Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Escondido, CA covered by United Healthcare

Hello and welcome! I am a Marriage and Family Therapist (#119622) licensed in CA. I have training and experience in the following methods: CBT, Trauma Focused CBT, Solution-Focused, and Narrative Therapy. After a thorough assessment, I typically like to collaborate with clients on the method that works best considering the symptoms. We can then tailor our sessions to fit your specific needs!

My goal with therapy is to provide a safe and open space to process and prioritize a growth mindset. I tailor my therapeutic approach to best match the needs of the client and truly believe in promoting acceptance. Some modalities I have experience with and may incorporate into therapy are Acceptance Compassion Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, Client-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Here-and-now Counseling, Trauma-Informed, and Holistic. I have a passion for working with individuals who are looking to unpack complex emotions and experiences that have shaped their understanding of the world.

Is your cup feeling empty?

I'm Shahna Duerksen, M.A., LMFT, a California-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing therapy exclusively to women 18+ through California telehealth and in-person sessions in Fresno.

I work with women who spend much of their lives pouring into others and may eventually feel overwhelmed, anxious, burned out, disconnected, or unsure of who they are beyond their responsibilities. Sometimes everyone else is receiving our time, energy, and care while our own cups are running low.

I especially enjoy helping women navigate adult ADHD symptoms, anxiety, depression, people-pleasing, boundaries, relationship distress, betrayal trauma related to infidelity or problematic sexual behaviors in a partner, identity and life transitions, and family or cultural expectations.

I also support therapists and mental health professionals—from those in training to experienced clinicians—who are navigating burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, professional boundaries, self-care, and the emotional demands of caring for others.

Another meaningful part of my work is supporting women navigating life between cultures, including South Asian and Indian women balancing their own needs and identity with family, cultural, spiritual, or relational expectations. Finding room for yourself doesn't have to mean abandoning the people or values that matter to you.

I earned my M.A. in Intercultural Studies and M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fresno Pacific University. My education and professional experience inform my interest in culturally responsive care and the ways culture, family, relationships, and life experiences shape how we understand ourselves.

And yes—funny, polite sarcasm and humor are fluently spoken. I also speak very basic conversational Hindi.

Johnny Zhong is a compassionate, client-centered therapist specializing in trauma, EMDR, and certified in psychosomatic therapy. He focuses on anxiety, depression, and body image issues, working with children, teenagers, and some adults. His approach is tailored to each client’s unique needs. In addition to his clinical work, Johnny is also training to become a music therapist, expanding his therapeutic repertoire by integrating music into his treatment methods.

Hi, great to have you here! I know it can feel overwhelming to seek out therapy and find a good fit, and hope we might take that next step together! Many clients have described my personality as warm, not clinical, and intuitive to their emotions.

While I have worked for years with diverse clients, I specialize and work with people-pleasing women who want to increase their confidence, Christians who want to integrate faith + mental health, and individuals who feel the weight of their past impacting who they are today.