Clinicians with Therapy Practices at Marriage and Family Center:

Michael H. Bean MS, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Michael has been practicing Marriage and Family Therapy since 1997. Since then he has helped literally hundreds of people, especially couples regain the peace, love, and joy they had all but given up finding. In addition to relationship issues, Michael has helped people with problems caused by depression, anxiety, anger, and other issues. Michael’s approach to therapy is best described as “action-oriented.” He quickly focuses on what is going wrong and starts recommending interventions as soon as possible. An award winning speaker, Michael has spoken, lectured, and presented to more than 200 audiences on dozens of subjects and is a regular contributor to Hot 94.1 FM Romeo in the Morning show.  As the founder of Marriage and Family Center, Michael is a principle contributor to the website. Read his blog article on What to Look for in a Therapist.

Jeffrey Cheney Ph.D, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

For 15 years Dr. Cheney has been working with individuals, couples and families helping them discover a better way to live and love. He fully believes you can experience healing in your relationships, learn to rebuild trust, increase intimacy, and communicate better. His therapeutic style is practical, client centered, and attachment-based—focusing on improving intimate relationships.

Dr. Cheney works extensively with couples in crisis and provides a safe, confidential and supportive therapeutic environment. His areas of expertise include emotionally focused couples therapy, parenting and play therapy, and psychological testing for children. He also has many years of experience working with loss and trauma.

Jennifer Dale MS, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) for over 15 years, Jennifer believes everyone has the innate ability to lead a fulfilling life. Working with individuals, couples and families, she sees therapy as a healing conversation that:

1. provides a safe, non-judgmental place to express and explore challenges;
2. helps people rediscover their talents, strengths and resources, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and regain creative power;
3. And creates a partnership enabling her clients to leave self-blame and judgment and find solutions consistent with their values, beliefs, and their own unique life path.

David Riess, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

David is a licensed therapist who has been providing therapy in Bakersfield for the past 9 years. His focus has always been on improving the lives and relationships of the clients he works with. He is empathetic, thoughtful, and direct. He is able to put his clients at ease while at the same time encouraging and motivating them to move toward the healthy relationship outcomes they envision for themselves. If you are a couple dealing with trust, communication, or desire issues or you simply want to deepen an already meaningful and intimate relationship, David can help. If you are an individual who has experienced a difficult break-up or you find yourself in unhealthy and unsatisfying relationships, David can help.

Relationships are hard. They require a lot of effort. Sometimes getting along with another person seems impossible.  It may not seem like it is worth the effort. My focus is on helping individuals and couples who are interested in having a more satisfying and rewarding relationship. My goal is for couples and individuals to feel that the emotional energy they are putting into their relationship is worth the effort.”

—David

Mark Waller Ph.D., LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Mark is the award-winning author of six books and numerous articles on a variety of subjects. His latest book is Awakening: Exposing the Voice of the Mosaic Mind.

When working with clients, Mark uses a highly interactive approach—involving clients in the process of their own change. In addition to running a private practice at the Marriage and Family Center, Mark is an accomplished writer, lecturer, and speaker.

No stranger to working through the pain of personal and relationship struggle, he has undergone personal awakenings himself, and his passion is helping his clients experience awakenings of their own.

You can learn a lot more about Mark and his practice at masteringthought.com.