About | Dr Neallie Ranon

About

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist in California and have been practicing in the Bay Area since 2008. My work is guided by a deep passion for helping others, and I approach therapy with sensitivity, care, and respect. I believe strongly in people’s capacity to cope, learn, grow, and thrive, and I strive to support that process with every client I work with.

As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, providing therapy in both English and Hebrew, I value working with individuals and couples from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I have extensive experience in both brief and long‑term therapy.

I earned my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. My clinical training included a pre‑doctoral internship and a post‑doctoral fellowship at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), where I worked in the inpatient and outpatient psychiatry department.

My Approach

As a therapist, I take a comprehensive approach that considers the distinct problems that bring you into treatment, your unique circumstances, cultural background, lifestyle, and stage in life. I approach each person with curiosity and respect, seeking to understand you as a unique individual rather than just another diagnosis. I work collaboratively with my patients and always try to be understanding and sensitive.

My theoretical approach is psychodynamic, which means I look beyond immediate symptoms to explore the underlying issues contributing to distress. I believe that deeper self‑understanding fosters lasting change and greater flexibility in how you respond to life’s challenges. With insight into what drives certain behaviors, you gain the freedom to choose new ways of relating and living.

I also integrate trauma work into therapy, recognizing that trauma often resides in both the body and the mind. Healing involves gently reconnecting with physical sensations as well as emotions. By cultivating awareness of these experiences, we can learn how to regulate overwhelming feelings and restore a sense of safety. This approach helps you resolve trauma and build resilience—so you can move beyond survival patterns toward greater integration and freedom.

Therapy is most effective when you actively engage in the process and bring what you learn in our sessions into your daily life. Open communication between us is key, and while therapy can sometimes feel challenging, I will support you in exploring even the most uncomfortable aspects of your life. If you ever feel shy or embarrassed about any topic, just let me know and I’ll gladly help.

What Is Therapy And How Can It Help?

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a series of therapeutic discussions between a therapist and a client. People turn to therapy for many reasons—navigating major life transitions such as unemployment or the birth of a child, managing daily stress, or addressing longstanding difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties. Therapy offers a safe space to learn more about yourself and broaden your emotional toolbox so you can move towards a more fulfilling life instead of just surviving.

Seeking therapy does not diminish the strengths you’ve relied on in the past - it simply means you may have exhausted your own resources and are ready to rethink or expand your coping skills. A therapist can help you rethink patterns, get new insights, and support lasting change.

Benefits of therapy may include:

• Resolving the concerns that led you to seek therapy

• Learning healthier ways to manage stress, anxiety, anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures

• Developing problem‑solving and communication skills

• Discovering ways to strengthen relationships and improve listening

• Gaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals, and your values

• Replacing old behavioral patterns with better ones

• Improving your self‑esteem and gaining the strength resilience to cope with life’s challenges