

Connect with empowering, solution-oriented providers in Bakersfield neighborhoods including Downtown, East Bakersfield, and Southwest Bakersfield. Headway offers flexible scheduling with availability as soon as next day, free intake consultations, and 933 licensed providers accepting most major insurance plans.
Hi, I’m a psychiatric nurse practitioner who believes everyone deserves to feel heard, supported, and treated with kindness. I create a warm, welcoming, and judgment-free space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, mood changes, and other mental health concerns. Along with medication management, I also use supportive therapy techniques, including CBT and motivational interviewing, to help clients build healthy coping skills and feel more confident in their daily lives.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years in practice, in various settings, including outpatient, emergency department, and urgent care.
I want to be your partner in your wellness journey.
I am board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing telehealth services throughout California. I believe mental health care should feel supportive, respectful, and tailored to your unique needs.
IMPORTANT: For current availability, visit https://mentalhealthpractitioners.com/ or call or text us anytime at 415-968-6515—we make it super easy! Intake forms are required before your first appointment and will be emailed to you when you book online. You can text us your info or email us at [email protected]. Please be sure to send us a picture of your insurance information and photo ID!
I'm Christina Stelly, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC — a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner based in Martinez, CA. With over 15 years of clinical experience across inpatient psychiatry, maternal health, and advanced practice, I am deeply committed to delivering compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to every person I serve.
I specialize in treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and etc.
My academic background includes a Post-Certificate DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Doctorate of Nurse Practice from Texas Tech University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Touro University. I also completed an intensive NP residency focused on advanced psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, and forensic psychiatry, which further strengthened my clinical expertise.
Earlier in my career, I specialized in maternal mental health, serving as a Patient Care Director for high-risk obstetric populations and contributing to perinatal mental health policy at the state and national levels. This background gives me a uniquely broad, whole-person perspective on psychiatric care across the lifespan.
My approach is grounded in trauma-informed, individualized care. I take time to fully understand your history, concerns, and goals before collaboratively building a treatment plan tailored to you. I have also served on health policy committees and presented at national nursing conferences, reflecting my commitment to psychiatric care.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-C) providing compassionate, evidence-based care through telehealth. My background includes experience in emergency care and mental health treatment. I work with adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related conditions, and mood disorders. I take a collaborative and supportive approach and work closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans focused on improving emotional well-being.
I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience working in mental health, with a primary focus on women’s mental health. I support women navigating depression, anxiety, burnout, and life transitions, especially those who appear high-functioning on the outside but feel overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted internally.
I believe deeply in the power of words and how they shape our mental and emotional well-being. My work is rooted in speaking life, clarity, and hope into spaces where patients may feel discouraged or stuck. I work with all adults who are seeking thoughtful, intentional, holistic care.
I'm Saby Kirpal, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health care. I hold Master's degrees from Chamberlain University and Walden University, graduating with Presidential Honors, reflecting my commitment to clinical excellence. My diverse professional background spans inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, and outpatient clinics, giving me insight into mental health treatment at every level of care. I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders across age groups. My experience includes working with children as young as eight through adults in crisis stabilization, residential treatment, and ongoing medication management.
What makes my practice unique is the integration of my nursing background with psychiatric expertise. I understand how physical health, medications, lifestyle factors, and mental health interconnect. Being trilingual in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, with conversational Spanish, allows me to serve diverse communities and appreciate how culture shapes mental health experiences.
I've worked from UCSF Health to community clinics, teaching me that excellent care isn't about the setting—it's about the relationship. Whether you're seeking help for the first time, between providers, or managing ongoing conditions, I'm here to partner with you. My approach centers on listening first, explaining clearly, and making decisions together. Mental health treatment should never feel like something done to you, but rather something we navigate together. I'm committed to creating a space where you feel respected, understood, and genuinely supported.
I’m here to make this journey feel gentle, welcoming, and human. I keep things clear and simple so you can focus on what matters, not the overwhelm. My style is warm, encouraging, and a little poetic—because softness helps us breathe. Let’s take this step together, one calm moment at a time.


Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Finding the right psychiatrist in Bakersfield starts with understanding what kind of care you need. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and in some cases provide therapy. Psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can also evaluate, diagnose, and manage medication. If you're looking for help with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or medication management, either provider type may be a good fit.
Bakersfield and the surrounding Kern County area have fewer in-person psychiatric providers than larger California metros, which can make the search feel limited. Virtual sessions expand your options significantly — you can connect with a licensed provider anywhere in California from your home in Downtown, Southwest Bakersfield, or beyond. When evaluating providers, reading their bio can help you understand their clinical approach and areas of focus before you commit.
Psychiatry sessions can be expensive without insurance coverage. Using your in-network benefits is one of the most reliable ways to reduce what you pay. On Headway, you can enter your insurance details to see estimated session costs upfront, and your out-of-pocket expense may be as low as $0 per visit. Nationally, Headway partners with over 100 insurance plans, making it easier to find a psychiatrist who fits both your clinical needs and your budget.
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