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My name is Carissa Gustafson. I am a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of CA. As the author of Reclaim Your Life, I specialize in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which helps people learn skills, such as mindfulness and compassion, to handle difficult thoughts and feelings so they can find freedom from suffering and engage in their life. I have a special interest in working with high-achieving women who are struggling with stress, depression, anxiety, pregnancy/postpartum, and am perinatal mental health certified (PMH-C).
My approach
I strongly believe in evidence-based practice and specialize in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT helps people who are struggling with things like stress, depression, and anxiety, learn skills, such as mindfulness and compassion, to handle difficult thoughts and feelings so they can find freedom from suffering and engage in their life. Overall my approach will help you become, aware of your thoughts without attachment, open to your emotions without judgment, and engaged in your life in a way that reflects your values
My focus
I work with high-achieving women who are struggling with things like stress, depression, and anxiety. Since becoming a mother, I have also developed a special interest in perinatal mental health and have sought advanced training and perinatal mental health certification (PMH-C) from Postpartum Support International in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs).
My communication style
I try to create a space in session characterized by kind awareness such that clients are able to adopt this way of relating to themselves and their experience.
My journey to mental healthcare
I knew early on in life that I wanted to become a therapist after it became apparent to me how ubiquitous suffering is to the human experience. My mission is to help people find liberation from suffering.
My goals for you
I approach goal setting with clients by helping them identify their values and commitments they can make that are in alignment with the things they care most about.
My first session with you
During the first session, I review your history and recent stressors to understand what is contributing to and maintaining your distress, which then allows us to collaboratively identify goals for therapy.
