Sanya Virani, Ph.D.
Dr. Sanya Virani earned her Bachelor of Science with Honors in Psychology and Neuroscience from Arizona State University, followed by both her Master of Science and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. She completed her APA-accredited predoctoral internship at Boston Medical Center’s Multicultural Center, where she received specialized training in culturally responsive, trauma-informed care. Her work is grounded in understanding the complexities of identity, relationships, and the experience of living between cultures, while integrating evidence-based and culturally informed approaches to healing.
Dr. Virani specializes in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families experiencing trauma, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, life transitions, emotion regulation challenges, and attachment-related concerns. She also provides comprehensive psychological assessments for ADHD, autism, and a broad range of emotional, behavioral, and diagnostic concerns across the lifespan.
Over the course of her training and clinical career, Dr. Virani has worked across outpatient clinics, children’s hospitals, school systems, and community mental health settings. She previously provided individual and family therapy at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and parent coaching through the Stanford Parenting Center, supporting families of children with emotion regulation and behavioral challenges. Her experience spans play therapy, parent management training, family systems therapy, and evidence-based treatment for children, adolescents, young adults, and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds.
How I Help
I believe that meaningful therapy begins with feeling genuinely seen, understood, and accepted. My goal is to create a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where you can safely explore your experiences and show up as your authentic self.
Together, we will identify the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, understand where those patterns developed, and build new ways of relating to yourself and others. Rather than simply managing symptoms, our work focuses on developing greater self-awareness, strengthening your relationships, and helping you feel more grounded, connected, and confident in your everyday life. Whether you’re healing from trauma, navigating difficult relationships, or working through anxiety or depression, therapy is a space to reconnect with yourself and move toward lasting change.
My Approach
My therapeutic approach is integrative and individualized, drawing from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs while maintaining a strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship, cultural humility, and evidence-based practice.
I strive to help clients develop insight, emotional resilience, self-compassion, and practical skills that support long-term growth—not just symptom relief.
Psychological Assessment
Dr. Virani provides comprehensive psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, including:
- ADHD evaluations
- Autism evaluations
- Diagnostic assessments for emotional, behavioral, and psychological concerns
- Trauma- and stress-related evaluations
- Comprehensive diagnostic clarification to guide treatment planning
Education & Training
- APA-Accredited Predoctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology, Boston Medical Center – Multicultural Center
- PhD in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University
- MS in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University
- BS with Honors in Psychology and Neuroscience, Arizona State University