Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Bakersfield, CA

I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can finally exhale. I strive to create an environment that is supportive, honest, and free of judgment; a place where you feel truly seen and emotionally safe. My approach is collaborative and practical. I don’t just help you understand why you feel the way you do; I help you build real tools to navigate it.

I earned my degree from Cal State Fullerton and have extensive experience working in addiction treatment, eating disorder recovery, and women’s issues. Supporting women is especially meaningful to me. I am deeply passionate about helping women navigate challenges related to self-worth, body image, relationships, boundaries, life transitions, and identity. I understand how trauma, societal expectations, and relational dynamics can shape how women see themselves, and I approach this work with both compassion and clarity.

Together, we focus on strengthening mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills in ways that feel realistic and sustainable. I blend insight-oriented exploration with concrete strategies, because meaningful change happens when insight meets action. My goal is to help you better understand your patterns, feel more confident managing your emotions, and move forward with greater clarity, self-trust, and resilience.

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.

I work with all ages and I'm trained in trauma based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR. I offer individual therapy using attachment based therapies, solution-focused brief therapy, and Gestalt self-compassion techniques. I'm not currently offering couples counseling except through private pay. I have worked with foster youth, caregivers, families, LGBTQ, and veterans. I have found my work to be professionally rewarding by assisting people in reaching their goals. I’m committed to meeting your needs and learning.

Life can get incredibly heavy but you don't have to carry the weight entirely on your own. My practice provides a judgment-free space focused on healing from deeply rooted trauma and managing overwhelming emotions by exploring intense periods of panic or sadness. We will work at your own pace, building practical, real-world tools to help you feel safe, grounded, and understood.

Whether you're single and searching, recovering from a recent split, or at the precipice of big change in your relationship, I am here to help you move through those valuable transitions. If you are struggling with racing thoughts or repeating the same scenario over and over - you're not alone and I'm here to navigate it with you.

I have always been fiercely passionate about helping others to amplify their strengths and manifest the lives they find most fulfilling. Nothing moves me more than to be a guide and a witness to human transformation. As we go through life's inevitable transitions, occasionally we encounter roadblocks or detours that can either stop us in our tracks or provide us with vital life lessons filled with wisdom and empowerment.

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.