Christopher Walling

Background

About Christopher Walling

I’m a board-certified psychoanalyst, somatic psychologist, and organizational leader with 20 + years at the intersection of clinical practice, academic leadership, and research innovation. As Associate Professor and former Faculty Chair in the Department of Somatic Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), I merge psychoanalysis, embodiment, and transpersonal theory—helping shape the next generation of clinician-scholars. In private practice in Brentwood, Los Angeles, I integrate depth-oriented psychoanalysis with evidence-based somatic and neurobiological approaches to trauma, sexuality, and affect regulation. My research and publications explore embodied intersubjectivity, mutual recognition, and the neurophysiology of therapeutic change. Holding an MBA alongside my PsyD, I translate clinical insight into strategic leadership. I’ve served on national boards and advisory committees, led multi-disciplinary teams, and secured grants for curriculum development and community-based research. Whether guiding doctoral candidates, presenting at international conferences, or developing inclusive training standards, I focus on cultivating embodied wisdom, scientific rigor, and social impact. If you’re interested in collaborative research, innovative pedagogies, or advancing embodied mental-health, let’s connect.