My Background
I have worked with diverse populations. People from different cultures, countries, and from different industries and professions. I am multilingual, multicultural and have lived in several countries.
I have experience working with executives from the entertainment industry; healthcare (doctors, nurses and care-givers), technology, and finance workers; artists using different mediums and the film industry.
I also worked with Active-Duty Marines for quite some time and still see Veterans.
I am currently focusing on helping adults of all ages including older adults residing in California. My California license number is 22773.
Additional 42 states (PsyPact) will be added soon, starting with the State of Colorado.
I am highly skilled in many approaches from the most practical down-to-earth solutions to experiential and spiritual perspective.

Education:
- Ph.D. University of California, Irvine, Psychology
- M.A. University of California, Irvine, Social Sciences
- B.A. State Art Teachers College, Education and Art
What to expect from working with me
Depending on your current challenges and priority we’ll select an approach together.
My work is trauma-informed whether it was childhood trauma, combat, war and/or complex trauma (multiple traumas); I frequently use CBT and other techniques including my own called The Pause Method® to help you replace limiting beliefs and image with beliefs and image that will move you forward. Most of us have beliefs and image that limits us. I never work with two clients alike.
The results you can expect include:
- A new perspective
- Relief from pain and limitations
- New insights and skills that will help you navigate your life easier
Like anything else in life, the more focus and effort you put into your therapy, the more you’ll get out.
Specialties Include:
- Stress
- Trauma: childhood, adult, war, combat, and complex (multiple exposure to traumas)
- Grief and Bereavement
- Adjusting to life’s transitions and change
- Relationship challenges
- Anxiety and depression
- Finding a renewed sense of purpose, setting new goals when starting over
- Career goals and work-related issues
- Hit your internal glass-ceiling, feeling your life could be so much more but feel frustrated, stifled, blocked and in pain of limitation.
When you work with Dr. Ilani, you get five experts for the price of one. Dr. Ilani is a certified peak performance coach, certified change management expert, licensed clinical psychologist, certified neurofeedback specialist, and mentor.
Testimonials
What Clients Say About Me
“The training shifted my work relationships dramatically and increased my productivity” – Roger W., Computer Wiz and Musician
“I can’t even tell you how different I feel. This dark cloud that always weigh on me, disappeared.” -J.C. (Nurse)
“It changed my whole life.” -Carolyn C.K
Santa Monica, CA
Artist and Writer
“Working with Dr. Dorit Ilani has been nothing short of transformative. From our very first session, I sensed that she was not just highly educated—with multiple advanced degrees and an impressive background in psychology and human behavior—but that she also possessed a rare and intuitive understanding of people. What makes Dr. Ilani truly exceptional is her subtle yet powerful approach. Her style is so natural and unobtrusive that I didn’t fully realize the depth of our work until I started experiencing real breakthroughs—some of which felt almost effortless in how they emerged. She has an uncanny ability to zero in on what truly matters, often identifying core issues before I’ve even articulated them myself. Since I began working with her, not only have I noticed a profound shift in my mindset and emotional well-being, but even my husband has commented on the positive changes he’s seen in me. Her guidance has helped me grow in ways I didn’t know were possible, and I genuinely feel more grounded, clear, and empowered than I have in years. Dr. Ilani is a gifted professional who blends deep expertise with a heartfelt, intuitive presence. I’m deeply grateful for the work we’ve done together and cannot recommend her highly enough.” – Patricia Y
“I ve struggled my whole life with mental issues, I am also a breast cancer survivor. When I started therapy with Dr. Ilani my heart was broken, I was so sad and powerless. I was prepared and convinced this is the way I was going to be until I died. Dr. Ilani gave me the ability to deal with everything through new eyes. I began to control and organize my emotions, thoughts and actions, set boundries where I never thought I was allowed and I even started a business doing something I love. I process everything differently now. I have found HOPE…thanks to Dr. Ilani. Bottom line is Dr. Dorit Ilani did something for me that is priceless….Anyone who is illuminated with Dr. Ilani’s presence should consider themselves very fortunate and be prepared for a positive change in their life in a short period of time. Thank you Dr. Dorit llani so much!! – Gina H.
“Dr. Ilani’s Pause Method has proven to me that life changing results are what I can expect. Having had one session with Dr. Ilani and the application of The Pause Method® continues to have a powerfully beneficial impact on all aspects of my life and business. Dr. Ilani’s incredible ability to directly identify and replace the non-beneficial beliefs that I had, immediately allowed me to not only be able to make new choices but to now, a year later, have a whole new spectrum of choices. I am no longer stuck in my old framework. I feel so much more personal power since I worked with Dr. Ilani. I am able to make a lot more conscious choices with great ease and take responsibility for what is happening in my life. I am forever grateful to Dr. Ilani for the powerfully magical work that I feel is the leading edge solution to our troubled and stressful time. I believe that her results-based method is the methodology whose time has come.” –Rev. Rich Lenzini
“When I heard about “The Pause Method®” my first reaction was that of a skeptic. Being a very busy and hyper person by nature, I did not believe that anyone could even get me to “Pause” long enough to catch my breath. However, since I was going through difficult times in my business, a lot of frustration and fear seemed to follow me around, I knew I needed to do something, and since Dr. Ilani came highly recommended, I decided to give her a try. I was truly amazed by the results; very intuitively she zoomed in on my issues, made me aware of what in my thinking was causing the shortcomings and limitations, keeping my desired success always “in the future. Her approach was to the point – yet seemed fairly effortless, but the results were immediate. It felt as if some invisible force opened floodgates and my reality changed in a magical way, successes were pouring in and I felt totally free of the “black cloud” which seemed to be always there.” E.A. California
