Our Team
Michelle Jones, LCSW
She/Her
AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist
Clinical Lead and Education Coordinator
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social worker with extensive experience serving adults. My areas of specialty include anxiety, depression, emotion management, relationship/couples issues, and sexual concerns/sex therapy.
I believe that therapy is a place for acceptance, compassion, growth, and change. I utilize mindfulness-based, trauma informed, and compassion focused approaches in addition to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and the Gottman Method for relationship issues.
I’m an AASECT-certified and sex-positive Sex Therapist, specializing in desire discrepancies, lack of desire/pleasure/orgasm, low sexual self-esteem, sex after cancer, sex for older adults, sexual concerns in LQBTQIA+ relationships, sex after trauma, erectile dysfunction, and out-of-control sexual behavior (I do not specialize in illegal behavior). I do not specialize in all areas of sexual concern so I will provide referral options if you need a different provider for treatment.
When therapy is utilized effectively, it provides a path for inner peace, balance, and fulfillment. I believe that therapy should be goal-oriented and progress should be made in our time together. I will put in as much work as needed to support you in reaching your goals, and I expect you to do the same. Personal and relational work is not always easy but it is central to living the life you want to live. I look forward to working with you!
In addition to providing therapy to her clients, Michelle is also the Clinical Lead and Education Coordinator for our practice. In this role, Michelle provides clinical supervision to other therapists, develops educational resources for the practice, and oversees important areas of clinical growth for Life Balance that benefit both our team and our clients.
Madeline Pelc, LPC, CCTP
She/Her
Clinician
Madeline is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a certified Clinical Trauma Treatment Professional with specialties in helping clients who have experienced trauma, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, relationship concerns, and trouble coping with stress and difficult life transitions.
Madeline is committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative therapy experience. She empowers clients to develop the skills needed for lasting positive change while encouraging a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust and empathy. She enjoys helping people from middle adolescence through middle adulthood to gain practical tools to better navigate life’s struggles, overcome the barriers that get in the way of living a more fulfilling life, and find more joy in their daily lives. Like all Life Balance therapists, Madeline is LGBTQIA+ affirming in all aspects of treatment.
Sara Scarberry, LPC
She/Her
Clinician
Sara is a Licensed Professional Counselor who is trained in EMDR and has extensive experience working with trauma survivors. She is passionate about helping people who may have unconventional relationships or life circumstances. She specializes in providing compassionate therapy for individuals seeking support in the realm of sexual health and intimacy, past trauma, depression, relationship concerns, and self esteem/ identity exploration.
With her supportive and down-to-earth approach, Sara ensures that clients feel heard, understood, and supported throughout the therapy experience. Sara helps clients reach a deeper understanding of their inner world, gain more awareness of how their thoughts and feelings affect themselves and their relationships, and develop resilience and confidence. She enjoys helping people from adolescence through adulthood to overcome painful experiences, navigate personal concerns, and thrive in their lives and relationships. Like all Life Balance therapists, Sara is LGBTQIA+ affirming in all aspects of treatment.
Tracey DeSantis, LSW
She/Her
Clinician
Tracey is a Licensed Social Worker who enjoys working with teens and adults, with an emphasis on women’s mental health. She specializes in helping people struggling with grief and loss, life transitions, self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Tracey also works with new moms and other women around their experience of motherhood and maternal mental health.
Tracey is a compassionate and empathetic therapist who focuses on building rapport and trust with her clients. She takes a collaborative approach with you while assessing your needs so you feel heard and supported as you begin to work on the things you’d like to improve and change. Like all Life Balance therapists, Tracey is LGBTQIA+ affirming in all aspects of treatment. She is also working on completing her clinical hours to become a Certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Professional (CDBT).
Tracey is in-network with commercial UPMC and Blue Cross/ Blue Shield plans and is supervised by Michelle Jones, LCSW.
Marlo Torrelli, LPC, CDBT, CCATP
She/Her
Owner/Director
*Not currently accepting new or returning clients *
Marlo is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds certifications in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Clinical Anxiety Treatment, and Couples and Family Counseling. She specializes in a variety of treatment areas, including women's mental health and wellness, self-harm, shame resilience, Borderline Personality Disorder, teens/ young adults, the Highly Sensitive trait (HSP/ HSC), depression, anxiety, and couples/ family concerns. She also maintains significant involvement with the LGBTQIA community in both advocacy and professional capacities.
Marlo founded Life Balance Counseling and Wellness in 2017 after several years in private practice. Life Balance’s mission is to provide a validating and compassionate environment where individuals and families can build on strengths, make positive changes, and reach their fullest potential. While Marlo is no longer accepting new or returning clients, she will continue to serve Life Balance’s mission as Owner and Administrative Director.