Dr. Ralston is great. She asks lots of questions and suggests what I can do to get better. I really appreciate her.
Dr. Syma Ralston, Psychologist
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Syma is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Syma. View 3 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
Dr. Ralston is present, warm, thoughtful, professional and kind - basically all the attributes you want in a therapist. Thank you for your care Dr. Ralston.
More about Syma
- 30 years' experience
- Female
- Psychologist
I am an experienced clinical psychologist who has worked with individual adults of all ages, with couples and with families. I have been a director of training and have educated doctoral level interns. I have supervised mental health professionals, worked as director of the Counseling Center at Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley, as Chief Clinician at Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, and as a Supervising Psychologist at Walter Reed Medical Center. I have had a private practice throughout my career.
I am especially interested in providing couples counseling and working with individuals who have have suffered trauma, whether in childhood or adulthood, whether as civilians or while in the military. I am open to treating people of all cultures, religions , races and sexual orientations.
I use whichever approach works best for my clients, helping them achieve their goals.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Depression
LGBT
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Abandonment
Aging and geriatric issues
Blended family issues
Cancer
Caregiver issues and stress
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
Dependent personality
Dissociation
Divorce and separation
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
Fertility issues
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Phobias
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Pregnancy and childbirth
Prejudice and discrimination
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Sexual assault and abuse
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Dr. Syma Ralston's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1669673240.
- Psychologist · California · 18281 · Expires January 2026
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Dr. Syma Ralston
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Dr. Ralston is great. She asks lots of questions and suggests what I can do to get better. I really appreciate her.
Dr. Ralston is present, warm, thoughtful, professional and kind - basically all the attributes you want in a therapist. Thank you for your care Dr. Ralston.
Amazing psychologist - would recommend working with her
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Syma Ralston offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Dr. Syma Ralston works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Dr. Syma Ralston speak?
Dr. Syma Ralston speaks English.
How many years of experience does Dr. Syma Ralston have?
Dr. Syma Ralston has 30 years of experience.
Where is Dr. Syma Ralston licensed to practice?
Dr. Syma Ralston is licensed to practice in California.
Does Dr. Syma Ralston accept clients outside of the United States?
Yes, Dr. Syma Ralston accepts clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Dr. Syma Ralston offer?
Dr. Syma Ralston offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Dr. Syma Ralston?
Dr. Syma Ralston can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Dr. Syma Ralston?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.