Health Service Provider in Psychology National Register of Health Service Provider, America Psychological and Counseling, PC
Health Service Provider in Psychology National Register of Health Service Provider, America Psychological and Counseling, PC
Dr. Gopal is an award-winning keynote, and international speaker and trainer on foster care and adoption, human trafficking, child sexual abuse, Autism Spectrum and neurodevelopmental disorders, and psychopathology. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant University, San Diego and began her doctorate degree in Vanderbilt University, Tennessee.
Dr Gopal has extensive and in-depth experience of governance of Psychological Associations
2019: SPTA Level. President Illinois Psychological Association overseeing 30 board members, hosting association for APA Convention in Illinois
2022: National/Division Level, President, Division 12, Society of Clinical Psychology
2024/2025: Global Level. President, Psychology Coalition at the United Nations of which APA is part of the Coalition of European, Asian, African MENA, the Americas.
Skills-Set
CLINICAL PRACTICE:
Managing a medium-sized private practice with four clinics full-time as an owner/administrator and clinician doing both psychotherapy, psychological evaluations, mentoring masters' and doctoral students, and teaching clinicians.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Working with Dr Vincent Felitti on modifying the ACEs to address psychoecocultural adversities. Maternal and infant health, developmental lifespan, social justice.
ACADEMIC: Developed training curriculum for BA/BS program
Program development of competencies in trauma training
GLOBAL: Internationally sought out trainer on human trafficking and rehabilitation of survivors of gender-based violence.
At this moment in history, we face profound challenges—technological upheaval, political polarization, climate change, and a mental health crisis that touches every community. Psychology has never been more needed, but it must also evolve. I understand the growing needs of psychologists across careers and settings. I recognize the importance of maintaining high academic standards while making our field more accessible and inclusive.
I have lived psychology at every level—globally as President of The Psychology Coalition of the United Nations, nationally as President of APA’s Division 12, and locally as President of the Illinois Psychological Association.
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. Began Ph.D. (Psychology) 09/86 - 08/88
Alliant University, San Diego, California (Completed Ph.D., Clinical Psychology) 09/88 - 06/91
B.A. (Psychology) Delhi University
M.A. (Clinical Psychology). Delhi University
M.Phil. (Medical and Social Psychology)
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS)
Licensed Clinical Psychologist # 20041200A. State of Indiana
Licensed Clinical Psychologist # 071-0005629. State of Illinois
Licensed Psychologist # PY 9303. State of Florida.
Health Service Provider in Psychology (HSPP) State of Indiana
Credentialed: National Registry of Health Service Providers in Psychology
Diplomate, American Board of Psychological Specialties, Sexual Abuse (ABPS Diplomate)
Board-Certified, Founding Fellow, American Board of Advanced Practice Psychologists (FACAPP)
Collaborative Law Training, September 2013
Certified Divorce Mediation, October 2013
Charter-Listed Member, Prescribing Psychologists’ Register
Certified Addictions Specialist (Endorsement) CDVCIV
Certified Domestic Violence Counselor.
Dr Gopal oversees operations of two private practices with four clinics in Indiana. Mid-America Psychological & Counseling Services, PC offers a wide range of health services to ensure that all of your healthcare needs are met.
She runs an award -winning NGO,SAFE Coalition for Human Rights and the clinical program of its flagship shelter "A Better Way Home."
Respected Colleagues
I am writing to respectfully seek your endorsement for my candidacy as APA President-Elect. The understanding of culture, ethnicity, race, and the lived experiences of historically marginalized communities—has long been a guiding force in my own work as a clinician with lived experiences, researcher, and global advocate.
As a first-generation immigrant from India, I grew up immersed in a deeply multicultural environment, moving from state to state as the youngest daughter of an Indian Army officer. I was trained in both Eastern and Western psychological frameworks—earning my graduate degree and completing a rigorous internship at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), followed by doctoral work at Vanderbilt University in the U.S. There, I encountered the realities of working with marginalized African American youth in the juvenile justice system—an experience that shifted my life’s work toward intersectionality, systems advocacy, and trauma recovery.
Over the past 35 years, I have worked at the nexus of culture, trauma, and inequality. My practice has spanned racial justice, foster care, human trafficking, and sexual assault. I have trained clinicians in Mongolia, created culturally grounded programs for Indian adoptees, developed tools to identify trafficking survivors in Ukraine, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, and consulted on trauma systems across four continents.
But perhaps what grounds me most is the work I do today. Since 2020, I have led a therapeutic residential shelter in Indiana for women and children escaping sex trafficking and sexual violence. We have rehabilitated 76 homeless families to date, with more waiting. This shelter is not just a program—it is a living model of community resilience, survivor-led healing, and culturally responsive psychological care. We will soon expand to an 8-bedroom facility, thanks to our local Mayor and community leaders.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked to support the next generation of psychologists—particularly BIPOC, immigrant, and multilingual clinicians. I have mentored doctoral students, trained peer-survivors to become trauma coaches, authored a book and chapter about enculturation within the United States, and advocated for inclusive, anti-racist policies at the UN, where I serve as President of the Psychology Coalition (PCUN). As a past president of Division 12 and a State Psychology Association, I’ve pushed for bridging science and sociocultural justice, especially in national and global contexts often ignored by mainstream psychology.
If elected APA President, I will champion priorities: building a diverse pipeline of psychologists, embedding anti-racism in all areas of our field, and supporting multicultural, community-based research that transforms lives. I would be deeply honored to speak with Executive Committee of your division or SPTA or Caucus and learn more about your current initiatives so I can represent your voice in shaping the future of APA/APASi.
With deep respect and in solidarity,
Kalyani Gopal, PhD, HSPP
Dr. Gopal champions an evidence-based and holistic approach to healthcare, with respect of all cultures, considering all aspects of your health. She believes that mental, emotional, and physical health are interconnected and intersectional with housing, food insecurities, poverty, race and cultural beliefs as cornerstones of healing
Dr. Gopal's commitment is to provide the highest quality healthcare services to our patients while ensuring their comfort and satisfaction with our services. We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere and to foster long-term relationships with our patients and their families.