James Rusk , LICSW

James Rusk is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in West Virginia with 17 years of clinical experience working with diverse populations across agency, private practice, and medical settings. He practices from a narrative perspective and integrates principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients examine the stories they tell about their past and their future, and to build a more workable relationship with the present.

Rusk emphasizes the importance of meaning making, suggesting that how people interpret their experiences shapes their sense of competence and well-being. He encourages clients to notice when they are struggling against their own experience, which can increase needless suffering, and to cultivate greater willingness to engage in change processes when ready. His approach frames the client as the expert on their own life while he contributes therapeutic lenses informed by narrative thinking and ACT, offering guidance without imposing a list of "shoulds."

Rusk works with individuals facing stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and intimacy challenges, addictions, parenting and career concerns, mood conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue. He aims to create a respectful, compassionate partnership with clients who are willing to explore the deeper material of their inner lives, even when that exploration feels anxious or difficult.

Approach-driven care delivered online

James Rusk draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centered and Mindfulness approaches to guide online work in straightforward, practical ways. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful patterns of avoidance and identify values-guided actions - it is useful for stress, anxiety, and navigating life changes. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and understanding so clients feel heard and supported while they explore personal concerns and relationships. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and gentle attention to thoughts and feelings, which can reduce reactivity and improve coping with difficult emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. James collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting direction as insight and experience develop. The work is a partnership in which the client’s priorities shape the course of therapy.

Online therapy offers flexibility by letting clients meet by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options can make scheduling easier, reduce travel time, and allow consistent access to licensed professionals from different locations, supporting steady progress even when life gets busy.