James Rusk, LICSW

James Rusk is a licensed clinical social worker with 17 years of experience. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, addiction concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, career questions, mood disorders like depression and bipolar, and compassion fatigue.

James practices in West Virginia and works with English-speaking clients, including international appointments when needed. He blends straightforward conversation with practical tools so people can manage symptoms and make clearer choices in daily life.

His approach centers on looking at the stories people tell about themselves. He draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas to help people notice unhelpful thinking patterns and choose actions that match their values. He also uses client-centered and existential ideas to keep sessions focused on each person’s goals and meaning.

Sessions tend to be collaborative and down-to-earth. He aims to help people become more present with their experience while reducing needless struggle. Work may include examining thoughts, practicing mindful skills, and trying small behavioral steps between sessions.

James describes therapy as a partnership where the client is the expert on their life. He asks practical questions, listens for what matters to each person, and helps translate insight into everyday changes. To begin, people follow the site process to match and schedule a session.

How these approaches translate to online care

James uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy alongside a client-centered stance to guide online work. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress by teaching concrete skills to test and alter thinking. ACT emphasizes noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and choosing actions that align with personal values, which can be useful for coping with life changes, grief, and ongoing mood concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and situation. That decision is flexible and may change as the client tries different strategies and sees what helps most.

Online sessions are available by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more accessible. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and skill demonstrations. Phone calls are an option when bandwidth or being on camera is difficult. Live chat and text messaging offer shorter check-ins or ongoing support between longer sessions. These formats let people fit therapy into busy schedules and maintain contact from different locations.