
Ranjan Patel
Psychologist
1838 El Camino Real Suite 220 Burlingame CA, 94010About
Dr. Ranjan Patel is a psychotherapist practicing in Burlingame, CA. Dr. Patel specializes in psychotherapy and mindfulness training, and sees individuals, adolescents in their late teens, couples and families. She treats a wide variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, self-esteem, phobias, eating disorders. She has over 35 years of experience in the mental health field. For more information about her practice, please visit: www.DrRanjanPatel.com
Education and Training
CIIS MA 1987
U.S.F. B.A. 1985
SCUPS Psy.D. 1990
Provider Details

Ranjan Patel's Expert Contributions
Are antidepressants effective for panic attacks?
Some anti-depressants (in specific classes) are effective for treating panic disorder. The best way to address this is to consult a psychiatrist, who specializes in assessing and prescribing for this type of symptom. READ MORE
I can barely remember?
Please make an appointment to see your internist, who might refer you to a neurologist and also a neuropsychologist for assessments. It's important to rule out an organic cause for your symptoms. READ MORE
Can talk therapy be harmful?
It is not harmful if your therapy and therapist is a good fit for you. If you are in therapy and feel it's harming you, making you feel worse, hurting you in any way, please share it with your therapist and/or find a another therapist. I'm sorry about what you're going through and wish you the best. READ MORE
What do counselors do for anxiety?
There are many theoretic orientations and interventions for anxiety, and it depends on the specific person and the type of anxiety. Examples of therapies are CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), mindfulness training, ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy). If there are OCD aspects or others, more specialized therapies might also be indicated, e.g. ERP (Exposure Response Training). READ MORE
What is the best psychological treatment for schizophrenia?
The first step is to make sure you're working with a psychiatrist who is prescribing an effective medication to manage your symptoms. It's a also key to finding a therapist who's working with you to deal with "breakthrough" symptoms. There are many strategies which your therapist will review with you--one size does not fit all, so it's hard to know ahead of time which will be the best fit for you. READ MORE
What is the most common therapy for anxiety?
There are many theoretic orientations and interventions for anxiety, and it depends on the specific person and the type of anxiety. Examples of therapies are CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), mindfulness training, ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy). If there are OCD aspects or others, more specialized therapies might also be indicated, e.g. ERP (Exposure Response Training). READ MORE
Does depression cause personality change?
Yes, depression can cause a change in personality and behaviors, e.g. sleeping more than usual is definitely a classic symptom. Please take your daughter to a psychiatrist or psychologist for an assessment and psychotherapy. READ MORE
What is the difference between a psychologist and a neuropsychologist?
A neuropsychologist has specialized training to assess via objective and subjective measures, aspects of your your mind's functionality. A neuropsychologist assess all ages, though some might specialize in pediatrics or geriatrics, adolescents, etc. A psychologist, on the other hand, is trained in psychotherapy and helping you resolve symptoms you're going in for, though some psychologists also do assessments of personality. READ MORE
What are the key features of psychodynamic approach?
This orientation is sometimes called "insight" where you and your therapist make connections between your child, events during it and key relationships from your childhood to current events and who you are today. From this, you explore aspects of your traits and states, evolving and making the changes that are important to you, with your therapist reflecting back to you key points. READ MORE
Can a psychologist help with anxiety?
There are many theoretic orientations and interventions for anxiety, and it depends on the specific person and the type of anxiety. Examples of therapies are CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), mindfulness training, ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy). If there are OCD aspects or others, more specialized therapies might also be indicated, e.g. ERP (Exposure Response Training). READ MORE
Is most back pain psychological?
The human mind and body are remarkably complex. I would never tell you that your back pain--or any other physical pain is psychological. Please see a specialist, e.g. orthopedist, pain management specialist, etc., There are also psychological methods to manage chronic pain, e..g. to accept it and live with it. But this is saying something different than root causing it as "psychological" in origin. This is reductionistic and far from accurate. Please see an MD to get a strategy for dealing with it. READ MORE
Can you overcome anxiety by yourself?
Yes, there are many books/self help options available that you can practice yourself. But therapy is also a great idea, e.g. There are many theoretic orientations and interventions for anxiety, and it depends on the specific person and the type of anxiety. Examples of therapies are CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), mindfulness training, ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy). If there are OCD aspects or others, more specialized therapies might also be indicated, e.g. ERP (Exposure Response Training). READ MORE
Can anxiety be managed?
