Shaista (Shai) Khanoon, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist 127555

About Me
I am a first-generation Muslim American women who emigrated from the Fiji Islands. As a first- generation college student coming from a low income household I encountered many trials and tribulations on the road to achieve an education. I am determined to help others as they walk on their own path to find peace and healing. I have several years of experience working in diverse populations navigating through various challenges that impact an individual's quality of life. As a multi cultural therapist I strive for cultural competence and recognize the various complexities that establish an individual identity. As I encompass the identity of being both a Muslim and an American I have been faced with many challenges that come across with balancing both identities. I have studied Islam for many years and have experience in providing religious counseling to young Muslim women as they struggle with adjusting to American societal expectations. I aim to help support the women in my community on embracing their power and discovering their identities as they navigate on creating a balance between religious obligation and individual values. I have worked in behavioral health field as a behavior specialist for 5 years helping parents and families with children with behavioral needs such as Autism and ADHD. I believe that it is with patience and humility that strengthen my relationship with my clients and I welcome curiosity and diversity into the room.
​
Please feel free to connect with me via email or message me for a free phone consultation.

My Specialties
ADHD
Anger Management
Depression
Anxiety
Identity Development
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Career Counseling
Communication Skills
Cultural and Systemic Oppression
Family Conflict
Grief or Loss
Immigration/Acculturation
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Relationship / Marriage Issues
Self-Esteem
Providing Psychotherapy for California residents via Telehealth
Offering Individual Therapy, Family Therapy, Couples Therapy, and Consultations on Behavior Management.
My Approach
Modalities: Trauma Informed Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
I acknowledge that being vulnerable about your most deepest pain may elicit discomfort and it is my deepest honor and privilege to walk alongside you as we walk towards healing and empowerment. I strive to create a safe place for my clients who come from all backgrounds of life facilitating compassion and openness. As a multi cultural therapist I strive for cultural competence and recognize the various complexities that establish an individual identity. My hope is to empower individuals to take control of their lives and help support them in living a truly fulfilling life. I use a collaborative lens in therapy and work with my client's in developing positive changes that they believe hold a high precedent in their lives. By using trauma informed care along with an integrated approach I cater each treatment to that individual as i believe there is no one approach that fits all. My hope is to help you recognize your strengths so that together we can bring your most authentic self to reality.


Treatment Orientations
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a highly recommended evidenced based approach to treat PTSD and trauma. EMDR focuses on placing attention to past distressing events and implementing reprocessing mechanisms to create new associations about disturbing memories/thoughts in order to help individual's heal and move forward.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Techniques have proven to help change thought patterns in behaviors to get a desired response. I help client's connect their thoughts to their behaviors and therefore resulting in a desired behavior. CBT has also been highly effective with issues such as anxiety, low motivation, and depression.
Trauma Therapy
I use mindfulness and various meditative interventions to support client's in regulating their emotions. In addition, I work from a trauma informed care incorporating safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment when applying therapeutic interventions to treatment.

Topics for Thought

Cultural Competence
Cultural competence is the capability to connect with individuals from various groups and backgrounds. Being a culturally competent individual means striving to recognize, understand and the ability to respond to a variety of cultures, such as: Religion/Spirituality, Race/Ethnicity, Immigration Experience, and an individual’s Sexual Orientation.
​
Some cultural considerations to explore with your therapist when discussing identity development are the following but not limited to ;
-
Ethnicity
-
Gender
-
Age
-
Sexual orientation
-
Language
-
Values
-
Goals
-
Life experiences
How have these components shaped your identity? What aspects of your identity do you struggle with? How can your therapist support you in strengthening these aspects of your identity?
The Benefits of Long-Term Behavioral Therapy For Children on The Autism Spectrum
Applied Behavior Analysis
ABA is a highly structured, scientific approach that teaches play, communication, self-care, academic and social living skills, and reduces problematic behaviors.
Verbal Behavior Therapy
VBT branches from Applied Behavior Analysis to support children move beyond from labeling. It is a first step of learning language and gesturing to then vocalizing their requests – “I want a lollipop.”
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT strives to define the triggers of certain behavioral patterns, so that a child starts to recognize those moments for themselves. CBT can help greatly with concerns common to autism, such as being overly fearful or anxious.


Contact Me
Have a particular challenge you’re trying to deal with? Connect with me today to see how I can help.
Resources
​
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
800-273-TALK (8255)
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
800-799-7233
Crisis Text Line:
Text “Courage” to 741-741
​
Sacramento County Mental Health 24-Hour Crisis Line:
(888) 881-4881 or (916) 875-1055​
​
Contra Costa Crisis Line:
(800) 833-2900
Text ‘HOPE’ to 20121
Santa Clara County Psychiatric Services:
650-573-2662
Crisis Support Services of Alameda County 24-Hour Crisis Line
1(800) 309-2131
Veterans Crisis Line:
800-273-8255
Dial 911 for immediate help




