Marriage counseling that Heals in Bakersfield, CA. Restore Your Relationship.

Related Sites:
City of Bakersfield
California Coalition for Counselor Licensure

Therapy Bakersfield California

Counseling Oildale, Greenacres, Rosedale, Fruitvale, Greenfield, Fuller Acres, Pumpkin Center, Lamont

Sports and recreation activities abound in Bakersfield.  The area is popular with off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts.  Future plans include an OHV park and several programs school OHV users in safety and proper usage.  Other outdoor pursuits include rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing and whitewater rafting.¹ Plenty of youth sports are played here and include baseball, soccer, tennis, horseshoes and volleyball.  The Kern County Soccer Park is the largest soccer facility in California.  One extremely popular site is the McMurtrey Aquatic Center.  Combined with the Ice Sport Center, the complex offers year round recreation.  The aquatic center features an Olympic-sized pool, water slides, water volleyball courts as well as numerous other options.  Golf courses, public and private, are plentiful and have hosted stops on the Nike Tour and Ben Hogan Tour.  Two NASCAR drivers, Kevin Harvick and Casey Mears, were born in the city.  

Marriage and Couples Mental Health in Bakersfield

In the past, Kern County and the city of Bakersfield have experienced lower than average rates of domestic violence. Yet the number of children in foster care or other protective services far outpaces the California average.² Poverty and drug use are likely contributing factors to the large number of children under the state's care. Over 19 percent of Bakersfield residents live below the poverty line. With 34 percent of county residents over the age of 18 involved in regular binge drinking,³ many problems for families in the area arise.

The A. Miriam Jamison Children's Center was established in Kern County to address the rising needs of neglected children. The center provides 24-hour emergency services, including shelter, medical attention, counseling, education, and other wellness and welfare programs. Although the center is supported by county funds, the overwhelming need for its services necessitates a large volunteer base. With government revenue decreasing and the number of child abuse cases on the rise, volunteer support has never been more critical. To volunteer time, donate goods, or inquire about serving as a foster parent, please call the center at 661-334-3500.⁴

Family Services and Assistance Programs

Pathway Family Services is one of many private agencies that work hand-in-hand with the California state government to offer mental health services to families in need. Specifically, the organization works to help at-risk children. Educational programs for children and their parents aim to provide the necessary skills in order to develop a positive, caring, and supportive relationship. For children who need to be removed from their home, foster care is provided. Call 661-325-2570 for more information about Pathway Family Services.⁵

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References

1. Kern County Board of Trade. (2017). Outdoor Recreation. Retrieved from http://www.visitkern.com/outdoor-recreation/
2. California Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. (2004). Community Indicators of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Risk. Retrieved from http://www.ca-cpi.org/docs/County_Data_Files/Kern_04.pdf
3. Center for Applied Research Solutions. (2010). Indicators of Alcohol and Other Drug Risk and Consequences for California Counties. Retrieved from http://www.ca-cpi.org/docs/County_Data_Files/Kern_10.pdf
4. Kern County Department of Human Services. (2017). A. Miriam Jamison Children's Center. Retrieved from http://www.co.kern.ca.us/dhs/childwelfareservices/jamison_center.html
5. Pathway Family Services. (2017). Home - Pathway Family Services. Retrieved from http://www.pathwayfamilyservices.org/index.html

Bakersfield is located in Kern County, California. It has a land area of 148.79 square miles and a water area of 1.47 square miles.  The population of Bakersfield is 373,640 people with 112,439 households and a median annual income of $57,095. .

Therapy Affordability Meter for Bakersfield, CA

Affordable with Planning

Therapy in Bakersfield is generally within financial reach for the average family, but some budget planning may be needed for a real commitment to weekly counseling. Remember that your mental health and happiness are important. Check with your Bakersfield therapist about insurance coverage or ask about sliding scale fees if there are any difficulties with accessibility. Low cost counseling and affordable therapy are also sometimes offered by listed city and university level clinics, check with your local Bakersfield public health department.