Dr. Syma Ralston, CA Psychologist 18281
Experienced California psychologist for trauma and relationships
- 30 years experience
- Couples and family focus
- Accepts international clients
About Dr. Syma Ralston
Dr. Syma Ralston is a California-licensed clinical psychologist with 30 years of professional experience who has worked with adults of all ages, couples, and families. She has combined long-term private practice with leadership roles in clinical settings, bringing a broad perspective to assessment, therapy, and supervision.
Her background includes serving as director of training and educating doctoral-level interns, supervising mental health professionals, and holding leadership positions such as director of the Counseling Center at the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley, Chief Clinician at Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, and Supervising Psychologist at Walter Reed Medical Center. She has maintained a private practice throughout her career while contributing to training and program development in multiple clinical environments.
Dr. Ralston focuses on couples counseling and on treating individuals who have experienced trauma in childhood or adulthood, whether civilian or military. Her specialty areas include stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, depression, LGBT concerns, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting and fatherhood issues, anger, self-esteem, career matters, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes. She also addresses additional concerns such as abandonment, aging and geriatric issues, blended family matters, cancer-related distress, caregiver stress, commitment and control issues, dissociation, divorce and separation, family of origin problems, and communication difficulties.
Her clinical approach is flexible and client-centered, drawing from Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to match interventions to each person or couple. She is open to working with people of all cultures, religions, races, and sexual orientations, and she provides services in English. She holds a California psychologist license - CA Psychologist 18281.
Her background includes serving as director of training and educating doctoral-level interns, supervising mental health professionals, and holding leadership positions such as director of the Counseling Center at the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley, Chief Clinician at Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, and Supervising Psychologist at Walter Reed Medical Center. She has maintained a private practice throughout her career while contributing to training and program development in multiple clinical environments.
Dr. Ralston focuses on couples counseling and on treating individuals who have experienced trauma in childhood or adulthood, whether civilian or military. Her specialty areas include stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, depression, LGBT concerns, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting and fatherhood issues, anger, self-esteem, career matters, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes. She also addresses additional concerns such as abandonment, aging and geriatric issues, blended family matters, cancer-related distress, caregiver stress, commitment and control issues, dissociation, divorce and separation, family of origin problems, and communication difficulties.
Her clinical approach is flexible and client-centered, drawing from Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to match interventions to each person or couple. She is open to working with people of all cultures, religions, races, and sexual orientations, and she provides services in English. She holds a California psychologist license - CA Psychologist 18281.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Sexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Syma Ralston have?
Dr. Syma Ralston has 30 years of experience in clinical psychology, working with individual adults, couples, and families in a variety of clinical and supervisory roles.
Is Dr. Syma Ralston a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds a California psychologist license listed as CA Psychologist 18281.
In which languages does Dr. Syma Ralston provide therapy?
Dr. Ralston provides therapy in English.
Where is Dr. Syma Ralston located?
Dr. Ralston is located in California.
How can I work with Dr. Syma Ralston as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Ralston through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Syma Ralston work with international clients?
Yes. Dr. Ralston works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Syma Ralston cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Could Virtual Sessions Be a Good Fit?
Many people wonder whether connecting with a therapist online can make a meaningful difference. For a range of common concerns - including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and adapting to life changes - online therapy has been shown to be just as effective as traditional in-person sessions.One of the primary benefits is flexibility. Individuals can choose the format that fits their schedule and comfort level - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging - making it easier to include therapy in a busy life.
Licensed professionals offer these remote options, and clients may switch to a different therapist if they feel a different fit would be more helpful. Online therapy can provide a practical, accessible way to pursue care from qualified therapists while maintaining the structure and goals of traditional therapeutic work.