Dr. Kalyani Gopal
Brief Biographical Sketch
As an 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. At Vanderbilt, I worked closely with marginalized African American youth in the juvenile justice system. That experience transformed my life’s work toward intersectionality, trauma recovery, and systems advocacy, emphasizing the importance of breaking generational trauma.
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, hosted four international conferences, ran a crisis hotline during COVID-19, 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 over 70 homeless families, with more waiting. This shelter is not just a program - it is a living model of a resilient community ecosystem, survivor-led healing, psychological resilience, and culturally responsive psychological care, incorporating brain-based parenting strategies and emotional regulation for parents. We will soon expand to a 10-bedroom facility, thanks to our local Mayor and community leaders.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked to support the next generation of psychologists, uplift survivors of gender-based violence, particularly BIPOC, immigrant, and multilingual clinicians. I have mentored doctoral students, trained peer-survivors to become trauma coaches, authored a book and chapters 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 of Accredited NGOs at the United Nations (PCUN psychologycoalitionun.org). As a past president of Division 12 and Illinois Psychological Association, I’ve pushed for bridging science and sociocultural justice, especially in national and global contexts often ignored by mainstream psychology, while also emphasizing the significance of reparenting yourself in the healing journey.
My daughter, Dr. Shifali Singh, a licensed clinical psychologist and Director of the Digital Neuropsychology and Brain Health Laboratory at Harvard's McLean Hospital, has always inspired my leadership in psychology. Now, with her own newborn daughter, they fuel my purpose to uplift women and humanity across generations through trauma-informed parenting.
With deep respect and in solidarity,
Kalyani Gopal, PhD, HSPP
Advocacy: Champion for Human Rights
From her early days as an 18-year-old collecting data on exploited female teens incarcerated in New Delhi, India, Dr. Gopal has been deeply committed to human rights and the dignity of all individuals to live as free persons. Over a career spanning more than 35 years, she has advocated for gender-based victims’ rights, women’s reproductive justice, and has focused on breaking generational trauma through initiatives supporting boys and child sexual abuse survivors, refugees' rehabilitation, and anti-slavery efforts against male labor trafficking. In her work, she emphasizes trauma-informed parenting and emotional regulation for parents, providing training to governments, judges, FBI agents, administrators, advocates, and clinicians across four continents on trauma-responsive assessments and interventions. Her approach integrates brain-based parenting strategies and encourages individuals to reparent yourself while fostering an environment for healing and resilience.
Advocacy: Champion for Human Rights
REGION ANGEL PODCAST, WJOB 1230 AM WITH KRISTINA CUPP
2026
Advocacy: Champion for Human Rights
DR VGP TALK SHOW
2025
Powerful, innovative, and compassionate Leadership
Championing Resilience and Innovation
Building Clinical Practice
Reimagining Governance and Policy
Investing in Training
Developing Global Outreach
Growing Resilience
Elevating Social Justice
At this pivotal moment—marked by technological upheaval, political polarization, climate change, and a sweeping mental health crisis—psychological science has never been more essential. Dr. Gopal understands the urgent need to balance academic excellence with greater accountability, application, accessibility, and inclusion across settings and communities. She emphasizes the importance of brain-based parenting strategies and emotional regulation for parents to help break generational trauma and promote healing.
Dr. Gopal has held leadership roles in psychology at every level: globally as president of the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations, nationally as president of APA’s Division 12, and locally as president of the Illinois Psychological Association. As a leader, she has witnessed how psychology shapes policy, promotes innovation, and fosters global healing. This year, we proudly host the first Psychologists’ Youth Mental Health Global Summit at the UN, focusing on trauma-informed parenting and the importance of reparenting yourself for better mental health outcomes.
An award-winning keynote speaker and international trainer, Dr. Gopal specializes in foster care and adoption, human trafficking, child sexual abuse, Autism Spectrum and neurodevelopmental disorders, and psychopathology. She began her doctoral studies at Vanderbilt University, Tennessee, and received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant University, San Diego, California.
Positions
Dr. Gopal has extensive and in-depth experience in the governance of Psychological Associations, focusing on innovative approaches such as brain-based parenting strategies and emotional regulation for parents.
2019: At the SPTA Level, Dr. Gopal served as the President of the Illinois Psychological Association, where she oversaw 30 board members and hosted the association for the APA Convention in Illinois, emphasizing the importance of breaking generational trauma in community workshops.
2020: Opened and Ran a 10-channel COVID-19 hotline - ROAR to reach isolated elders, new moms, kids at risk, youth in danger, disabled, frightened families, and first responders desperate for help.
2022: At the National/Division Level, she became the President of Division 12, Society of Clinical Psychology, promoting trauma-informed parenting techniques to support families.
