Our Experts

Ana Ristov is a registered Psychologist and accredited Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Clinician with a deep commitment to supporting women through the full arc of the perinatal experience – from preconception, pregnancy, and birth, to the early years of parenting.

Ana understands that becoming a parent is about so much more than having a baby. It’s a profound identity shift – matrescence – as complex and transformative as adolescence, only with far less societal guidance (and much less sleep). She’s passionate about helping you navigate this journey with gentleness, self-compassion, and clarity, so that you can feel more grounded in your evolving self.

She supports clients navigating:

Pregnancy and Birth

• Managing antenatal and postnatal anxiety or depression
• Feeling anxious or uncertain about giving birth
• Recovering emotionally from a difficult or traumatic birth
• Making sense of your birth experience

Postnatal Identity & Adjustment

• Finding your footing in the early stages of parenthood (matrescence)
• Reconnecting with who you are outside of motherhood
• Adjusting to new roles, expectations, and daily rhythms
• Struggling with body image or pressure to ‘bounce back’
• Realigning with your core values in this new season of life

Parenting & Connection

• Strengthening your bond and emotional connection with your baby
• Tuning in to your child’s needs while learning to trust your instincts
• Exploring feelings of frustration, anger, or “mum rage”

Relationships, Roles & Boundaries

• Navigating shifts in your relationship or co-parenting dynamic
• Setting boundaries to protect your wellbeing and your child’s
• Preparing for or settling back into paid work after leave

Ana knows what it’s like to be in the thick of it – she’s navigated many of the same struggles that you might be experiencing right now. Her style is warm, thoughtful, and collaborative. She works from the belief that you are the expert in your own life, and that therapy is a space for curiosity, reflection, and renewal. Her approach integrates attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based therapeutic frameworks – all held within a safe and supportive relationship.

Whether you’re preparing for pregnancy, navigating the early postpartum haze, or simply wondering where you went in all of this – Ana offers a space to gently land, reflect, and begin to feel more like yourself again.

Papaya Health is an innovative women’s allied health clinic dedicated to providing holistic women’s health services for women in all stages of life.

We’re a team of health professionals, made up of a pelvic health physiotherapist, naturopath, acupuncturist, psychologist and massage therapist all under one roof, ready to support you online and in person in Newtown, Sydney.

Beattie Street Health Studio – Holistic Care for Mothers & Families

At Beattie Street Health Studio, we understand that motherhood is one of life’s most profound transitions — and it’s not something you’re meant to navigate alone. Our studio in Balmain is a warm, light-filled space designed to support women and families through every stage of the journey: from pre-conception, pregnancy and birth preparation, to the intensity of early postpartum and beyond.

Founded by Dr Melinda Webb, Chinese medicine doctor, Dr Joe Dispenza practitioner, and breathwork practitioner, Beattie Street Health brings together a team of experienced, multidisciplinary practitioners who share a passion for nurturing both body and mind. With a focus on continuity of care, we create a safe environment where mothers feel held, heard, and supported to restore balance in their physical health, emotional wellbeing, and energy.

Services include:

Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine — to ease morning sickness, support fertility, prepare for labour, and aid recovery postpartum.

Remedial & Pregnancy Massage — relieving tension, improving circulation, and providing therapeutic support tailored to each stage.

Naturopathy & Nutrition — addressing root causes, building energy, and supporting the body’s natural healing processes.

Breathwork & Meditation — simple, powerful tools to calm the nervous system, reset, and build resilience for the demands of parenthood.

Hypnotherapy & Wellness Coaching — supporting emotional recalibration and empowering mothers to move through challenges with confidence.

For families, we also offer care that extends beyond the mother, recognising that partners, babies, and older children are part of the wellbeing picture too. Whether it’s help with sleep, emotional regulation, recovery from birth, or just a space to pause and recharge, our team is here to meet you where you are.

At Beattie Street Health Studio, we believe that mothers deserve more. They deserve compassionate, practical, and holistic care.