Sana Akhtar Ramay, LMFT

Sana Akhtar Ramay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California who brings a compassionate, evidence-informed approach to working with individuals, couples, families, and children. She trained in psychology at the University of California, Davis, earning a Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in biology, and later completed a Master of Counseling from National University to prepare for clinical practice and community-based services.

Sana began her career working with children diagnosed with autism, a role that challenged and shaped her clinical skills and led to an early leadership position. She has experience across behavioral and community services as well as specialized children’s programs, serving clients from age 2 through young adulthood and supporting adults, couples, and families in the same settings. Her background includes collaborative work with psychiatrists and family systems when supporting complex treatment plans.

Sana’s training includes certification as a Nurtured Heart Trainer, certification in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and completion of a 26-week Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) course, along with additional trainings in grief, trauma, and cognitive approaches. Her therapeutic style is warm and interactive, combining Cognitive Behavioral, Narrative, Humanistic, and Psychodynamic techniques to create client-centered care. She emphasizes respect, dignity, and empowerment while involving clients in treatment planning and monitoring progress.

Sana values the growth that comes from facing challenges and welcomes those ready to take a first step toward change. She aims to guide, support, and encourage clients as they work toward greater well-being and satisfaction in their lives.

Evidence-Based Approaches Delivered Online

Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sana helps clients identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and develop practical skills to address anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship concerns. This approach focuses on concrete strategies and measurable progress to support everyday functioning.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which Sana has trained in through a 26-week program, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. DBT techniques can be especially helpful for intense emotions, relationship challenges, and patterns of reactive behavior.

Sana is also certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a coaching-based method that strengthens caregiver-child relationships and improves behavioral management for young children. PCIT supports families seeking tools to navigate parenting and attachment-related concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Sana works collaboratively with each person to select and adapt methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting treatment as progress is made and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with Sana offers flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy schedules, maintain continuity across life changes, and access therapists when in-person visits are not feasible.