Dr. Anahita Kalianivala | Chronic Pain Therapist
I help people transform their relationship to pain and take back their lives.
A Mind-Body-Spirit Approach to Chronic Pain Psychology
Hi, 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 possibility—and what it means to heal. I aim to embody deep respect for the complexity of pain—physical, emotional, and spiritual.
You don’t need to "tough it out" or put on a brave face to be worthy of support. I believe you are worth of care simply by being. So, whether you're feeling stuck, exhausted, or just ready for something different, I promise we’ll meet your pain with curiosity—not pressure.
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 dignitity.
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, and creating sustainable relief.
I love working at the intersection of the medical, physical, emotional, and even the spiritual. 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.
I’ll tailor therapy to you, and we’ll go at your pace. I’m here to help you reach your goals and build your confidence in handling pain that’s felt “uncontrollable” or “unmanageable.”
Benefits of Working with a Chronic Pain Therapist
Clinical Experience You Can Trust
I attended my doctoral program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, earning a PhD in clinical psychology with a strong foundation in cognitive behavioral therapy skills across the lifespan. Since my generalist training, I’ve dedicated my career to supporting adults navigating chronic pain, health-related stress, and complex medication conditions.
Here’s a peek at my professional journey:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
I’m licensed to provide services in Nevada (License No. PY0991) and authorized to practice online therapy in all PSYPACT-participating states (Mobility #21214), ensuring accessible care across multiple regions.
Curious about how online therapy at Alcove Mental Health works? Read more.
Online Therapy That Meets You Where You Are
At Alcove, we believe therapy should support true and deep healing—not pushing you to “just get by.” Together in our online therapy sessions, we’ll work at your pace, honoring your unique experience. I draw from a variety of evidence-based and integrative approaches—like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), mindfulness, and more. I design personalized treatment plans to help you navigate your pain more confidently and find lasting relief.
Want to see the full list of therapeutic modalities I use? It’s all here.
Why Chronic Pain Therapy Matters
Working with a chronic pain specialist means you don’t have to spend time explaining the basics of your condition or justify your experience. You get a space that already understands the complex relationship between mind and body, and one that honors the full scope of your experience—physical, emotional, and psychological. Unlike traditional therapy, where pain may not always be the central focus, pain specialists like me bring a deep understanding of how chronic pain impacts every aspect of your life. We create a therapeutic environment where your body, your boundaries, and your truth are the foundation of the work.
This approach ensures that every conversation, tool, and technique we use is tailored to the unique reality of living with chronic pain. Whether we’re exploring new coping strategies, shifting how you relate to your pain, or simply creating space for healing, our work together will always honor the whole you.
More Than Symptoms: A Collaborative Approach to Healing
I believe healing is about more than just pain relief—it’s about rediscovering your sense of freedom, connection, and empowerment. My role is not to simply fix symptoms, but to partner with you in uncovering and addressing the deeper layers of your experience. 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.
Learn more about our practice values.
If you're carrying doubt, you're not alone.
I know some people arrive here feeling unsure — not just about therapy, but about whether healing is still possible for them.
🌿 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 to begin. This work meets you where you are — with clarity, collaboration, and no pressure to be fixed (or perfect).
You’re allowed to take this one step at a time.
If any part of this resonates, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
You can keep exploring other parts of the About Alcove section to see how online therapy for chronic pain and illness works, read in the alcove (our blog), or schedule a free 15-minute consultation to ask questions and see if this might be the right fit.