Individual therapy · Chicago & online
Therapy for tech professionals in Chicago
Fast-moving teams, shifting priorities, and constant learning can make it feel as though you are never doing enough. Whether you work in engineering, product, design, data, or another area of tech, therapy can help you make space for a life beyond your output.
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Does any of this feel familiar?
- Burnout, mental overload, and difficulty switching off
- Imposter feelings, comparison, and perfectionism
- On-call demands or blurred work and home boundaries
- Anxiety about layoffs, career changes, or uncertainty
- Feeling disconnected from your body, emotions, or relationships
You do not need to relate to every item. We begin with what matters to you.
How I work
Curiosity, collaboration,
and practical change.
We can look at the patterns behind the pressure to optimize, prove yourself, or stay available. I combine practical work on thoughts and behaviors with curiosity about what achievement means to you. Together, we can explore boundaries, uncertainty, and ways to connect more fully with the people and interests that matter.
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
Separate your sense of worth from performance metrics
02
Respond more flexibly to uncertainty and change
03
Develop sustainable habits for rest, boundaries, and relationships
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.
You do not need to explain every technical detail or share proprietary information. The focus is on how your experiences affect you.
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 we can do in a session
Suppose feedback in a review leaves you unsettled for several days. We could separate the feedback itself from the story that follows it. Did you hear a request to develop a skill, or a prediction that you will lose your place? What do you then do: check more, hide uncertainty, withdraw, or work late?
We can explore what that response is trying to protect and how it affects you. A practical next step might involve asking a clarifying question, choosing a realistic stopping point, or noticing when additional preparation becomes another way of postponing a conversation.
I can work with your preference for concrete examples and careful thinking. We can also pay attention to emotions, physical reactions, and relationships that are difficult to understand through analysis alone. You do not need to explain proprietary details for us to discuss the experience.
Questions you may be asking
Will you understand my work if it is highly technical?
You can give me the context that matters. Our focus is how the situation affects you, how you respond, and what you want to change, rather than evaluating a technical solution.
Can therapy address anxiety about layoffs or career changes?
We can work on the uncertainty, self-criticism, and relationship strain around a transition. We can also explore your priorities and what is within your control while decisions remain unresolved.
What if I can describe my feelings logically but still feel stuck?
That is a useful starting point. We can examine a specific moment more closely and consider what you notice in your reactions, behavior, and relationships beyond the explanation you already have.
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.