12%In-person or online
- 69%Woman
- 30%Man
- 1%Non-binary
- 42%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 27%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 15%Nurse Practitioner
- 8%Clinical Psychologist
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 99%Individual therapy
- 43%Family therapy
- 30%Couples therapy
- 17%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions
Find the right addiction counselor for you
Headway makes it easier to find support for overcoming addiction — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Addiction Therapist in Bakersfield
Finding addiction therapists in Bakersfield starts with knowing what kind of support fits your needs. Addiction care can include support for alcohol use, drug use, prescription substance concerns, gambling, and other behavioral patterns. Some therapists focus on motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use, harm reduction, relapse prevention, or coordination with medication-assisted care when a prescriber is part of your care team. As you compare therapists, look for listed specialties, training, and experience that match the concerns you want to address.
Bakersfield has local therapists available, and virtual care can add more options when location, transportation, or scheduling matters. Some people prefer meeting in person at an office, while others choose virtual sessions for more flexibility. Recovery can involve progress, setbacks, and changing needs, so it helps to find a therapist whose profile reflects a respectful, non-judgmental approach. Before booking, review therapist bios for details on their approach, appointment availability, whether they are accepting new patients, and whether they offer a free phone consultation.
Therapy in Bakersfield can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before care begins. Headway helps you search for addiction therapists in Bakersfield who are accepting new patients, compare virtual and in-person options, and see estimated out-of-pocket costs after entering your insurance details. From there, you can browse therapist profiles, review fit, and book directly when you’re ready.
If you or someone you know is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms — especially from alcohol or benzodiazepines — talk to a medical provider or seek emergency care before starting outpatient therapy. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or substance use and is in a crisis, immediately reach out to:
* 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 * SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357), free, confidential, 24/7 * Crisis Text Line — text HOME to 741741
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