Dr. Carissa Gustafson

I’m Dr. Carissa Gustafson, a licensed clinical psychologist in California specializing in maternal mental health and reproductive psychology. I support women navigating pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, reproductive challenges, and pregnancy or infant loss. I am Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International and have advanced training in reproductive mental health and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

My practice focuses on helping high-achieving, thoughtful women who may look like they’re coping on the outside while struggling internally with anxiety, overwhelm, perfectionism, intrusive thoughts, identity shifts, grief, or burnout. I provide a warm, collaborative, evidence-based space where clients can feel understood without judgment.

My approach is warm, compassionate, collaborative, and evidence-based. I primarily use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps clients develop a healthier relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions while reconnecting with what matters most to them.

Rather than trying to “get rid of” anxiety, sadness, intrusive thoughts, or uncertainty, we work on building psychological flexibility so you can respond to challenges with greater self-compassion, presence, and resilience.

I also integrate mindfulness, self-compassion, emotion regulation, and cognitive-behavioral strategies when helpful. My work often focuses on pregnancy and postpartum anxiety, PMADs, infertility, reproductive trauma and loss, perfectionism, relationship stress, identity changes in motherhood, and the mental load many women carry.

My goal is to help clients feel more grounded, supported, and able to move toward a meaningful, values-aligned life — even during difficult seasons.

The first session is a supportive, nonjudgmental space to begin understanding what you’re going through and what you hope will feel different. We’ll talk about your current concerns, emotional experiences, relationships, stressors, history, and goals for therapy at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Many clients come in feeling overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally exhausted, or unsure of where to start. You do not need to have everything figured out before beginning therapy.

My goal in the first session is to help you feel heard, understood, and less alone while beginning to identify patterns, strengths, and practical ways we can work together to support your mental health and overall well-being.