Hi, I’m Jay
Born and raised in Bakersfield, this community is home and serving it has truly been my heart’s work.
I’ve been working in the mental health field since 2017, and if there’s one thing I know well, it’s crisis. Crisis work has been my bread and butter from psychiatric hospitals to County mental health services, mobile crisis response, and inpatient settings. I’ve supported individuals and families through some of their most overwhelming, vulnerable moments, and I don’t shy away when things feel heavy or uncertain.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cal State Bakersfield, then spent several years working hands-on in the field before realizing I wanted to deepen my impact. That decision brought me back to CSUB to earned my Master’s in Social Work. CSUB helped shape not only my clinical skills, but my commitment to culturally responsive, community centered care.
In my work, I use a trauma-informed, collaborative approach and draw from evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, crisis intervention, emotion regulation skills, and behavioral activation. I’m especially comfortable supporting clients navigating acute stress, mood disorders, life transitions, postpartum challenges, trauma, and moments when life feels unmanageable.
I’m also fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and I deeply value providing care that feels culturally attuned, respectful, and accessible.
Above all, I believe therapy doesn’t have to feel cold or intimidating. You can expect a space that is real, supportive, and judgment free where we can sit with the hard stuff and work toward meaningful change at your pace.
This is my community, and it’s an honor to walk alongside the people in it.
