Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Walnut Creek, CA

Chenda Dyck is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She's in the final stretch of her PhD in Marital and Family Therapy, and she finished her master's at Fresno State back in 2016.

Chenda was born in Ratanakiri, in Cambodia's northern highlands. Families there hold together through a lot, and she watched how that works long before she had any language for it. She arrived in the U.S. in 2003, sponsored by an adoptive American family. What she learned in those years is the thing she still builds her practice on — that one safe relationship can redirect an entire life.

Her work centers on Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), grounded in systemic and attachment theory and carried by a social-justice lens. Diverse, multiracial, and immigrant families are where she does her best work — families managing cultural pressure and emotional strain at once. In session and in supervision, she holds to the same standards: respect for culture, honesty about feelings, and the relationship kept at the center.

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.

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.

I work with all ages and I'm trained in trauma based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR. I offer individual therapy using attachment based therapies, solution-focused brief therapy, and Gestalt self-compassion techniques. I'm not currently offering couples counseling except through private pay. I have worked with foster youth, caregivers, families, LGBTQ, and veterans. I have found my work to be professionally rewarding by assisting people in reaching their goals. I’m committed to meeting your needs and learning.