Individual therapy · Chicago & online
Therapy for leaders and executives in Chicago
When others look to you for direction, it can feel difficult to admit uncertainty or ask for support. You may be managing decisions, expectations, and conflict while leaving little space for your own emotional life.
Request a consultation
Does any of this feel familiar?
- Decision fatigue and the pressure to stay composed
- Isolation or feeling unable to let your guard down
- Difficulty delegating, setting limits, or trusting others
- Perfectionism and tying your worth to results
- Relationship strain, burnout, or questions about purpose
You do not need to relate to every item. We begin with what matters to you.
How I work
Curiosity, collaboration,
and practical change.
Therapy gives us room to explore how you relate to responsibility, success, uncertainty, and other people. We can examine patterns of control or self-criticism without judging them, and develop more flexible ways of responding. The focus is your well-being and relationships, including the parts of life that do not appear on a résumé.
Depending on your needs, I may draw on CBT, ACT, psychodynamic exploration, and IFS work. We will talk about what feels helpful and adjust our approach together.
What we can work toward
01
Make space for uncertainty without treating it as failure
02
Develop boundaries that support your health and relationships
03
Clarify values and identity beyond your professional title
Your goals will be individual to you. Therapy is a process we shape together, and outcomes vary.
Meet Sam Rustum, LCPC.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago. I work with people navigating anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and relationship challenges.
My aim is to offer a thoughtful, collaborative space where you can understand yourself more clearly and try new ways of responding.
Our work is individual psychotherapy. It centers on your emotional well-being, rather than performance evaluation or organizational consulting.
Getting started
One-hour sessions
In-person therapy in Chicago and online sessions subject to location and eligibility. Contact me to confirm availability and discuss payment or insurance questions.
A free 15-minute consultation
We can talk about what you are looking for, your questions, and whether working together feels like a fit.
What working together can involve
We might start with a decision that continues to occupy you. What outcome are you afraid would say something about you? How much responsibility are you assigning yourself? What happens when someone disagrees or needs more from you than you can offer?
The conversation may take us toward an anxious prediction, an earlier experience of being relied upon, or a habit of equating control with care. Understanding that pattern can help us choose a practical response to explore.
For example, you might practice naming a limit without immediately undoing it, asking for support before frustration builds, or allowing a difficult feeling to be present without turning it into another task. We would review how that felt and what happened in the relationship.
Questions you may be asking
How is this different from executive coaching?
Therapy focuses on mental health, emotional patterns, and relationships. My separate executive coaching service focuses on professional development and leadership goals. We can discuss which service fits the concerns you want help with.
Can I come if my work is going well?
Yes. Professional results do not tell us everything about how you are doing. You can seek therapy because anxiety, isolation, self-criticism, or strain at home is affecting your life.
Can I ask about privacy before deciding?
Yes. We can review confidentiality and its limits, payment, records, and the practical arrangements for care. You do not need to include sensitive workplace details in an initial inquiry.
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.