Find a psychiatrist in Bakersfield, CA — covered by insurance
Top psychiatrists in Bakersfield, CA accepting new patients
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.
My role is to work alongside you to understand your experiences and develop a treatment plan that truly fits your life
My name is Dianne Fontaine, MSN, APRN, and I'm a Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). I obtained my Master’s Degree from Walden University and has undergone advanced clinical training, equipping me to assess, diagnose, and treat a spectrum of psychiatric illnesses, as well as provide psychotherapy.
I believe that meaningful mental health care starts with trust, compassion, and genuine connection. Over the past 15 years, I have worked across a variety of healthcare settings, including trauma nursing, emergency nursing, and nurse leadership roles, caring for individuals and families during some of life's most challenging moments. These experiences have reinforced my belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, empathy, and respect.
My commitment to mental health care is also shaped by personal experience. Like many people, I have witnessed the impact of mental health challenges in my own life and among loved ones, which has deepened my understanding of the courage it takes to seek help. I strive to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where clients feel comfortable discussing difficult thoughts, emotions, and life experiences.
Richard Perez is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. For over 15 years, he has dedicated his career to serving the healthcare needs of Long Beach and Los Angeles County. Richard wants to continue improving the lives of each patient by providing professional, compassionate, and person-centered care.
Richard has spent the last two years providing mental health care to underserved populations. This experience has significantly sharpened his clinical skills, which he now aims to bring to the general patient population.
I’m a doctoral-prepared, board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works with clients across the lifespan. I earned my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Arizona and have experience caring for individuals in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and higher-acuity mental health settings. My background includes treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related concerns, OCD, mood disorders, and substance use. I take a thoughtful, practical, and individualized approach to care, with the goal of helping clients feel understood, safe, supported, and comfortable being honest when feeling emotionally vulnerable.
Mental health and physical health impact each other profoundly. I have a keen understanding of that with years of experience as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Family Nurse Practitioner at the same time. I specialize in depressive, mood, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. I am fascinated with integrative medicine and oriental philosophy and their utility in current evidence-based psychotherapy.
Frequently asked questions
Find the right psychiatrist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in Bakersfield
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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