2023: She was appointed as a Commissioner for the Committee on Accreditation (CoA) of master's and doctoral level psychology programs, where he advocates for reparenting yourself as a means to foster resilience in future generations.
2024-2026; 2026-2028: On a Global Level, Dr. Gopal serves a second term as the President of the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations, which includes APA as part of the Coalition representing Europe, Asia, Africa, MENA, AUS/NZ and the Americas, working towards integrating effective parenting strategies across cultures.
Current Positions:
President, Mid-America Psychological and Counseling Services, PC, Indiana.
President/Founder, SAFE Coalition for Human Rights, IL, IN, an accredited NGO with the ECOSOC, United Nations, dedicated to promoting safety and support for survivors and their families.
President, Psychology Coalition at the United Nations, fostering collaboration among diverse regions to enhance understanding of psychological practices.
Experienced Mental Health Clinician, Researcher, and Academic & Human Rights Champion
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, particularly in areas like breaking generational trauma and implementing brain-based parenting strategies. However, the field must also evolve. I understand the growing needs of psychologists across various careers and settings, especially in providing emotional regulation for parents and promoting trauma-informed parenting. I recognize the importance of maintaining high academic standards while making our field more accessible and inclusive, which includes the vital practice of reparenting yourself.
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.
Researcher, Writer, Creator
STRONG ROOTS, SAFE WINGS
You didn't get the childhood you deserved. And now you're raising a child while quietly carrying wounds you were never given the tools to heal.
Strong Roots, Safe Wings is for the parent who is trying so hard — and who suspects that trying harder isn't the answer.
This is not a book about being a better parent. It's about becoming a safer one. Grounded in neuroscience, attachment science, and ACEs research, this illustrated reparenting workbook helps you understand why certain moments send you sideways — and gives you a compassionate, evidence-based path back to yourself.
You are not broken. You are responding to what happened to you. And with the right support, the cycle ends with you.
When parents heal, children feel safe.
When children feel safe, they grow strong wings.
Education
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. Began Ph.D. (Psychology) 09/86 - 08/88, focusing on emotional regulation for parents and exploring brain based parenting strategies to help individuals in breaking generational trauma. Alliant University, San Diego, California (Completed Ph.D., Clinical Psychology) 09/88 - 06/91, where I further deepened my understanding of reparenting yourself and trauma informed parenting.
Additional Qualifications
I hold a B.A. in Psychology from Delhi University, followed by an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the same institution. I further pursued an M.Phil. in Medical and Social Psychology, where I focused on brain-based parenting strategies and emotional regulation for parents. My education was complemented by training at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), where I explored trauma-informed parenting and techniques for breaking generational trauma, emphasizing the importance of reparenting yourself.
Psychology Licenses
Licensed Clinical Psychologist # 20041200A. State of Indiana, specializing in brain-based parenting strategies and breaking generational trauma. Licensed Clinical Psychologist # 071-0005629. State of Illinois, offering guidance in emotional regulation for parents and reparenting yourself through trauma-informed parenting.
Certifications
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.
In my practice, I focus on brain-based parenting strategies to help clients break generational trauma. I provide guidance on emotional regulation for parents, emphasizing the importance of reparenting yourself to foster a nurturing environment. Additionally, I incorporate trauma-informed parenting techniques to support families in overcoming challenges.
Empowering humanity
Championing multiculturalism
Psychologists can champion research that reflects the rich tapestry of human experience, including the importance of brain-based parenting strategies. To encourage culturally sensitive and globally relevant science, mental health experts need to invest in community-based participatory research and support international collaborations that involve researchers from the Global South, where 85% of humanity lives. We must promote evidence-based research addressing cultural context, language, migration, systemic oppression, and historical trauma, while also focusing on breaking generational trauma through effective emotional regulation for parents. Expanding mentorship for underrepresented scholars is crucial, requiring journals to evaluate cultural relevance in peer review. By embedding cultural humility into our training, ethics, and grantmaking, mental health practitioners ensure that psychological science not only is globally relevant but also strengthens by incorporating practices like reparenting yourself and trauma-informed parenting.
YouTube
Youtube Interviews
Get to Know Dr Gopal
In these insightful videos, you'll discover effective brain based parenting strategies that can help in breaking generational trauma. By focusing on emotional regulation for parents, these approaches emphasize the importance of reparenting yourself to foster healthier relationships with your children. Additionally, they highlight techniques for trauma informed parenting that can create a nurturing environment for families.
About Dr. Gopal
Experienced Nonprofit Leader
Dr. Gopal oversees the operations of two private practices with four clinics in Indiana. Mid-America Psychological & Counseling Services, PC provides a wide range of health services, including brain-based parenting strategies, to ensure that all of your healthcare needs are met. She is dedicated to breaking generational trauma through her work and offers support in emotional regulation for parents. Additionally, Dr. Gopal runs an award-winning NGO, SAFE Coalition for Human Rights, along with the clinical program of its flagship shelter, "A Better Way Home," which emphasizes the importance of reparenting yourself and trauma-informed parenting practices.
