Jessica Massaro,LCSWR, CST - Sex Therapist - Ithaca NY

Jessica Massaro, LCSWR, CST

Founder & Clinical Director | AASECT Certified Sex Therapist

Jessica Massaro, LCSW-R, CST, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Compassionate Connections Sex & Couples Counseling, PLLC. She specializes in sex therapy, couples counseling, multi-partner therapy, and relationship intimacy, helping individuals and partners navigate challenges with communication, desire, sexual connection, and emotional intimacy.

Jessica works with individuals, couples, and multi-partner relationships across diverse relationship structures, including monogamous, polyamorous, and consensually non-monogamous (CNM) partnerships. Her approach is sex-positive, LGBTQ+ affirming, kink-affirming, fetish-affirming, and poly/CNM-affirming, creating a space where clients can openly explore their relationships, sexuality, and desires without shame or judgment.

Areas of Specialization

Jessica has a particular passion for helping couples and multi-partner relationships navigate desire discrepancies, sexual concerns, communication difficulties, recurring conflict, jealousy, boundaries, and emotional or erotic disconnection. She supports partners in strengthening trust, negotiating relationship agreements, deepening intimacy, reigniting chemistry, and developing more fulfilling sexual and relational connections.

Her work with polyamorous and consensually non-monogamous relationships includes supporting multiple partners together in therapy, helping them navigate complex relationship dynamics, communication, consent, and the unique needs of each person within the relationship.

Jessica also supports individuals exploring sexual identity, erotic interests, kink, fetishes, and the impact of shame or anxiety on sexual expression. She believes that meaningful sexual connection begins with curiosity, communication, and a greater understanding of ourselves and our partners.

Beyond traditional couples counseling, Jessica enjoys working with couples considering separation, partners navigating relationship uncertainty, and former partners seeking healthier co-parenting relationships. She is trained in Discernment Counseling, an approach designed to help couples gain clarity when one or both partners are uncertain about continuing their relationship. She also supports separated and divorced partners in navigating communication, boundaries, conflict, and cooperative co-parenting dynamics.

Clinical Training & Therapeutic Approach

Jessica earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) and Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy and Couples Therapy from Boston University School of Social Work. She also completed the Human Sexuality Intensive at Indiana University's Kinsey Institute, further expanding her specialized education in human sexuality and sexual health.

As an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST), Jessica has completed advanced education, clinical training, and supervision in the assessment and treatment of sexual concerns.

Her therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from several established relationship and psychotherapy models, including:

• Relational Life Therapy (RLT), developed by Terry Real, which emphasizes relational accountability, healthier communication, and moving beyond destructive relationship patterns.

• Discernment Counseling, helping couples facing uncertainty about their relationship gain clarity and confidence about their next steps.

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and attachment-based approaches, supporting emotional security and deeper connection.

• Imago Relationship Therapy, helping partners understand recurring relational patterns and develop greater empathy.

• Gottman Method Couples Therapy, incorporating research-informed strategies for communication, conflict management, and intimacy.

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and behavioral interventions, helping clients identify practical strategies and meaningful opportunities for change.

Jessica is a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT), the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), and the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA).

My Perspective

"I believe that relationships and sexuality are deeply personal, and there is no single definition of what a healthy, fulfilling partnership should look like.

Whether you're monogamous, polyamorous, consensually non-monogamous, exploring kink or fetishes, or simply trying to reconnect with your partner or partners, my goal is to help you build a relationship and sexual life that feels authentic and fulfilling to you.

I love helping people have the conversations they've been avoiding, better understand their desires, navigate differences, and rediscover intimacy and connection. I'm comfortable talking about the topics that can feel difficult, vulnerable, or even taboo. You don't need to censor yourself or worry about shocking me.

I also recognize that not every relationship is meant to continue in its current form. Sometimes the work is about rebuilding and reconnecting; other times, it's about gaining clarity, navigating separation, or learning how to move forward as effective co-parents.

Above all, I want you to feel safe, respected, and empowered to explore what works best for you and your relationships. Pleasure, connection, and fulfilling relationships shouldn't feel out of reach."