Book LGBT-friendly therapy, covered by insurance
LGBT therapists in Bakersfield, CA


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield's LGBTQIA+ community deserves mental health support from providers who truly get it. Headway offers warm, solution-oriented therapists experienced in supporting gender and sexual identity concerns. With 2,530 providers available and sessions starting as low as $0 with insurance, quality care is within reach.
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'm a LCSW providing telehealth out of Southern California. Growing up in Long Beach, I'm accustom to a variety of populations and personally have experience working in Addiction Medicine, with Child Welfare Services, and as an ally for my LGBTQ+ clients. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a real conversation — not a clinical transaction. I show up as a genuine, engaged partner in your process, not a blank slate behind a notepad. I'm in your corner, and I want you to feel that from the first session. My style blends warmth with honesty (think supportive but direct). Whatever you're carrying, you don't have to figure it out alone.
I'm a therapist offering in-person sessions in the Thousand Oaks area of Southern California, and telehealth to folks throughout California. I decided to become a therapist after many years of working in corporate America, and I have a Master's in Clinical Psychology and LMFT license.
Hi, I’m Angela Phillips, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Lotus Healing and Wellness. I help teens and adults navigate trauma, anxiety, identity exploration, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions through trauma-informed, inclusive, and affirming therapy, with a special commitment to supporting women and the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live as their truest, most authentic self. I also believe we all have the capacity to transform our lives, though sometimes we need support, guidance, and a safe space to begin that process. I know what it feels like to believe you have to hide parts of yourself or become someone else in order to be loved or accepted, and that understanding deeply shapes the way I show up as a therapist.
My goal is to help you reconnect with yourself, heal the patterns and survival strategies that no longer serve you, and create a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and emotionally fulfilling.
I'm Mike Godby, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 34 years of experience helping people build healthier, more authentic relationships, with themselves and with others. My work is rooted in the belief that self-understanding is the foundation of real, lasting change. Many of my clients come in navigating challenges with family, friends, partners, or work, and I bring a warm, curious, and non-judgmental presence to every session. My approach has also been shaped by more than 50 years of personal meditation practice, which infuses the way I listen and the gentle, spacious environment I create in our work together.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist in California with 27 years of experience helping individuals navigate life's challenges. I offer tele-health only sessions from the comfort of your home, making care accessible no matter where you are in California. I accept Anthem and Magellan insurance. My practice is intentionally small — I keep a limited caseload so every client receives my full attention and care. I am warm, experienced, and deeply committed to showing up for the people I work with.
I earned my master's degree in Social Work 29 years ago. Over the course of my career I have enjoyed working with girls and women of all ages. I enjoy supporting girls and women who are navigating middle school, high school, college, relationships, post-partum period, motherhood, divorce, menopause, and becoming empty nesters. I love seeing my clients begin therapy with stress, anxiety, OCD, depression, grief and loss, or trauma then graduate from therapy in a much better place. I believe that you can thrive no matter your age and no matter your circumstances. I have less experience helping transgender women but I really enjoy that work as well. I consider myself a LGBTQIA+ ally.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Bakersfield, CA



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 98%Anxiety
- 94%Depression
- 90%Stress management
- 87%Relationship issues

- 98%Aetna
- 79%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 75%Cigna
- 73%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 64%Blue Shield of California

- 97%English
- 15%Spanish
- 1%Farsi
- 1%Mandarin
- 1%Assamese

- 90%Online only
- 10%In-person or online

- 74%Woman
- 24%Man
- 3%Non-binary

- 46%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 29%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 9%Nurse Practitioner
- 8%Clinical Psychologist
- 7%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 40%Family therapy
- 28%Couples therapy
- 17%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right LGBTQ-friendly therapy provider for you
Headway makes it easier to connect with affirming therapists who understand your identity — from finding the right therapist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a LGBTQIA Therapist in Bakersfield, CA
Finding LGBTQIA+ therapists in Bakersfield starts with looking for identity-affirming care. A therapist’s training, specialties, and experience should match what you want support with, such as gender identity, sexual identity, relationship concerns, anxiety, depression, or family stress. Look for therapists who mention affirmative therapy, WPATH training, gender-diverse experience, or LGBTQIA+-affirming care in their profiles. The right fit goes beyond clinical skill — it also includes feeling respected in how your identity and goals are understood.
In a mid-sized city like Bakersfield, local LGBTQIA+-affirming therapists may be easier to compare when you include both in-person and virtual appointments in your search. Virtual care can expand your options if nearby office availability is limited or if your schedule works better outside a fixed commute. As you compare therapists, review whether they are accepting new patients, offer appointment times that fit your calendar, and provide a free phone consultation. Reading bios closely can help you see who explicitly works with LGBTQIA+ populations and how they describe their therapy style.
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. Headway helps you search for therapists who match your needs, review estimated out-of-pocket costs before booking, and choose between virtual and in-person care. You can browse therapist profiles, compare fit, and book directly when you’re ready.
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