About Lively Lifestyles Psychology
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.
Areas of expertise
- 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
- Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (PIMH) Intensive Training – Centre for Perinatal Psychology
- Perinatal Non-Directive Counselling – Australian Psychological Society
- Basic Skills in Perinatal Mental Health – Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
- Perinatal Loss in Practice: What Therapists Need to Know – COPE & The Perinatal Loss Centre
- Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders – Seleni Institute
- Circle of Security Parenting – Circle of Security International
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 – The Gottman Institute
Company values
Women Owned
Learn about the support you didn't know you needed.
We have cherry picked the most useful resources for your fourth trimester so that you don't have to waste precious hours searching.
Interview - Caroline Bilkey (Mummy's Whispers)
Why Hiring Postpartum In-Home Support Can Transform Your Recovery
If I had my way, support would be non-negotiable and, in an ideal world, would have government funding, so everyone can access the help we all deserve. We can shape our families' and therefore babies' complete outcomes (and lives!) by providing education, but above all, support in those early days. It is essential for a mother who has given birth to rest and recover.
Interview - Louise Barton + Elisha Wildblood (Not Another Onesie)
In Conversation With Vicky O’Rourke from Connect Baby
Who's doing what at home? The truth about domestic load & how to lighten it together.
Article - Kylee Shepherd (Ma Wisdom)
Keeping the Village Strong: How Modern Grandparent Workshops Support Families
Becoming a parent doesn’t just change your life; it reshapes the whole family. As new mums navigate sleepless nights, identity shifts, and the steep learning curve of parenthood, their own parents are experiencing a transition too. That’s where modern grandparent workshops come in. Across Australia, these programs are helping families strengthen connection, understanding, and boundaries so that everyone, parents, grandparents, and babies, can thrive together.
Article - Louise Barton & Elisha Wildblood (Not Another Onesie)
Why Motherhood Feels So Hard
Dear Mama, We see you. We see the way you pour yourself into motherhood, the way you carry the weight of the world while still showing up with love and strength, even when you feel like a shadow of yourself. As a society, we sit here adding to the pressure, adding to the load and, let's be brutally honest - failing you miserably every step of the way. We owe you an apology.
Article - Elisha Wildblood and Louise Barton (Not Another Onesie)
Discover the life changing benefits of planning for your postpartum
Discover how proactive postpartum planning can transform your journey into motherhood. This post outlines the critical benefits of preparing ahead—from organizing nutritious meals and setting up recovery systems to establishing clear boundaries with visitors and building a trusted support network. With practical tips and insights, you'll learn how a well-crafted plan can help you recover, bond with your new-born, and navigate the early days of motherhood with confidence.