Licensed to practice in California and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anger Management, Anxiety, Depression
New to Grow
Hello, I'm Dr. Scheherazade Pheng, a licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with more than 20 years of experience helping adults across California. My work has been at the intersection of mental health, the criminal justice system, and the families whose lives are deeply affected by it. One of the things that matters most to me is making quality mental health care accessible. I welcome clients with a variety of insurance plans because I believe the support you receive should never depend on the insurance card you carry. Throughout my career, I have learned two important truths. When one person enters the criminal justice system, an entire family is impacted. Parents, spouses, grandparents, and children often carry overwhelming stress, grief, fear, and uncertainty while trying to keep moving forward. I have also seen that many communities near California's prisons and detention facilities have limited access to mental health care, despite having a tremendous need for support. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, anger, shame, or the emotional challenges of loving someone who is incarcerated, you will find a compassionate and judgment-free space in my practice. Together, we'll work toward healing, greater clarity, and renewed hope. You deserve support just as much as the people you care about, and I'm here to help when you're ready.
Our first session is all about getting to know you. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, the challenges you're facing, and what you hope to gain from our work together. My goal is to make sure you feel heard, understood, and supported from the very beginning. My approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused techniques, while also drawing on more than two decades of real-world experience working within the systems that affect many of my clients. I am honest, compassionate, and solution-focused. I'll encourage you when you're ready to grow, gently challenge unhelpful patterns, and provide support through life's most difficult moments. Therapy is a place where you can speak openly, without judgment, and begin building a path forward at your own pace.
One of my greatest strengths is my unique professional experience. I have worked as a Clinical Psychologist in California's maximum-security prisons, juvenile halls, and other government settings, providing therapy, crisis intervention, and psychological assessments. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the emotional impact that the criminal justice system has on individuals and families. I combine that knowledge with empathy, practical guidance, and evidence-based care to help clients feel understood while working toward meaningful and lasting change.
I work especially well with people who have been carrying emotional burdens for a long time, often without feeling seen or supported. You may be the parent of an incarcerated child, a spouse trying to hold your family together, or an adult still processing the lasting effects of growing up with a parent in prison. You may also live in a community where mental health resources are limited, making it difficult to find someone who truly understands your experiences. Many of my clients are hardworking, resilient people who have spent years putting everyone else's needs first. Beneath that strength, they may be experiencing anxiety, grief, guilt, shame, exhaustion, or isolation. They aren't looking for someone to judge them or tell them what to do they're looking for someone who understands both the emotional challenges they face and the systems that shape those experiences. If you're ready to move beyond simply surviving and begin building a healthier, more fulfilling future, I would be honored to support you through that journey.
Trauma and PTSD — including correctional, community, and interpersonal trauma Anxiety and Stress — chronic worry, hypervigilance, and the exhaustion of living in crisis mode Anger Management — understanding and transforming the roots of chronic anger Shame and Guilt — working through the weight of a loved one’s arrest or incarceration Parenting Challenges — especially for parents of justice-involved youth Grief and Loss — including the ambiguous grief of incarceration that the world rarely validates Life Transitions — arrest, sentencing, release, reintegration, and their ripple effects Relationship Issues — rebuilding connections strained by trauma, stress, and the justice system Depression — including the situational depression that comes from prolonged family crisis Cultural and Ethnic Issues — serving diverse California communities with genuine cultural humility
Caregiver Burnout — for those carrying others while their own needs go unmet