Dr. Anahita Kalianivala, Chronic Pain Therapist
I help people transform their relationship to chronic pain and take back their lives.
Hi there, I’m Dr. Kalianivala
(but you can call me by my first name, Anahita. Hear how to pronounce my name.)
As a licensed psychologist with advanced training in chronic pain care, I help people reconnect with their bodies, reclaim ease, and reimagine what’s possible.
My work is grounded in science, rooted in compassion, and oriented to the possibility of what it means to heal.
I aim to embody deep respect for the complexity of pain—physical, emotional, and spiritual.
Because you don’t need to "tough it out" or put on a brave face to be worthy of support.
Whether you're feeling stuck, exhausted, or just ready for something different, I promise we’ll meet your pain with curiosity—not pressure.
Licensure
Nevada Licensed Psychologist (PY0991)
PSYPACT Authorization Holder (Mobility No. 21214)
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT)
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Clinical Psychology
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Pain Psychology
Stanford University School of Medicine
My Approach to Chronic Pain Therapy
Therapy should be a space where you feel seen—
Not just as a person in pain, but as a whole human with a unique identity, history, and set of needs. My work is grounded in empathy, respect for autonomy, and a deep commitment to each person’s inherent worth and dignity.
In therapy, I’ll help you learn how to listen to and work with your body, not against it.
Instead of forcing change or trying to “fix” you, we’ll focus on:
* understanding your body’s signals and needs
* regulating your nervous system
* creating sustainable relief.
I love working at the intersection of the medical, physical, emotional, and even the spiritual.
Because healing isn’t just about “symptom relief”—it’s about reconnecting with yourself in a way that feels authentic, intuitive, and empowering.
One of my strengths as a therapist is meeting people exactly where they are, helping them gently stretch beyond their comfort zone without overwhelming their nervous system.
That means we’ll go at the right pace for you to help reach your goals and build your confidence in handling pain that’s (so far) felt uncontrollable or unmanageable.
Clinical Experience You Can Trust
Click any section below to take a closer look at my professional journey.
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Across my career as a clinical psychologist, I have placed a strong emphasis in practice on collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in order to provide comprehensive care for patients. While my recent emphasis has been on chronic pain specifically, I have also supported patients in settings like primary care, medical weight loss, and inpatient rehabilitation.
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I’ve had the pleasure of working in the VA both as a trainee and as a staff psychologist. (Shout out to my health psychology pre-doctoral internship at the Memphis VA for showing me the ropes.)
As a staff psychologist at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA (Reno, NV) and the VISN 12 Clinical Resource Hub (based out of Jesse Brown VA in Chicago, IL), I provided specialized psychological services to Veterans. In my roles, I was able to support both chronic pain management and associated mental health concerns while working alongside other treating providers to ensure comprehensive care.
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After earning my PhD, I completed a year-long clinical psychology fellowship at the Stanford Pain Clinic (Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine). My fellowship emphasized advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and biofeedback for chronic pain.
I also had the unique experience of working from home for the 2nd half of my fellowship, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which began my journey with delivering telehealth services to individuals managing chronic pain.
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Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT): Completed Basic Training with the Pain Reprocessing Therapy Institute, enhancing skills in treating chronic pain through neuroplasticity-based methods.
Empowered Relief Instructor: Certified to deliver this evidence-based, single-session pain management class developed at Stanford University.
CBT-I Consultation and Training (VA): Participated in national training initiatives for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a gold-standard, non-medication approach to improving sleep.
Why Working with a Pain Psychologist Matters
If you’ve ever talked about chronic pain with another provider, especially one who didn’t “get it,” you know how emotionally expensive it it is to share your story — and to educate the provider, and to regulate your nervous system, and to manage your pain — all while worrying about being misunderstood.
The good news is that when you work with a chronic pain specialist, you don’t have to spend time explaining the basics of your condition or justify your experience.
You’re already starting in a space that:
(1) has heard of your condition before, and
(2) sees the complex relationship between mind and body, without trying to dismiss either one.
Plus, with me, you’re in a place that honors the full scope of your experience—physical, emotional, and psychological. We create a therapeutic environment where your body, your boundaries, and your truth are the foundation of the work. Whether we’re exploring new coping strategies, discussing how to advocate for yourself, or simply creating space just to be, our work together will always honor the whole you.
A Collaborative Approach to Healing
I believe healing is about more than just pain relief—it’s about rediscovering:
your sense of freedom,
your sense of connection,
and your empowerment.
My role is not just to “fix your symptoms,” but to partner with you in uncovering and addressing the deeper layers of your experience that are causing your brain to yell ”DANGER!” (and produce pain signals), even when nothing is “wrong.”
Together, we’ll explore tools and strategies that fit your unique needs and help you reconnect with what truly matters to you, creating a path toward healing that is as personal and dynamic as you are.
If you're carrying doubt, you're not alone.
I know some people arrive to the “chronic pain therapy” space with doubt, feeling unsure if it’s right for them. Or if it can help them. Or if healing is even possible anymore.
🌿 Maybe you’ve tried support before and felt like it didn’t quite reach the places that needed tending.
🩶 Maybe you’re afraid to hope again.
🌾 Maybe you're not sure this will help — but you're here anyway.
If that’s you, I want you to know: you don’t have to have it all figured out in order to get started. This work meets you where you are — with clarity, collaboration, and compassion.
Plus, let’s be real — if you did already have it figured out, you wouldn’t still be curious for help.
You’re allowed to take this one step at a time. And you’re allowed to do it with support.
If any part of this resonates, I’d love to help.
You can keep exploring in the alcove (blog) or schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and see if this might be the right fit.