Why I Use ACT for Maternal Mental Health: A Different Approach to Pregnancy and Postpartum
Looking for Relief—But Needing Something Deeper
When people seek out perinatal therapy in California, they are often looking for relief.
Relief from:
Anxiety
Intrusive thoughts
Overwhelm
Guilt
Grief
And while relief matters, my goal is something deeper.
I help you build the capacity to relate to your thoughts and emotions differently, so you can show up as the parent you want to be—even when things feel hard.
That’s why I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
What Is ACT—and Why It Matters in Motherhood
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), developed by Steven C. Hayes and colleagues, is an evidence-based approach that focuses on:
Changing your relationship to thoughts and emotions
Making space for difficult internal experiences
Taking action aligned with your values
ACT is especially powerful in pregnancy and postpartum because so much is outside of your control.
You cannot fully control:
Your thoughts
Your emotions
Your baby
Your circumstances
And when we try to control these things, we often end up feeling more overwhelmed—not less.
ACT offers another way.
The Six Core ACT Processes in Motherhood
1. Acceptance
Motherhood often involves unexpected grief—what I sometimes refer to as “mom grief.”
This may include:
The experience you thought you would have
The version of yourself you expected to be
Acceptance means acknowledging what is present, rather than constantly trying to fight or eliminate it.
2. Cognitive Defusion (Unhooking from Thoughts)
You may notice thoughts like:
“I’m a bad mom”
“I’m failing”
“I should be doing this differently”
ACT helps you step back and notice:
“I’m having the thought that I’m failing.”
This subtle shift creates space between you and your thoughts—so they have less power over your behavior.
3. Present-Moment Awareness (Mindfulness)
Motherhood often pulls you into:
The past (“What went wrong?”)
The future (“What if something happens?”)
Mindfulness brings you back to the present moment.
Even in:
Sleepless nights
Overwhelm
Small moments of connection
4. Self-as-Context
You are not your thoughts.
You are not your emotions.
You are the part of you that can observe them.
Even in your hardest moments, there is a stable, observing part of you that remains.
5. Values
Motherhood often reshapes what matters most.
ACT helps you clarify:
What kind of parent you want to be
What matters to you beyond motherhood
How you want to show up in your relationships
Values are not goals—they are directions.
6. Committed Action
ACT is not just about insight—it’s about action.
You take small, meaningful steps aligned with your values, even when it’s uncomfortable.
You don’t need to feel ready.
You don’t need to get it “right.”
You just keep showing up.
A Different Way to Approach Maternal Mental Health
ACT does not ask you to eliminate anxiety, guilt, or overwhelm.
Instead, it helps you:
Make space for these experiences
Stop being controlled by them
Continue moving toward what matters
This is what builds psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present, open, and engaged, even in difficult moments.
Why This Matters in Pregnancy and Postpartum
In the perinatal period, many individuals feel like something is wrong because:
They’re anxious
They’re having intrusive thoughts
They’re not enjoying every moment
They feel overwhelmed
But often, nothing is wrong.
Your experience makes sense in context.
Working with a perinatal therapist in California who uses ACT means:
You don’t have to get rid of your thoughts to feel better
You don’t have to wait to feel better to start living
You can build a meaningful life—even with discomfort present
Support & Resources
If you’re struggling during pregnancy or postpartum, support is available:
Postpartum Support International
Helpline: 1-800-944-4773 (EN/ES)National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (24/7): 1-833-852-6262
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected during pregnancy or postpartum:
You don’t have to navigate this alone.
I offer ACT-based perinatal therapy in California, supporting individuals through pregnancy, postpartum, infertility, and reproductive loss—both online and in-person in Pasadena.
I invite you to reach out through my contact page to learn more about working together.
I’m Dr. Carissa Gustafson; licensed clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles
Using evidence-based therapy, I can help you bring presence to pain and find peace on your pregnancy and postpartum journey.