Hi, I’m Elissa (you can call me Liss).

I’m a counselor, educator, and advocate with a focus on sexuality, identity, and relational wellness. I hold an M.S.Ed. in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania and a background in psychology from Penn State. My work sits at the intersection of intimacy, emotional development, and personal growth—supporting individuals in exploring who they are in relationships, in careers, and in connection with themselves. I specialize in supporting people who are navigating dating, identity formation, breakups, career transitions, or a return to self after losing touch with their boundaries and desires. I believe the sexual and relational self is not a side note to our development—it’s foundational to living fully and authentically. Through a warm, affirming, and identity-informed lens, I support people in deepening self-awareness, rewriting patterns, and cultivating joy, pleasure, and meaningful connection. In addition to my clinical training, I lead workshops and talks on sexual health, intimacy, shame resilience, and relational readiness. I’ve developed original educational frameworks and presented for schools, community spaces, and national conferences. I also host a blog and podcast under the name Learning Curves with Liss, where I share insights, tools, and real-life reflections about love, identity, desire, and becoming.

My own story informs the work I do. Like many, I once believed that if I waited long enough, the perfect partner would appear. But after years of losing myself in relationships, I realized the relationship I most needed to cultivate was the one with myself. Through therapy, sexual self-exploration, and values-based reflection, I reclaimed my voice, my boundaries, and my pleasure. That experience fuels my deep belief in the transformative power of intimacy, not just with others, but within.

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Licensure Note:
I have completed my Master’s in School and Mental Health Counseling and am currently preparing to begin practicing under supervision as a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) in Pennsylvania. I am not yet offering therapy services but am building toward private practice with a focus on relational, sex-positive, and identity-affirming care. This site will be updated when those services become available.