Throughout her graduate education, Dr. Bakman received clinical training at a variety of sites, including a community mental health clinic, a medical hospital, and multiple correctional facilities. She completed a one-year APA-accredited internship at Springfield Hospital Center, where she specialized in treating serious mental illness, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Gold Standard Forensics, specializing in forensic evaluations. She has also worked at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in early intervention services for individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis, which informs her expertise in treating and evaluating complex psychiatric conditions.

In addition to providing psychotherapy in private practice, Dr. Bakman conducts forensic psychological assessments in criminal matters. She serves as a Panel Psychologist on the Los Angeles County Superior Court Panel of Approved Psychologists, where she completes court-ordered evaluations addressing questions such as competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, mental health diversion, sexual offense risk, and sentencing mitigation. She also prepares comprehensive written reports and provides expert testimony and consultation in connection with her forensic practice.

Dr. Bakman maintains an active research presence and has published articles on topics related to clinical and forensic practice.