Therapy for men · Chicago
You do not have to have it all figured out.
Maybe you keep busy so you do not have to think about what is bothering you. Maybe you can explain the problem but cannot seem to change the pattern. Therapy gives you time to understand what is happening and decide how you want to respond.
Explore a free consultation ↗A conversation you do not have to rehearse.
You can start with stress, frustration, numbness, or simply feeling unlike yourself. There is no right way to be a man—or a perfect way to begin therapy.
What has been taking up space?
Men come to therapy for many reasons. Your experience may include:
- Worry that follows you into evenings and weekends
- A short fuse, shutting down, or difficulty naming what you feel
- Pressure to provide, perform, or be the person others depend on
- Feeling disconnected despite staying busy
- Harsh self-criticism, uncertainty, or difficulty asking for support
- Grief or a change that has unsettled your sense of direction
These are possible starting points, not assumptions about you. We will focus on what matters in your life.
More than what you accomplish
Make room for a fuller picture of yourself.
Understand your responses
We can look at what happens before you withdraw, overwork, or become frustrated. Understanding a pattern gives us somewhere practical to begin.
Practice a different response
That might mean setting a limit, recognizing an emotion sooner, or taking a manageable step toward something you have been avoiding.
Choose what matters now
You may want more space for interests, friendship, rest, or a different direction at work. We can explore goals that reflect your priorities.
Fatherhood and changing responsibilities
Becoming a father—or adjusting as your children grow—can bring changes in time, identity, and expectations. You may feel grateful and overwhelmed at once.
Individual therapy can be a place to understand your reactions, consider the expectations you learned growing up, and make room for your own needs alongside your responsibilities. You do not need to be a parent to work with me.
How I work with men
I am Sam Rustum, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago. My approach combines thoughtful exploration with practical steps. We can talk directly about what is difficult without requiring you to use clinical language or share everything immediately.
Depending on your goals, our work may draw on CBT, ACT, psychodynamic therapy, and IFS-informed approaches. We will check in about what feels useful and adjust together.
Your background, identity, values, and experience of masculinity belong in the conversation. There is no single model you need to fit.
Before you start
What if I am not used to talking about feelings?
We can begin with a recent situation, a pattern you have noticed, or what you would like to be different. Finding the words can be part of the work.
Do I need a diagnosis or a crisis?
You can reach out because something is affecting your life or because you want to understand yourself better. We will discuss your concerns and whether therapy is a useful fit.
What are the fee and consultation options?
One-hour sessions are $300. A free 15-minute consultation gives you a chance to ask about my approach, availability, and payment options.
Will our conversations be confidential?
We will review confidentiality and its limits before starting treatment. You can raise questions about records, insurance, and privacy during the consultation.
Start where you are.
Tell me a little about what you want help with. We can work out the next step together.
Request a consultation ↗Sam Rustum, LCPC · Rustum Therapy, LLC · Chicago
$300 for a one-hour session · Free 15-minute consultation