Profile / United States
James Rusk, LICSW
West Virginia
LICSW - Stress and Anxiety focus
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Mindfulness practice
About James
James Rusk, LICSW, has 17 years of clinical experience and practices in West Virginia. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction concerns, bipolar mood challenges, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting strain, career questions, self-esteem problems, and compassion fatigue. He also supports people in the LGBT community and those coping with life changes.
Rusk uses straightforward conversation to notice how stories about the past and future shape day-to-day feelings. He emphasizes being present and noticing unhelpful patterns of thought and action. Sessions focus on practical steps clients can try between meetings to test different ways of responding.
His approach draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people recognize thoughts and choose meaningful responses. He also brings client-centered and existential perspectives to questions about purpose and values. Mindfulness practices are used to slow down reactivity and increase awareness of choices.
Rusk describes therapy as a partnership. Clients are treated as experts on their own lives while he offers tools and lenses to see situations differently. He avoids pushing a set agenda and works to reduce the struggle people have with their internal experience.
Sessions often move from identifying specific thoughts or habits to trying small experiments that test whether those patterns help or hinder daily life. Over time this can change how people act in relationships, at work, and with themselves.
How James uses CBT and ACT for online sessions
James often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions so clients can try small experiments and see what changes in daily life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is used to clarify values and build willingness to act despite difficult thoughts or feelings; it focuses on what matters and on taking action toward those goals.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. He will discuss options and try approaches based on a client's goals, needs, and preferences. That collaborative process means the plan can shift as a client learns what works and what does not.
The biography does not specify session delivery methods, so confirm current session options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, and allow short check-ins when needed. Phone sessions may be useful when video is difficult, and video sessions support face-to-face interaction for skill practice and live feedback.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
17+ years
Listed in
West Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he commonly help with?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, bipolar mood issues, relationship and intimacy problems, parenting strain, self-esteem and career concerns.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He works in partnership with clients, using clear conversation to notice unhelpful thoughts and try small behavioral experiments between sessions.
What is his clinical background?
He has 17 years of clinical experience in agency, private practice, and medical settings and brings multiple therapeutic perspectives to his work.
What credentials and location apply to his practice?
He is a LICSW licensed in West Virginia and practices there.
In what languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.