Jan 19, 2026
From alleviating recurring nightmares to finding oneself by discovering your family’s secret past, psychoanalysis is a turbulent but rewarding form of psychotherapy. Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis establishing it in the 1890’s. The approach includes a focus on the unconscious mind, dream interpretation and talk therapy for addressing mental disturbances. Psychoanalysis continues to be a valuable path for gaining inner freedom from a host of mental struggles. In her book, “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” Joan Peters takes us through her journey of self-understanding through psychoanalysis – a long practiced but not well understood psychological intervention.
Listen to our conversation with author and Professor Joan Peters as we discuss the many mysteries that lurk just beneath the surface of our psyches.
Joan Peters is a Professor Emeritus of Literature and Writing at California State University, an author, and animal lover. Peters has a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Chicago. She began her career with a focus on 17th Century European and British literature, but quickly developed a passion for women´s fiction. She has taught English literature and women´s studies at Middlebury College, Rutgers University and The City College of New York. She is the author of “Not your mother’s life” and “When Mothers Work”, which tackles the unique struggles young women in the working world face and the challenges of creating healthy work/life balance. She continues to write and lecture about psychoanalysis, sharing her expertise with eager minds as well as write articles for Psychology Today. She currently resides in California with her husband, and their dogs, and chickens.
Joan Peters’ book is a groundbreaking memoir offering an in-depth look into her first-hand experience with psychoanalysis. The inner workings of this intricate treatment are rarely discussed, and mostly unknown outside of professional circles. Using skill, creativity, and humour, she shines her light on this deep modality. Her book includes everything from heated conflicts to intense connection that can blossom between patient and analyst, offering readers an inside look into her transformative experience.
Listen to our conversation with Joan Peters to hear about the many ups and downs of psychoanalysis.
If you are interested in learning about Joan Peters’ exploration of her own mind, this podcast is for you.