Physician Spotlight 5: Dr. Vicki Kalira

Physician Spotlight

In today’s physician spotlight we highlight Dr. Vicki Kalira. Dr. Vicki Kalira is a talented psychiatrist who is board certified in both Addiction and General Psychiatry.

She has robust experience working in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Her multifaceted clinical approach incorporates medication, psychotherapy, nutrition, physical movement and social engagement at different stages of treatment, always focusing on self-compassion. Dr. Vicki Kalira’s approach tailors to each individual patient, is goal-oriented, flexible, and integrative.

About Dr. Vicki Kalira

Dr. Vicki Kalira completed medical school at West Virginia University and her psychiatry residency at Johns Hopkins University. After completing a one-year addiction psychiatry fellowship at New York University (NYU), she supported hospitalized patients at NYU-Tisch Hospital as a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatrist.

Here, her focus centered around providing care to patients with complex medical and psychiatric comorbidities who were experiencing acute intoxication or withdrawal states. Dr. Vicki Kalira then transitioned to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) where she still provides crucial psychiatric support.

As part of her well-rounded education and experience, Dr. Vicki Kalira has completed a two-year psychodynamic psychotherapy training program while at NYU, a Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (an evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD), and has obtained a certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. 

Dr. Kalira is now the Acting Medical Director for Addiction Recovery Treatment Services at the VA Northern California Health Care System. She cares for veterans in an outpatient setting, while also offering consultation and support to veterans in transitions of care from inpatient to residential to outpatient services.

She is consulted daily to aid in the care of veterans throughout the vast healthcare system, managing cultural and resource differences in urban versus rural areas. She also provides coverage on the inpatient psychiatric unit several times a year.

Dr. Kalira has recently obtained a number of certifications. She is certified in Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation, an evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD. In addition, she completed a one-year program and obtained a certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.

She is currently being trained in Qi Gong and will be completing the MDMA Therapy Training Program through MAPS in 2023. She also focuses on community outreach, and is currently advocating for the therapeutic use of psilocybin in Oregon.

Scheduling with Dr. Vicki Kalira

Dr. Vicki Kalira is accepting patients! Her schedule will be open on Monday to Thursday from 7 to 8pm. We are thrilled to be able to work with such a skilled, caring doctor.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Vicki Kalira, please visit our website at Mental Health Center or contact our front office at (310) 601-9999.