Illyana Massey

I received my Master's in Social Work from UNC Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) and have years of experience in specialized sex therapy, couples therapy, LGBTQIA+ affirming care, and behavioral health, working with individuals experiencing mood disorders and substance use concerns. I work with individuals and couples facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, intimacy issues, and so much more. My goal is to create a space where you can be honest, authentic, and fully yourself without fear of judgment.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to you, because no two people (or relationships) are the same. I draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches, including CBT, ACT, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), attachment-based interventions, trauma-informed care, and other modalities to meet your unique needs. While therapy often involves navigating difficult emotions, I also believe healing can include laughter, moments of lightness, and celebrating growth along the way. My goal is to help you gain insight, build practical skills, and create meaningful, lasting change both in and outside of the therapy room.

First things first, breathe. Coming to therapy can feel intimidating, and for many people, it's a little awkward at first, especially if you have no idea what to expect. During our first session, we'll spend time getting to know each other, discussing what brought you to therapy, your goals, and what you hope to gain from the process. You don't need to have everything figured out before we meet; my role is to help you make sense of where you are and where you'd like to go. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling heard, supported, and thinking, "Okay...I got this"