Kalpa Bhattacharjee, Psy.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

I bring a multidimensional background into my work as a psychologist. My previous studies in music performance and literature and my work as a professional musician taught me the power of deep listening, creative expression, and attunement, practices that serve me well as a psychologist. Later, my original research in the fields of developmental psychology, cultural psychology, and the psychophysiology of mood disorders informed my approach to psychotherapy. This approach is based on the belief that lasting change happens in the context of a trusting relationship with an emotionally attuned therapist, who can witness your experience with care and curiosity, and help you make meaning of what has been difficult to face alone.

My approach is depth-oriented, relational, and culturally attuned. It’s a collaborative, unfolding process of slowing down, listening closely to what’s been buried or overlooked, and beginning to relate to your experiences and yourself in a new way.

My work is grounded in a culturally sensitive approach that honors your unique inner life while also recognizing the profound effects of societal and systemic forces on your psyche and lived experience. My style is warm, grounded, and collaborative. I offer a deeply attentive space where your inner world is heard and held with care. Through gentle but thoughtful exploration, we slowly uncover the feelings, conflicts, and ambivalences that often lie beneath the surface. Together, we name the patterns that might be limiting you, working steadily and patiently to help you feel better, gain more self-understanding, and have more choice in how you live your life.

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area to parents who immigrated to the US from India, I learned to navigate the world and relationships in two cultures. Fluent in Bengali while having grown up in California, I understand, both personally and professionally, the complexities of bicultural identity, cultural loss, and the longing to belong. I bring curiosity, humility, and a deep respect for the historical, familial, and societal forces that shape who we are, especially for those whose experiences have been marginalized or silenced.

Education:

B.S. in Psychobiology and B.A. in English Literature, UCLA

Graduate Studies in Vocal Performance, San Francisco Conservatory of Music

M.A. in Experimental Psychology, Wake Forest University

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, PAU-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium