trees and fog on a body of water

Every part of you is welcome here.

About Me

Hello! I’m Lizzie.

I am an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist working in Private Practice.

I am a Queer and Non-Binary therapist. I am originally from the East coast, and I have a background in literature and poetry. The therapeutic power of creative expression is in part what inspired me to become a therapist.

What Brought Me Here

I have always been driven by empathy, vulnerability, and emotional intimacy. I find meaning in cultivating relationships with people. Through both personal and second-hand experience, I’ve witnessed the pain, confusion, shame, or tension that so many of us carry within, and that has an impact on our daily lives, our relationships, and our ideas of self.

I consider it a great privilege to do this work – to honor your unique feelings and experiences, and to support you in cultivating a life and sense of self that brings you meaning, empowerment, and joy.

How I Work

I received my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute, which is a program specifically oriented in social justice and cultural humility.

I believe the relationship we build as client and therapist is an important avenue for healing, and can aid us in exploring your relationships outside of therapy. You are the expert on your own life; I am here to listen to you and work collaboratively to empower your inherent strength and resilience. I use warmth, compassion, and humor to cultivate an affirming, non-judgemental, and trusting connection with my clients.

My work is primarily relational, psychodynamic, trauma-informed, and attachment-focused. I often pull from Somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Existential therapy. My approach is process and depth oriented. In our work together, we also examine conversations around culture, identity, power, privilege, and oppression.

image of lizzie standing in a park and smiling

Lizzie Pfeiffer

Pronouns: They/Them

What I Offer

I provide individual therapy for adults, kids, and adolescents (ages 8+.) I also offer therapy for partners, couples, spouses, and families.

I specialize in working with Queer, Trans, Polyamorous, Asexual/Aromantic, and LGBTQ+ folks.

I currently see clients in-person in Oakland. I also work virtually via telehealth with anyone residing in California. I see clients on a weekly basis.

** On a case-by-case basis, I will write letters in support of my clients receiving Gender-Affirming Care. In accordance with WPATH’s Standards of Care, I can write a letter after approximately 4-6 months of working together and building our therapeutic relationship.**

  • I support clients coping with a diverse range of presenting concerns. I often work with anxiety (including stress, perfectionism, burnout), depression, relationship difficulties, complex attachment trauma, and identity development. I am here to support you through your hard moments, as well as your good ones. This list is not exhaustive, so please reach out - it’s a privilege to hold with you whatever you are carrying.

  • Kids and teens are often facing a lot of confusion about the world, immense pressure and expectations, and so many big transitions. Through my experience as a school counselor, I grew a deep passion for supporting adolescents and children. I work with kiddos grappling with anxiety, perfectionism, depression, family and peer conflict, academic stress, substance use, gender and sexual identity, social media and bullying, and more.

  • Friendships, partnerships and families, while often being a place of love, support, and connection, can also so often bring tension, conflict, or misunderstanding. Sharing yourself and your lived experience with others can be a daunting task.

    One of my specialty areas is supporting friends and Queer Platonic Partners in therapy. This often looks like navigating conflict, expectations, roles, and boundaries. My goal is to create a safe space for you to explore, celebrate, and strengthen your relationship!

    I support couples, partners, spouses, polycules, and diverse intimate/romantic relationships. Some of the areas we can work on together include attachment, trauma, communication and conflict, sex, intimacy, and kink.

    I also support whole family units. Through life transitions, grief and loss, parenting, substance use, trauma, and more - I am here to listen and help family members turn toward each other, and communicate and connect more smoothly.

  • I have a particular passion for, as well as experience with, working with Queer and Trans adults and youth. Through a gender transition, coming out, or finding love and chosen family, we all have diverse experiences that often hold hardship alongside joy and empowerment. I am here to hold all the pieces of you, support you in being your most authentic self, and help you in your journey of finding meaning and joy.

dried flowers, plain background

Fees & Next Steps

I look forward to meeting you!

  • Our first step in working together is to set up a 20-minute free consultation, so that we can get to know each other better and decide if we’re a good fit.

  • To schedule a consultation, please email me, or leave me a voicemail with your name and phone number (contact info below).

Individual Sessions: $175

Partners/Family Sessions: $225

  • I offer a limited number of sliding scale spots for clients in need of a lower fee. Ask me more about this!

  • I am considered an out-of-network provider, so I do not accept insurance. I can provide you with a Superbill to submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.

Contact Me

“You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.”

— Mary Oliver, Wild Geese