Lianna Hursh, LMSW

Lianna (she/her) is guided by the belief that a meaningful life grows from vulnerability and deep human connection. In a world that can feel painfully performative—a constant effort to appear perfectly and completely fine—she offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to drop the act and be real. Believing that much of our pain stems from avoiding what hurts, Lianna brings warmth and curiosity to help you face it—and feel less alone in the process.

Lianna holds an MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, with a clinical focus on family and couples therapy. Her work with individuals is grounded in attachment and psychodynamic theory, exploring how early experiences, relationships, and unconscious patterns shape one’s present-day emotional life. With couples, she has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and draws on attachment-based approaches to help partners strengthen their emotional bond and build a greater sense of safety and connection. Guided by the EFT model, Lianna’s work centers on two key goals: helping couples identify and understand the negative cycle that drives disconnection, and creating new, emotionally healing experiences in session that support lasting change.

With a background in journalism and television production, Lianna takes a thoughtful approach to helping individuals and couples explore the stories they tell about themselves—encouraging reflection, gently challenging limiting beliefs, and rewriting narratives that no longer serve them. As a licensed social worker, Lianna recognizes the profound impact that environments, systems, and social contexts have on these stories, and is committed to integrating this perspective into her practice.

Lianna has experience working in community mental health settings with a diverse population of clients including children, adolescents, and adults. She’s helped her clients navigate a wide variety of challenges including trauma, depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, substance use, difficult relationships, chronic illness, and grief/loss.