There are many theoretic orientations and interventions for anxiety, and it depends on the specific person and the type of anxiety. Examples of therapies are CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), mindfulness training, ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy). If there are OCD aspects or others, more specialized therapies might also be indicated, e.g. ERP (Exposure Response Training). READ MORE
Can couples therapy make things worse?
This is a complex issue. Your couples therapist needs to know about this addiction, so that he/she can make best clinical decisions about how to proceed. If you feel things are worse as a result of the therapy, please be sure to let the therapist know so that she/he can change the therapy or refer you to another therapist or take steps to directly address the addiction. READ MORE
Can manic depression be fixed?
Congratulations on taking the first step in caring for yourself: getting an assessment/diagnosis is crucial. Bipolar I and II can be managed very well, with the right medications and psychotherapy plus other support strategies. It's important to be regular with all of your management and even if you feel like you're doing better, do not adjust or stop taking your meds without first consulting your doctor. I wish you the best. READ MORE
Is CBT effective for social anxiety in children?
Yes, absolutely CBT has a wide range of applications and can help children as well as adults. Be sure to consult with a child therapist who might be the best fit with the right level of expertise. READ MORE
Can a psychologist help with chronic pain?
Though a therapist will not be able to help with the actual cause of the physical pain, he/she can help with your coping strategies with it, and therefore, your experience of it, plus your daily managing of it. How to live successfully with something you cannot change is one of the best hallmarks and features of what psychotherapy can help you with. READ MORE
No change after OCD medication?
If you've been taking it as prescribed, it's time to see your provider and either switch medications or increase dosage. Because we do not currently have a blood test or other test to predict which medication will work on what client, it's a trial and error process. This is understandably frustrating and difficult, but often ultimately yields a good result, e.g. you find a medication which helps. READ MORE
How to treat my vertigo?
In addition to a psychiatrist, it would also be best to see an ENT specialist who can further assess your symptoms and rule out other potential ear issues. READ MORE
How long does it take for CBT to work for ADHD?
It depends on both the rapport between client and therapist, as well as the client's compliance with the strategies and homework given. It's best to see a provider who specializes in ADHD. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Mindfulness Training/Meditation Instructor Burlingame Community Center 2015 - 2016
Professional Memberships
- CAMFT
- ACBS--Association Contextual Behavioral Science
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- A portion of my practice is pro bono
Areas of research
Published articles on parenting, couples affection; anxiety; chronic illness/pain on GoodTherapy.org, PsychCentral, and EQ Network, as well as on YourTangoRanjan Patel's Practice location
Ranjan Patel's reviews
Write ReviewPatient Experience with Dr. Patel
- Natasha
Though I had to talk my husband into going, we went to see her for couples therapy, because after my mom died we fell into a lot of bickering, I felt depressed and just didn’t feel like my usual chipper self. We saw her for about 4 months, and got a lot out of it, learned all sorts of new stuff about how to talk to each other. I was impressed with how she put my husband at ease, who was pretty skeptical and reluctant, said he didn’t believe in therapy, lol. I liked how she’s really relaxed and flexible, very smart and sharp, saw what was happening with us and gave us stuff to do every week. After we stopped couples therapy, I kept going for myself, because I felt she understood me and was also helping me have a better relationship with my daughter, who’s also just started going to see her. The best thing I can say is that I always feel she cares and looks out for our whole family, and is good about not taking sides and keeping things level and balanced.
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Nearby Providers
- Dr. Elizabeth Weiss PH.D PSYCHOLOGIST799 Main St Ste F Half Moon Bay CA 94019
- Dr. Paul Kiritsis PSYD20 Cortez Avenue Redwood City California 94062
- Dr. Richard D. Abbey PH.D.366 California Ave Ste 14 Palo Alto CA 94306
- Mr. Ronald M. Ruff PH.D.909 Hyde Street San Francisco California 94109
- Jennifer Strong505 Montgomery Street San Francisco CA 94111
- Eval Gal-Oz PH.D.415 Cambridge Ave Palo Alto California 94306
Nearest Hospitals
MILLS-PENINSULA MEDICAL CENTERl
1501 TROUSDALE DRIVE BURLINGAME CA 94010KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITAL - SOUTH SAN FRANCISCOl
1200 EL CAMINO REAL SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA 94080SAN MATEO MEDICAL CENTERl
222 W 39TH AVE SAN MATEO CA 94403