A woman in a white dress and two young girls in light-colored dresses running and playing on a beach near the ocean at sunset.

MEET DR. CARISSA GUSTAFSON:

Your guide to building a full, meaningful (but messy) motherhood

Specialized, evidence-based therapy for women navigating pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, and pregnancy loss.

GET TO KNOW DR. CARISSA:

A woman and three young girls walking along the shoreline of a beach with rocky formations and an arch in the background, all dressed in light-colored clothing.

CREDENTIALS AND BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE:

As a licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles, I specialize in maternal mental health and reproductive psychology.

I support women navigating pregnancy, postpartum, infertility and reproductive challenges, as well as pregnancy and reproductive loss.

I am Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) and have advanced training perinatal mental health psychotherapy as well as additional training in pregnancy and infant loss through Postpartum Support International (PSI), along with mental health certification through the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). My work is grounded in providing compassionate, evidence-based care across the full spectrum of reproductive and maternal mental health experiences.

As the author of Reclaim Your Life: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 7 Weeks, I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my clinical work to help clients develop a more flexible relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions while building lives that reflect their values.

I have provided professional trainings on the use of ACT for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) for Praxis, Cedars-Sinai, the American Psychological Association (APA), and PESI. I have also presented on this topic at the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) conference, reflecting my commitment to advancing clinician education in maternal mental health.

I provide therapy online throughout California. I am also a founding therapist at Lavela, an online therapy platform serving clients across California that specializes in reproductive loss.

In addition to my clinical work, I have served as an Adjunct Professor and Adjunct Clinical Faculty member at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology where I received my Doctor of Psychology (PsD).

A large rock formation on a sandy beach by the ocean during cloudy weather.

A woman with blonde hair in a white sleeveless dress smiling on a beach with the ocean in the background.

MY APPROACH:

My approach is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based therapy.

ACT helps people develop a new relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions while moving toward the life they want to live.

Rather than trying to eliminate painful experiences, therapy focuses on creating space for them while helping you reconnect with what matters most.

Therapy with me is collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded in the belief that painful experiences are a natural part of being human. Together, we work to help you meet these experiences with greater presence and compassion.

A pregnant woman in a white dress, standing on the beach near large rock formations during sunset, gently holding her belly and smiling.

HOW I GOT HERE:

I believe healing begins when we learn to meet our pain with presence and compassion.

After the birth of my first daughter, I experienced a traumatic birth and a deeply difficult postpartum period. I remember feeling overwhelmed, questioning whether we had made a mistake becoming parents, and wondering how we would care for this tiny human who depended on us.

In the years that followed, my husband and I experienced a series of pregnancy losses, which further deepened my understanding of the emotional complexity of becoming a parent. When our rainbow baby arrived exactly one year after the date of our most significant loss, it felt like a full-circle moment.

These experiences profoundly shaped me and strengthened my commitment to supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, and loss—helping them navigate these tender seasons with greater compassion, resilience, and support.

Kind Words from Peers & Colleagues

Exceptionally skilled

“Dr. Gustafson is one of my favorite psychologists to refer clients to. She is an exceptionally skilled psychologist who provides personalized, thoughtful evidence-based care (she literally wrote the book on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy!) that is infused with warmth as well as her own experiences as a mother. Not only do our shared clients express how positive their experiences have been with Dr. Gustafson, but it is evident in how their mental health and functioning improve as a result of her remarkable skill.”
— Dr. Brittany Booth, Reproductive Psychiatrist
Warm & Compassionate

Dr. Carissa Gustafson brings exceptional warmth, clinical insight, and steadiness to her work. Her expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and perinatal mental health allows her to help clients navigate anxiety, identity shifts, and the many emotional complexities that can arise in pregnancy and early parenthood. I confidently refer my clients to Dr. Gustafson, knowing they will receive thoughtful, compassionate, and highly skilled care. She is a trusted colleague and an outstanding clinician.
— Dr. Nina Polyne, Psychologist
Hardworking & Dedicated

“Dr. Carissa Gustafson is a hardworking and dedicated psychologist, colleague and professional. She is up-to-date on her treatment modalities, and undoubtedly does great work with her clients using those modalities. Dr. Gustafson puts a lot of thought into not just her clinical work, but also all of the other work she does as a professional including teaching her students, working on her published book, and advocating for others. Dr. Gustafson has a strong clinical skill set and has been a great partner to work with on projects and as a colleague.”
— Dr. Annie Vavaryan, Psychologist

Peek Into My World…

Family of four on a beach during sunset, with a man, woman, and two young girls smiling and sitting on the sand.

Two young girls in matching navy velvet dresses hugging each other on a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background.

A man with a beard carrying a young girl on his shoulders at the beach, both smiling and enjoying the moment during sunset.

Mom Life

I’m a mom to two young daughters, which means my life is filled with dance parties, snack negotiations, and lots of reminders that perfection isn’t required to be a good parent.

Disneyland Magic

Disneyland has a special place in our family routine. Watching the joy and wonder through my daughters’ eyes is one of my favorite reminders to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Beach Days

Living in Southern California, I love spending time near the ocean whenever I can. The beach is one of my favorite places to reset and reconnect.

Yoga

Yoga has been an important practice in my life for many years. It’s one of the ways I stay grounded and bring more presence and compassion into my day-to-day life.

Mexican Food & Margaritas

Give me good Mexican food, and a margarita and I’m very happy.

"Sometimes the heart must break in order to open."

— Sharon Salzberg

SERVICES & OFFERINGS

Your guide to building a full, meaningful (but messy) motherhood

GET TO KNOW DR. CARISSA:

As a licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles, I specialize in maternal mental health and reproductive psychology.

My approach is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based therapy.

Rather than trying to eliminate painful experiences, therapy focuses on creating space for them while helping you reconnect with what matters most.

I believe healing begins when we learn to meet our pain with presence and compassion.

Exceptionally skilled

Warm & Compassionate

Hardworking & Dedicated