Hi, I'm Ana Ristov.

BAPsychSC, GDipPsychAdv, MProfPsych

And I’m a registered Psychologist with a passion and focus on supporting women throughout their perinatal journey through the emotional transitions of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. I enjoy working with clients navigating challenges such as perinatal anxiety and depression, birth trauma, pregnancy loss, fertility issues, and postpartum adjustment. With a deep belief in each person’s inner wisdom and capacity for growth, I aim to empower you to reconnect with your own intuition, resilience, and skillset during one of life’s most vulnerable and transformative seasons.

My therapeutic style is warm, relaxed, and empathetic. I take a collaborative and evidence-based approach to treatment, prioritising the creation of a space where clients feel understood, accepted, and empowered. At the core of my practice is building a strong, trusting relationship that supports reflection and growth. I enjoy taking a holistic perspective, working alongside clients to explore new directions, foster personal development, and support their mental health and well-being across all areas of life.

I value collaboration not only within the therapeutic relationship but also with a client’s broader care team, and I’m always open to liaising with GPs, Psychiatrists, OBGYNs, or other relevant professionals involved in your care.

Outside of my private practice, I also work at Monash IVF as a Senior Psychologist as part of the Victorian Counselling Team.

Intentional living with a lively heart and stoic mind

Qualifications
Bachelor of Psychology - Deakin University
Graduate Diploma of Psychology Advanced - Monash University
Master of Professional Psychology - The Cairnmillar Institute
Master of Professional Psychology Practice - The Cairnmillar Institute

Professional Affiliations
Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi)
Member of the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association (ANZICA)
Registered with the Perinatal Loss Centre Therapist Register
Registered Circle of Security - Parenting (COSP) Facilitator
Member of the MHPN Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Network

Further Training & Accreditations
Perinatal Non-Directive Counselling – APS
Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health – COPE
Perinatal Loss in Practice: What Therapists Need to Know - COPE & The Perinatal Loss Centre
Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (PIMH) Intensive Training Package – Centre for Perinatal Psychology, Perinatal Training Centre
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders - Seleni Institute
Circle of Security Parenting - Circle of Security International

Publications
Brown, E., O’Donoghue, B., White, S.L., Chanen, A., Bedi, G., Adams, S., Schely, C., Do, T.U., Sterjovska, A., Moeller-Saxone, K. and Kay-Lambkin, F., 2021. Tobacco smoking in young people seeking treatment for mental ill-health: what are their attitudes, knowledge and behaviours towards quitting?. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 38(1), pp.30-39.