Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Walnut Creek, CA

My patients can expect me to be warm, empathetic, and genuinely interested in their story. I take time to understand not just current struggles, but also personal history and experiences that have shaped who they are. I believe that mental health is deeply connected to overall health, and treating psychiatric conditions can positively impact all areas of life. I work with all patients and conditions, and I always meet people where they are. If someone isn’t ready for medications, I fully support their choice and will be there to provide guidance, education, and care until the time feels right for them. Above all, I listen, I value each person’s perspective, and I aim to create a safe space where patients feel truly heard.

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and I’m passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and self-awareness. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, and challenges with self-esteem. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative, and I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself. I believe therapy is a place to feel heard, supported, and empowered to create meaningful change.

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.

I work with adults who want to better understand themselves, strengthen emotional resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change. My style is warm, collaborative, and empowering — I believe you are the expert on your own life.

As a graduate of the University of Southern California, my training emphasized both clinical excellence and authentic human connection. I integrate CBT and DBT-informed approaches to help clients develop practical skills for managing emotions, navigating relationships, setting healthy boundaries, and shifting unhelpful thought patterns.

I was drawn to this work because I’ve seen how powerful self-awareness and skill-building can be in transforming not only how we cope, but how we experience ourselves and our relationships. I understand that seeking therapy can feel vulnerable, and I strive to create a grounded, supportive space where you feel truly seen — while also gently challenged to grow in ways that build confidence, clarity, and lasting self-trust.

Through therapy, clients develop new skills, discover new insights, and strengthen their resilience for whatever life brings.

I am local to Tuolumne County, and I have been working in the field of Behavioral Health for over 25 years.

My experience started in a Special Education Classroom, and school-based services. I moved into rehabilitation support as Bachelors level paraprofessional.

I have worked in local county services from County Behavioral Health, The Court System, Domestic Violence Services, and Indian Health Services.

I provide psychotherapy to a diverse adult population experiencing generalized anxiety, panic symptoms, depression, stress, life transitions and adjustment difficulties, relationship concerns, and family challenges. I also have experience treating clients with perinatal mental health concerns, including postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and birth trauma.

As a bilingual therapist fluent in English and Japanese, I provide psychotherapy in both languages, offering culturally responsive care to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

I believe therapy should be a place where you don't have to keep holding everything together.

Many of the women I work with are thoughtful, capable, and deeply committed to the people they love. They're balancing careers, motherhood, relationships, and countless responsibilities, yet internally feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally exhausted.

I specialize in supporting overwhelmed working moms and high-achieving women navigating anxiety, postpartum mental health, fertility and IVF, burnout, and major life transitions. I also provide culturally responsive therapy for AAPI adults navigating family expectations, identity, and cultural stress.

I hope that you'll feel understood from the very beginning and know you don't have to carry everything on your own.

You might be here because you're navigating a major life transition — trying to get pregnant, adjusting to motherhood, or feeling burnt out from it all!

These seasons can feel overwhelming, isolating, and confusing, especially when you're used to being the one who has it all together.

I specialize in supporting women experiencing anxiety, burnout, life transitions, pregnancy and postpartum challenges, and the unique stressors that come with new motherhood. Whether you're feeling emotionally exhausted, struggling with identity changes, experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety, or feeling stuck during a life transition, therapy can help you regain clarity and confidence. As a new mom who also lives with anxiety- I get you and I see you! You are not alone and there is a way through!

My approach is warm, collaborative, and supportive. I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore what you're experiencing and reconnect with yourself. Together, we work to help you feel more grounded, confident, and aligned with the life you want to create.