About Me
Hi, I'm Shaina.
My name is Shaina Peng. I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and I practice under the clinical supervision of Frank Cohn, LPC-S.
I earned my master's in clinical mental health counseling with a clear focus: supporting people through the complicated, very human territory of relationships, intimacy, and identity. I work with individual adults and couples who want a healthier way of relating, whether that means rebuilding trust, changing long-standing patterns, strengthening communication, or creating a relationship to sexuality that feels more connected and less stressful.
A lot of people come to therapy because they know something isn't working, but they can't name why. Maybe the same fight keeps happening, connection feels fragile, or there's a growing sense of distance even when love is still there. Others arrive feeling functional on the outside, yet internally stuck in self-criticism, people-pleasing, burnout, or uncertainty about what they want and what they need.
How I Work
My Approach
No two people are the same, so no two courses of therapy should look the same either.
My approach is active and structured. I pay attention to what is happening in real time and help you slow down enough to understand the pattern, not just the content of the problem. In couples work, that often looks like identifying the cycle you get pulled into, practicing new ways of communicating, and rebuilding emotional safety so repair becomes possible. In individual work, we focus on the relationship you have with yourself, including the parts of you that protect, overfunction, shut down, or push through, even when those strategies are costing you.
Many of the struggles people bring to therapy make sense when viewed through the lens of attachment, learned roles, and cultural expectations. I'm especially familiar with the pressure that can come from navigating family dynamics, identity, and “shoulds,” and the way those pressures shape boundaries, self-trust, and intimacy.
At the core of this work is a belief that people are wired for connection, but few of us were taught how to do connection well. Most of us learn relationship skills by trial and error, and we repeat what we have seen modeled until it stops working. My role is to help you understand what's happening beneath the surface, build the skills to respond differently, and create relationships that feel more respectful, secure, and mutually satisfying.
What Matters to Me
My Values
Warmth with Directness
This work is caring, but it is not vague. You’ll be met with warmth and respect, and I’ll also be honest about the patterns I see so we can create change, not just insight.
We Focus on Patterns, Not Blame
Therapy isn’t about who is right. It’s about what happens between you, what gets triggered inside you, and how to respond differently when it matters most.
Grounded in What Works
I use methods that are backed by real research, but I’ll always make sure they feel right for you. No cookie-cutter approaches here.
Skills that Translate
Insight is important, but it’s not the finish line. We build practical tools for conflict, boundaries, repair, and communication so progress shows up in everyday life.
Your Context Matters
Attachment history, learned roles, and cultural expectations shape how you cope and connect. We make room for family dynamics, identity, and the “shoulds” you’ve carried.
Self-Trust and Boundaries
The goal isn’t to “fix” you. It’s to strengthen your relationship with yourself so you can make decisions, set boundaries, and show up in relationships with more steadiness.
Want to see if we're a good fit?
I'd love to hear from you. Reach out and let's start the conversation — no strings attached.