Research Interests

Psychoanalysis and Embodied Intersubjectivity

Somatic Approaches to Mental Health

Sexuality, Relational Intimacy and Bonding

Transpersonal Psychology and Integrative Mental Health

Biography

Christopher G. Walling, PsyD, MBA, is a psychoanalyst, licensed clinical psychologist, educator, and scholar whose work bridges psychoanalysis, somatic psychology, sexuality studies, contemplative practice, and the science of human flourishing. He is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Research Psychology in the School of Consciousness and Transformation at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where he leads doctoral education and research in somatic, transpersonal, and integrative psychologies. He also serves as Clinical Director of Soma Psychological Services and maintains a clinical and consulting practice in Los Angeles.

Dr. Walling is a Fellow of the American Board of Psychoanalysis and the International Psychoanalytic Association and is a Clinical Research Fellow with the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. His scholarship explores embodied intersubjectivity, affect regulation, sexuality, trauma, relational psychoanalysis, contemplative psychology, and integrative approaches to mental health and aging. Drawing from psychoanalysis, neuroscience, phenomenology, and somatic psychotherapy, his work investigates how the body shapes emotional life, identity, desire, resilience, and human connection.

Known for translating complex psychological ideas into accessible public conversations, Dr. Walling has lectured nationally and internationally for organizations including the American Psychoanalytic Association, the Kinsey Institute, the European Association for Body Psychotherapy, and the American Psychological Association. His speaking and writing frequently address themes of embodiment, intimacy, sexuality, trauma recovery, emotional regulation, consciousness, and the future of integrative mental health care.

A former president of the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy, Dr. Walling has held leadership roles across psychoanalytic, somatic, and contemplative education communities. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at California Institute of Integral Studies and is faculty and board leadership at the New Center for Psychoanalysis. His work has contributed to advancing contemporary dialogue between psychoanalysis, body-based psychotherapy, sexology, neuroscience, and transpersonal psychology.

Dr. Walling's publications and presentations span topics including embodied psychoanalysis, trauma and autonomic regulation, sexuality and culture, contemplative neuroscience, environmental wellness, and healthy aging. His recent projects include collaborative work on embodied intersubjectivity and psychoanalysis, integrative approaches to sexuality research, and emerging frameworks linking environmental health, cognition, and psychospiritual well-being. He is also recognized for his public humanities work, including curating conversations and exhibitions that bring psychoanalysis, sexuality, and embodied experience into broader cultural dialogue. In 2026, Dr. Walling was honored as the recipient of the Ernst and Gertrude Ticho Memorial Award from the American Psychoanalytic Association in recognition of his contributions to psychoanalysis and contemporary clinical thought.

Awards & Distinctions

Grant and Funding

Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation Research Psychology Chair Grant. (2025). Role: Research Psychology Chair. Purpose: Advancement of integral-transpersonal and somatic psychology research.

Wexler Faculty Innovation Award, California Institute of Integral Studies. (2025). Project: Desire on the Couch — Exhibition.

Editorial and Journal Service

Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Editorial Board, Peer Reviewer. (2026–present).

Frontiers in Psychology, Editor, "Embodied Approaches to Intervention and Research Design in Clinical Psychology" Series. (2026–present).

Gender and Sexuality Editor, Editorial Board, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, Sage Journals. (2026–present).

International Psychoanalytic Association Journal Club, Co-Chair. (2025–present).

Courses

Dissertation Proposal Development

Spiritual Traditions of Embodied Practice

Fractal Epistemology in Somatic and Transpersonal Psychology

Further Reaches of Somatic Psychology

Integral, Transpersonal, and Embodied Pedagogy

Embodied Phenomenology

Residential Intensive

Dissertation Proposal Completion

Publications

Book Chapters and Manuscripts

Walling, C. G. (2026). Transpersonal approaches to gerontology: Integrative pathways to meaning and transformation. In G. Hartelius, J. Wade, & H. Friedman (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Transpersonal Psychology (2nd ed.).

Journal Articles and Scholarly Publications

Ashtor, G., & Walling, C. G. (2026). Beyond the dyad: Growth, multiplicity and the polyamorous subject. Manuscript in preparation.

Walling, C. G., & Benjamin, J. (2026). Embodied intersubjectivity. Manuscript in preparation.

Khalsa, D., Lavretsky, H., Reddy, M., Fenn, A., & Walling, C. (2025). Air pollution and Alzheimer's disease prevention: The science and a prevention plan. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Jokic, B., Walling, C. G., Porges, S., et al. (2022). Association of childhood maltreatment with adult body awareness and autonomic reactivity: The moderating effect of practicing body psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 59(4), 499–510.

Walling, C. G. (2019). The Brain Longevity Therapy Training Program. Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation, Volume One.

Walling, C. G. (2010). Organizational dynamics in finance and administration in academic medical centers. ACMPE Executive View.

Book Reviews

Walling, C. G. (2024). Review of Body Psychotherapy: A Theoretical Foundation for Clinical Practice. International Body Psychotherapy Journal, 22(2).

Walling, C. G. (2020). Review of Body Psychotherapy in the 21st Century. International Body Psychotherapy Journal, 19(2).

Walling, C. G. (2019). Review of The Handbook of Body Psychotherapy and Somatic Psychology. International Body Psychotherapy Journal, 18(1).

Walling, C. G. (2019). Review of Yoga for Mental Health. Yoga Therapy Today Magazine.

Popular Press Articles

Walling, C. G. (2017). Psychotherapy for your body: The role of somatic psychology today. GoodTherapy.org.

Walling, C. G. (2018). United States Association for Body Psychotherapy update. Somatic Psychotherapy Today, 7(4).

Walling, C. G. (2017). Four tips to making changes toward a new you. GoodTherapy.org.

Walling, C. G. (2013). Stress and burnout. Personal Excellence Essentials Magazine, HR.com, 18(11).

Walling, C. G. (2013). Five daily lifestyle practices to reduce stress and burnout. St. Louis County Legal Ledger.

Walling, C. G. (2013). Appreciative inquiry. Canadian Manager Magazine.

Media and Public Scholarship

McMilan, A. (2026, January 29). Desire exhibition explores sex, intimacy, and identity through art and research. San Francisco Examiner.

Quoted in Your Last First Date by Jay Samuels Kuba. (2026). Simon & Schuster.

Quoted in Love by Design: A New Paradigm for Lasting Intimacy by Sara Nasserzadeh. (2024). HarperCollins.

Featured Guest, Psychoanalysis and You Podcast, American Psychoanalytic Association, Episode 9: Does Living Through Difficult Times Impact Our Bodies? (2024).

Panelist: Ask a Sexologist, with the Kinsey Institute. World Erotic Art Museum, Miami, FL. (2023).

Panelist: Sex in the 21st Century. Kinsey Institute 75th Anniversary, Los Angeles, CA. (2022).

Featured Guest, Shrink Rap Radio, Episode #605: Body Psychotherapy Today with Dr. Chris Walling. (2022).

Featured Guest, ChitHeads with Jacob Kyle, An Embodied Philosophy Podcast, Episode #119: On Yoga Therapy Research. (2020).