Dr. Scheherazade Pheng

I'm Dr. Scheherazade Pheng you can call me Dr. Lotus or Dr. Pheng a licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist in California with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of psychology and the justice system. I specialize in supporting adults and families navigating the emotional weight of incarceration: the parent who just got that devastating call, the grandparent who doesn't know where to turn, the family trying to hold itself together. My practice is built on one belief no matter your history or your circumstances, you have the capacity to heal. Dr. Pheng is also the author of The Other Side of the Wall: A Healing Guide for Families of Incarcerated Loved Ones, available at thriveinstitutefbh.com.

My approach is grounded in three things: real-world experience inside the systems that affect your family, evidence-based clinical practice, and deep compassion for everyone I serve. I've spent decades working inside California's maximum security prisons, in juvenile halls, and in therapy rooms with families who felt like they had lost everything and I bring all of that to our sessions. I'm direct and solution-oriented, but always guided by empathy and a genuine belief in your capacity to grow.

Our first session is about you I want to understand what brought you here, what you're carrying, and what support looks like for you. We'll talk through what's going on, explore your goals, and start mapping out a path forward together. My only agenda is making sure you leave feeling truly heard and a little less alone.