Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Temecula, CA

Hello and nice to meet you!! A little about me is that I graduated from UC Berkeley and USC and have worked for many years serving clients across the mental health spectrum. Whether with clients in private health care settings or through my role at UCSF in the Psych E.R. services, I like to take a mindful, holistic, and trauma-informed approach and uses various tools to create a unique, adaptive path when working with a Client.

I have experience working with children, youth, adults, families, couples but in the last few years, I have shifted my main focus to work with adults who are struggling with anxiety, trauma and depression. I’ve worked in the mental health field for 22 years and been practicing as a therapist for about 10 years. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I believe that prioritizing mental health is key to happiness and stability in life. Seeking help can be difficult, so congratulations on taking your first step to start therapy.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who brings warmth, curiosity, and genuine engagement into our virtual sessions. My own path has given me a deep respect for the courage it takes to understand yourself and make meaningful changes. My education and professional experience have prepared me to work with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, loneliness, life transitions, and self-worth. I especially enjoy working with thoughtful, self-aware adults who want to understand themselves more deeply and create lasting change.

I believe in going beyond the belief that all we can do is manage trauma and symptoms forever. I believe our mind, body, and spirit already has the power to overcome it, we just have to learn how to tap into it and put it to use

I'm a psychologist helping clients to navigate transition and overcome destructive patterns. I have expertise in treating anxiety, ocd, adhd, trauma, depression, addiction, recovery, and relationship challenges. I've had a private practice for over 10 years and work with adult clients at all stages of life. I earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies, with intensive training at the Portia Bell Hume Center, Kaiser, UCSF, VA and the Jung Institute.

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.

As a licensed therapist with both an MSW and a PhD in clinical practice and research, I bring a depth of academic knowledge and real-world experience to my work with individuals and couples. My approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.

I specialize in helping people navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional resilience, and self-exploration. Whether you're seeking personal growth or looking to strengthen your connection with a partner, my goal is to create a safe, affirming space where meaningful insight and change can emerge.

Are you or your child struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or a life change and wishing to feel heard? I support children, adolescents, adults, and families, with a focus on anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. In English and Spanish, I help clients work through emotional overwhelm, family stress, ADHD, addiction, anger, and difficult experiences.

Whether you are seeking support for yourself, your child, or your family, I will listen without judgment and work alongside you. Together, we can understand what feels difficult, build on your strengths, and move toward meaningful change.