Clinician Headshot

Karen Stark-Garrett, Ph.D.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #120212 Dr. Karen Stark-Garrett, LMFT
Specialties: Family Conflict, Marital and Premarital, Relationship Issues, Communication Issues, Attachment Issues,
Insurance: All Savers Insurance, Cigna, Optum, Oscar, Out of Pocket,

Introduction

WELCOME Hello! I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with a clinical interest in guiding individuals, couples, and families toward satisfying and healthy interactions and relationships. I'm also a lecturer in the psychology department at California State University, Bakersfield, and I earned a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Amridge University in 2023. MY BACKGROUND In my systems-based work with clients, I look for root causes of emotional reactivity and maladaptive behaviors that interfere with healthy functioning. Sometimes things out of our control happen to us, and our psyches become traumatized. Or relationships are full of tension and strife, and it just seems like it shouldn’t have to be that way. I will assist you in remembering how capable you are and help you discover new ways of communicating effectively so you may move toward the changes you seek. MY CLINICAL FOCUS I specialize in family therapy, but I also see individuals and couples. I have clinical experience in grief, crisis, and loss issues related to death, divorce, disrupted relationships, infertility, and adoption. Trauma history, attachment struggles, unresolved anger, spiritual concerns, autism, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are also a focus of my practice. In addition to my marriage and family therapist training, I graduated from seminary at Duke University in 1999 with a Master of Theological Studies degree. I understand that, especially amid tragedy, issues of theodicy (i.e., why a God who is "good" allows evil to exist) are natural barriers to healing. Any client wishing to explore such spiritual questions can do so safely and without fear of judgment in therapy with me. LOCATIONS AND AVAILABILITY I see clients in person at my office in downtown Bakersfield and through telehealth. Please note that my schedule is full, so I may not have immediate availability. I may have openings Monday-Thursday in the late afternoons and evenings and on some Fridays. Please call or text to inquire about an in-person or telehealth appointment. FEES AND INSURANCE For a list of fees, please scroll to the bottom of this page but note that I also offer a sliding scale (or "Pay What You Can" policy). My goal is to provide a service to families, couples, and individuals who need it, and while the reality of covering my expenses exists, I am willing to work with you if you cannot afford my full fee. I am credentialed with some insurance providers. If I am not on your plan, I can provide you with a superbill you can submit for possible reimbursement for out-of-network services if your insurance company covers therapy with a licensed marriage and family therapist. Please note that using insurance or a superbill requires that I assign clients a psychiatric diagnosis. I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU! I recognize that finding the right therapist is not easy. Picking up the phone to set up an appointment and then coming in to talk in person or meeting for telehealth online takes courage. I understand therapy as something sacred, and if we are a good fit, I welcome the opportunity to join you in your journey toward inner peace, healing, and growth.

GENDER Female
RACE & ETHNICITY White

Highlights

  • In-person & telehealth appointments
  • Accepts online payments and insurance

Licenses

  • LMFT #120212 (CA)

Specialties

Additional focus areas


Treatment Approaches


Population focus

Appointment types

  • Individuals
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Groups

Communities

  • Military/Veterans
  • People with Disabilities

Age groups

  • Young Adults (18-24)
  • Adults (24+)
  • Elders (65+)

Languages

  • English

Faiths

  • Christian
  • Catholic
  • Jewish
  • Interfaith
  • Multi-Faith
  • Latter-day Saints/Mormon
  • Jehovah's Witnesses
  • Atheist
  • Agnostic

Payment options

Pay with insurance

Karen Stark-Garrett, Ph.D. accepts these insurance providers. What you pay depends on your plan.
  • All Savers Insurance
  • Cigna
  • Optum
  • Oscar
  • Out of Pocket
  • United Healthcare

Pay out-of-pocket

  • Initial Assessment $175
  • Individual session (45-60-minutes) $125 - $150
  • Couples session (60-minutes) $150
  • Family session (60-minutes) $150

Locations

Dr. Karen Stark-Garrett LMFT
2212 F Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301-3828
Get Directions
Dr. Karen Stark-Garrett LMFT Video Office

Frequently asked questions

Is Karen Stark-Garrett, Ph.D. accepting new clients and do they offer online appointment requests? Karen Stark-Garrett, Ph.D. is not currently accepting new clients.
Does Karen Stark-Garrett, Ph.D. offer telehealth appointments? Karen Stark-Garrett, Ph.D. does offer telehealth appointments.
What areas does Karen Stark-Garrett, Ph.D. specialize in? Karen Stark-Garrett, Ph.D. specializes in the following areas: Abandonment, Adjustment Disorder, Adoption, Aging, Anxiety, Attachment Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Blended Families, College Mental Health, Communication Issues, Couples Counseling, Depression, Developmental Disorders, Divorce, Existential Crisis, Family Conflict, Grief, Infertility, Life Transitions, Marital and Premarital, Mood Disorders, Parenting, Relationship Issues, Spirituality and Religion, and Trauma.

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