True change begins in the space between us—where deeper self-understanding can unfold
Therapy offers space to explore your inner world—and find your way forward.
When Life Feels Stuck or Unclear
Maybe you’ve tried different ways to feel better—self-help, mindfulness, even other types of therapy—but something still feels unresolved. You notice familiar emotional patterns repeating, relationships that leave you feeling the same way, or an inner critic that won’t quiet down.
Do you ever wonder:
- Why do I keep ending up in the same situations?
- What’s underneath these feelings I can’t seem to shake?
- Is there more to my story than I realize?
Some struggles aren’t just about what’s happening now—they have roots in deeper, unconscious layers of your mind.
Psychoanalysis offers a space to explore these patterns with curiosity, not judgment, so that lasting change can unfold over time.
A Space for Deep Exploration and Lasting Change
Hi, I’m Dr. Elizabeth Stuart—you can call me Elizabeth. I’m a psychoanalyst and psychiatrist based in Oakland specializing in helping women navigate the complexities of their emotional lives—whether it’s feeling stuck in familiar patterns, struggling with anxiety or self-doubt, or carrying an inner critic that won’t quiet down. Through psychoanalysis, we explore the deeper forces shaping your experience, so together, we can make sense of them in a new way—opening up more room for ease, clarity, and authenticity in your life.
Accessing Deeper Change Through Psychoanalysis
Imagine feeling a greater sense of freedom in your life—not just managing your emotions, but understanding them in a way that allows you to move through the world with more ease, self-trust, and authenticity.
Psychoanalysis isn’t about symptom relief—it’s about loosening the unconscious patterns that keep you stuck, so you don’t just repeat old struggles in new forms.
Over time, this process helps you:
Feel more connected to yourself and your relationships. Understand where your self-doubt, anxiety, or emotional struggles come from—so they have less power over you. Move through life with a sense of agency, rather than feeling shaped by unconscious fears or past experiences. Experience emotional shifts not just intellectually, but in a way that feels real and lasting.
What is Psychoanalysis?
Different forms of therapy offer various ways of approaching emotional struggles. Some therapies focus on managing symptoms or changing thoughts and behaviors to help you cope more effectively. Others—like the psychoanalytic psychotherapy I offer (link to page)—work toward understanding unconscious patterns and exploring how past experiences shape your present.
Psychoanalysis takes this even further. Meeting multiple times per week allows us to access unconscious material more directly, creating space for insights and emotional shifts that aren’t always possible in once-weekly therapy.
In this depth of work, patterns don’t just get talked about—they emerge in the room, in real time. As we pay attention to what unfolds, feelings that may have been buried for years can surface in new ways, allowing you to not just understand yourself differently, but to actually experience that difference—sometimes in ways that are deeply moving and transformative.
How Psychoanalysis Works
Psychoanalysis is an in-depth process that unfolds over time, offering space for deep exploration.
What to expect:
- Multiple sessions per week (typically 3-5) to develop a rhythm for deeper work.
- An open space to speak freely—you may lie on the couch or sit, whichever feels right for you.
- No rigid agenda or quick solutions—instead, a process of discovery, insight, and self-understanding.
Many find that this level of engagement creates the conditions for profound emotional shifts, allowing them to break free from unconscious cycles and live with more clarity and ease.
How Can I Support You?
If you’re considering psychoanalysis, it may be because something in your life feels deeply stuck—patterns that won’t shift, emotions that feel overwhelming or out of reach, a sense that there’s more to understand but no clear way forward. I know how painful that can be, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
In our work together, I don’t just listen—I’m here with you in the process.
Psychoanalysis isn’t just about gaining insight; it’s about having a space where your emotions, fears, and longings can be felt and understood in a new way. Over time, this experience can be profoundly transformative, allowing you to relate to yourself, others —and to life itself—with more depth, freedom, and possibility. It’s a commitment, but one that can open up life in ways you may not have imagined. If you’re curious about whether this path is right for you, let’s talk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psychoanalysis is a therapeutic approach that explores unconscious thoughts and feelings influencing behavior. By bringing these to awareness, individuals can gain profound self-understanding and address deep-seated emotional issues.
Unlike short-term therapies focusing on symptom relief, psychoanalysis delves into the root causes of emotional difficulties, examining past experiences and unconscious processes to facilitate lasting change.
Psychoanalysis can help with a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, self-esteem issues, and unresolved trauma. It’s particularly beneficial for those seeking deep personal growth and understanding.
Sessions typically involve discussing whatever comes to mind, including thoughts, feelings, memories, and dreams. This free association helps uncover unconscious material influencing current behavior.
The duration varies based on individual needs and goals. Psychoanalysis is often a long-term commitment, with sessions occurring multiple times per week to facilitate deep exploration and change.
If you’re seeking to understand the underlying causes of your emotional challenges and are open to exploring your inner world, psychoanalysis may be a fitting approach. A consultation can help determine its suitability for your specific situation.
