Family therapy and counseling in Bakersfield, CA

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I graduated from Alliant International University and have 12 years of experience in treatment settings ranging from residential care to routine outpatient care, treating self-harm, addiction, PTSD, anxiety, depression, relation and family conflict, life adjustments and more.

Jamila Banks is a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with over 16 years of experience working in the mental health field. She graduated from the University of Southern California(USC), with a BA in Political Science and Psychology and received her master's in psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, from the University of LaVerne, in 2011. Jamila initially began working in the mental health field in an Addiction & Treatment crisis center in 2010, working with adults battling various addictions and mental health disorders. From there, she has worked in a variety of settings, including group homes, mental health hospitals, and inpatient/outpatient centers, providing therapy in both individual and group services. Concurrently in 2010, as a case manager for a California regional center, she worked closely with both children and adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities such as Autism and mental health disorders such as Anxiety. She has experience working with a multidisciplinary team of parents, teachers, social workers, and other practitioners in developing a collaborative plan of care. Jamila is a wife, and mother of 4, and lives her life in service through multiple vehicles of community advocacy, impact, and philanthropy. Outside of her community work, Jamila enjoys traveling, learning, making memories, exercising (gym, yoga, hiking) reading, meditating, crystal healing work, trying out new foods, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Your goals are most important to me, but I do recommend goals when needed. I accept you just as you are. I will work together with you to achieve an improved quality of life. I have over 30 years experience working in mental health counseling, and 10 1/2 years as a licensed provider. In that time, I have learned to use a variety of modalities. I tailor the type of therapy to my client and to his/her needs, so I might introduce more than one type during our work together. The issues I work with most include depression, anxiety, and trauma, I am also certified in addiction recovery, and neurodivergent issues.

I enjoy working with individuals in the recovery community, first responders, and those who have experienced traumatic childhoods. I don't just talk the talk, I walk the walk.

I have a masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have been in practice for over 10 years. During my time in practice, I have served various age groups, populations, and diagnoses. I try to meet clients and families where they are at to help clients achieve their desired goals.

I completed my undergraduate work at UCSB and later earned my master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. The early part of my career was in corporate management roles. My experience in the business sector provides me with special insight into the particular demands of balancing work, life, and family roles.

I have been in private practice since 2006 in TX and 2025 in CA.

I believe that meaningful healing happens through connection. My goal is to create a compassionate, respectful, and supportive space where you can feel comfortable being yourself and exploring the experiences that have shaped you. I work with children, adolescents, and adults and recognize that every person brings unique strengths, values, relationships, and life experiences to therapy. I will meet you where you are and support you as you work toward greater understanding, healing, and growth. For clients who desire it, Christian faith and spirituality can also be incorporated into our work in a way that honors your individual beliefs and comfort level.

I’m a licensed therapist trained in somatic psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. I work with individuals, couples, and men, supporting clients with anxiety (including social anxiety), depression, ADHD, relationship challenges, trauma, and life transitions. I also help people navigating loneliness, work-related stress, and cultural or identity-related experiences, including multiracial relationships. My goal is to help people better understand themselves, their patterns, and how they relate to others. I tend to be warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative, while also being direct when it’s helpful.