Hello!

I'm Calle!

My Background

I'm Dr. Calle Pierson, an 8th-generation Oregonian born and raised in Clackamas County. I moved to Seattle to earn my undergraduate degree in psychology from Seattle University. During that time, I also lived in Austria, studying Personality Theorists like Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, and Viktor Frankl. Post-graduation, I relocated to southern Georgia to be with my partner, who was in the United States Air Force, and I joined AmeriCorps VISTA, working with the Boys and Girls Club and the Oregon National Guard.

While pursuing my graduate education, I gained diverse experience working in both community mental health clinics and academic environments, including colleges and JobCorps. I also volunteered in various roles within the academic and mental health sectors, such as serving on the College of Health Professions Appeal Subcommittee and as a Class Monitor at the 2015 APA Conference. I completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship in health psychology at the University of Idaho, specializing in crisis intervention and risk management, and did my post-doctoral residency at the University of Portland. I became a licensed psychologist in 2020.

My Approach

As a therapist, I strongly believe in collaboration between therapist and client and that the client is the expert on the topic of their own life. It is my goal to help you feel comfortable and confident in your life and help you obtain your goals. I am an integrated cognitive behavioral therapist and use tools, skills, and information from a variety of theoretical orientations. I was originally trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and I also use tools and skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), as well as other methods, such as self-compassion, psychoeducation, EMDR, hypnotherapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT). I am also a Certified Crisis Specialist through the American Association of Suicidology.

I am also heavily influenced by the work of Viktor Frankl. Predominantly by his belief that we cannot always change our circumstances, but that we are in control of ourselves and how we choose to address both successes and challenges. This is a lens I use often in therapy and encourage clients to consider what values drive their behavior as well as how they can look at challenges from different angles to find solutions.

As a generalist, I have experience in a broad range of psychological presentations and concerns. This includes concerns related to depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidal, homicidal and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, as well as chronic medical conditions. As an individual who lives with chronic illness and chronic pain conditions myself, I can understand the frustrations and barriers medical experiences can bring. My overall goal as a therapist is to support you via exploring your values and goals and help create a path forward that honors both your lived experience as well as your hopes and dreams.

Professional Licenses, Memberships & Publications

Professional Licenses & Certifications

Oregon #3204

Washington state PY61395694

Idaho 4971260 (telehealth only)

Certified Crisis Specialist (American Association of Suicidology - expires 2027)

Professional Memberships

American Psychological Association

Oregon Psychological Association

Washington State Psychological Association

American Association of Suicidology

Publications & Workshops

Pierson, C., Nichols, A., & Blanco, K. (2019, April). Finding Wonder Woman. Oral presentation to attendees at the 2019 Women’s Leadership Conference. Moscow, Idaho.

Pierson, C., Lane, J., & Michael, P. (2017, May). Caregiver burden, self-perceptions, & aging. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Oregon Psychological Association, Eugene, OR.

Lee, M. & Pierson, C. (2017, May). Problem Solving, Coping with Stress, and Interpersonal Effectiveness in Tutoring. Oral presentation to tutoring staff at Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, OR.

Pierson, C. (2017, March). The Diversity Talk. Oral presentation to Psychology 101, Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, OR.

Kline, D., Lee, M., & Pierson, C. (2017, February). Problem-Focused and Solution-Focused

Coping. Oral presentation to Staff at Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, OR.

Pierson, C. (November, 2016) The Development and Impact of Values on the Self and the Community. Oral presentation to Humanities 160, Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, OR.

Pierson, C., & Schaefer, S. (2016, September). Time Management. Oral presentation to Administration and Support Staff at Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, OR.

Pierson, C. & Vladagina, V. (2016, July). Depression & Older Adults. Oral presentation to Washington County Disability and Aging Services staff. Hillsboro, OR.

Elberts, R., Ehlers, K., Lis, P., & Pierson, C. (2015, November). Depression & Elders.

Oral presentation to the Alzheimer’s Association – Oregon Chapter, Portland, OR.

Bacon, K., Pierson, C., & Vladagina, V. (2015, December). The Case of “Jazz”: An ACT

Perspective. Oral presentation given at Pacific University’s Clinical Grand Rounds, Portland, OR.