Books
Explore the links below to discover effective brain-based parenting strategies aimed at breaking generational trauma. These resources will provide valuable insights into emotional regulation for parents, helping you navigate the complexities of reparenting yourself while practicing trauma-informed parenting.
Books
Strong Roots, Safe Wings
Parenting Under Pressure (PUP) Program
OFFICIAL LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT 🌱
I’m honored to share something deeply personal and profoundly needed.
Strong Roots, Safe Wings is officially launching soon on Amazon.
This isn’t just another parenting book. It’s a healing companion for parents who are raising children while still carrying the weight of their own childhood experiences. Using brain-based parenting strategies, this workbook addresses the challenges of breaking generational trauma.
So many parents were taught to survive—not to feel safe. Now they’re trying to create calm, loving homes while their nervous systems are still stuck in stress mode. Research from the past few years confirms what parents already feel in their bodies: unresolved trauma increases parenting stress, emotional reactivity, and burnout. Yet, when parents learn emotional regulation for themselves, along with how to regulate, repair, and co-regulate, families begin to change—often within weeks.
This workbook was written for those parents.
💛 Strong Roots, Safe Wings gently guides parents, caregivers, and helping professionals through:
• Understanding how trauma and stress shape parenting reactions
• Regulating emotions before they spill over onto children
• Building safe attachment through both love and limits
• Seeing behavior as communication, not defiance
• Repairing ruptures and rebuilding trust
• Strengthening emotional resilience—for parent and child
Each chapter is simple, visual, and hands-on—designed so parents don’t feel overwhelmed or judged. This book doesn’t ask parents to be perfect; it helps them reparent themselves to become present, grounded, and connected.
✨ The workbook can also be used as a 6-week parenting program, making it ideal for families, community programs, shelters, clinics, and trauma-informed parenting professionals.
At its heart, this book carries a simple truth: When parents heal, children feel safer. When children feel safer, generations shift.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to place this resource into the hands of families who need hope—not pressure.
With gratitude,
Kalyani Gopal, PhD, HSPP
Psychology-based Initiatives
Clinical Practice Issues
Setting up a clinical practice involves understanding insurance reimbursement, particularly health insurance, while also focusing on managing day-to-day clinical practice effectively. In addition to management and liability issues, it’s important to engage in difficult conversations, especially when discussing brain-based parenting strate
Setting up a clinical practice involves understanding insurance reimbursement, particularly health insurance, while also focusing on managing day-to-day clinical practice effectively. In addition to management and liability issues, it’s important to engage in difficult conversations, especially when discussing brain-based parenting strategies. These strategies can play a crucial role in breaking generational trauma, as well as promoting emotional regulation for parents and the practice of reparenting yourself, which is essential in trauma-informed parenting.
Global Outreach
As an international trainer and educator on the psychology of survivors, I focus on brain-based parenting strategies that help in breaking generational trauma. I delivered a keynote address for the European Mental Health Summit in Paris, emphasizing the importance of emotional regulation for parents and the process of reparenting yourself
As an international trainer and educator on the psychology of survivors, I focus on brain-based parenting strategies that help in breaking generational trauma. I delivered a keynote address for the European Mental Health Summit in Paris, emphasizing the importance of emotional regulation for parents and the process of reparenting yourself. Additionally, I have trained 15 Country Experts and over 150,000 direct service providers in trauma-informed parenting practices.
Reproductive Justice
Reproductive Justice
Dr. Gopal champions an evidence-based and holistic approach to healthcare, respecting all cultures and 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. Throu
Dr. Gopal champions an evidence-based and holistic approach to healthcare, respecting all cultures and 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. Through her practice, she emphasizes brain-based parenting strategies and trauma-informed parenting to assist families in breaking generational trauma. By promoting emotional regulation for parents, she encourages individuals to reparent yourself and create a nurturing environment that fosters healing.
Academic Training
Uplifting the Global South
Reproductive Justice
Developed a BA/BS program for a private university in Indiana that emphasizes trauma-informed parenting and the importance of emotional regulation for parents. Taught an undergraduate class titled 'Psychology of Women,' where we explored topics like reparenting yourself and breaking generational trauma. Currently conducting academic resea
Developed a BA/BS program for a private university in Indiana that emphasizes trauma-informed parenting and the importance of emotional regulation for parents. Taught an undergraduate class titled 'Psychology of Women,' where we explored topics like reparenting yourself and breaking generational trauma. Currently conducting academic research on ACEs, focusing on brain-based parenting strategies to support healthy development.
Uplifting the Global South
Uplifting the Global South
Uplifting the Global South
Our Themes
