Calista is a fourth-year clinical psychology PhD student at Palo Alto University. Calista was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and earned her BA in Psychology at the University of British Columbia prior to arriving in the Bay Area to pursue her doctoral studies. Given her experiences balancing Western and Chinese cultures growing up, she is attuned to how culture influences the way mental health is experienced, and strives to provide the most inclusive environment possible for her clients.

Calista has had experience working with young adult to older-aged individuals who have experienced a variety of stressors including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, life transitions, and relationship problems from a person-centered, strengths-based framework.

Calista believes that each person has the capability to thrive, and is honored to help others achieve their goals and potential.

Beyond her work at Banyan Behavioral Health, Calista has had clinical training experiences at a community mental health clinic, university counselling center, and a residential addictions treatment facility. Her clinical style is culturally sensitive and integrative, meaning that she selects techniques from a range of treatment orientations like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to best suit each person's needs.

Outside of clinical work, Calista's research interests are in studying adults with mood disorders and developing digital interventions that help broaden access to mental health services. In her spare time, you can find her exploring what the Bay Area has to offer (like hiking and craft fairs!), trying out new coffee pods, and honing her embroidery skills.