Meet your therapist
Meet Sam Rustum, LCPC
I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago. I work with people who are used to holding things together for others but feel anxious, burned out, or caught in a cycle of self-criticism.
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A place to slow down.
And speak honestly.
Our sessions are a place to understand what keeps you stuck. Together, we connect patterns in your life with practical changes you can try between sessions.
That might mean setting boundaries, navigating relationships, responding differently to your inner critic, or making room for life outside work.
You can tell me when something does not fit. We will keep talking about what is useful and adjust our work together.
How I work
More than one way to understand yourself.
Psychodynamic therapy
Explore how earlier experiences and recurring relationship patterns connect with your life now.
Explore the approach ↗CBT
Notice the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Then try practical changes.
Explore CBT ↗ACT
Make room for difficult emotions while choosing actions that reflect what matters to you.
Explore ACT ↗Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I am trained in IFS. Together, we can meet different parts of your experience with curiosity, including the parts that criticize, worry, or push you to keep going.
Explore IFS ↗Your life, beyond the pressure.
I work with anxiety, perfectionism, self-esteem, burnout, and relationship challenges. You do not need a particular job title or a crisis to ask for support.
Sessions are available in Chicago and online, subject to location and eligibility.
Executive coaching.
I am also a Certified Executive Coach through the Center for Executive Coaching. My coaching focuses on leadership, communication, professional goals, and sustainable work habits.
What working with me can feel like
I want to understand the person living through the problem. That includes your work and relationships, the expectations you grew up with, and what you do when you feel threatened, disappointed, or overwhelmed.
I may ask us to slow down a moment you would usually move past. What happened when you received that message? What did you tell yourself? Did you push harder, shut down, or agree to something you did not want? A specific situation often tells us more than a broad label.
We can also make the work practical. You might prepare a difficult conversation, try a different stopping point at work, or notice self-criticism before it turns a small mistake into an entire evening of worry. We will return to what you learn and consider what needs adjusting.
Questions you may be asking
What if I have never been to therapy?
We can begin with what brought you here. You do not need a complete history, a polished explanation, or certainty about your goals. I can help you put words to the concerns you want us to understand.
Will you give me things to try between sessions?
When it fits our work, we can agree on something to notice or practice. We will discuss what is realistic for you and use your experience to guide the next conversation.
How do I decide whether we are a good fit?
A free 15-minute consultation gives you a chance to ask about my approach and describe what you need. We can also discuss scheduling, appointment format, and payment questions.
A place to begin
Let’s make room for what you need.
A free 15-minute consultation gives us a chance to talk about what is difficult, answer your questions, and consider whether working together fits what you need.