In-Person in Nashville, TN 37203
Online in New York,
PSYPACT states
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, CNMI, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
I work with high achievers, professionals, executives, and driven individuals who look capable on the outside but feel overwhelmed, self-critical, or stuck in constant overthinking. You may be managing career pressure, anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, procrastination, relationship stress, or difficulty setting boundaries. Even when things look successful from the outside, it can feel exhausting to keep pushing while privately second-guessing yourself.
My approach is practical, direct, and focused on helping you make meaningful changes in your day-to-day life. We will work on understanding the patterns that keep you stuck, building confidence in your decisions, improving boundaries, managing stress more effectively, and creating a healthier relationship with work, achievement, and responsibility. The goal is not just insight, but real progress.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian, Black / African American, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Hispanic / Latino, Jewish, LDS/Mormon, Men, Middle Eastern, Military / Veterans, Muslim, Native American, Pacific Islander, Persons with Disabilities, Sikh, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Behavioral Therapy Uses learning techniques like reinforcement and practice to change unwanted behaviors. It is often applied to phobias, anxiety, and habits.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Integrative Therapy Combines techniques from multiple approaches into a customized plan. It adapts to each client’s unique situation and needs.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
Approach Description: My approach is practical, collaborative, and focused on helping you make meaningful changes in your day-to-day life. I help clients better understand the patterns that keep them stuck, including overthinking, perfectionism, avoidance, people-pleasing, self-doubt, and difficulty setting boundaries.
Together, we will work on building more confidence in your decisions, managing stress more effectively, improving follow-through, and creating a healthier relationship with work, achievement, and responsibility. I aim to offer a balance of insight, honest feedback, and concrete strategies you can actually use.
The goal is not just to feel heard, but to leave therapy with more clarity, stronger coping skills, better boundaries, and a greater sense of control in both your personal and professional life.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 250
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- I offer some sliding scale slots on a limited basis. Reach out to see if any slots are available.
- Out of Network
Education & Credentials
Dr. Joe Rustum PsyD, License Psychologist
- Male
- License # 3764
- Licensed in Tennessee
- PSYPACT Mobility # 13762
- Practicing Since 2017
Education: I completed my PsyD in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, where I received broad training in psychological assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and evidence-based treatment. My education included comprehensive coursework, supervised clinical practice, and training
Dr. Joe Rustum Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Nashville, TN 37203
- Available Online for residents of New York, PSYPACT states Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, CNMI, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
- Online Therapy Details: I offer online therapy through Google Meeting or secure phone calls.
My practice is designed for high-achieving professionals, executives, business owners, and driven individuals who want therapy that is thoughtful, practical, and results-oriented. Many of my clients are dealing with anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, career stress, leadership pressure, relationship challenges, or difficulty slowing down. They are often capable and successful, but internally feel overwhelmed, overextended, or frustrated that they are not operating the way they want to.
In therapy, we focus on identifying what is keeping you stuck and building a realistic plan for change. This may include improving time management, reducing procrastination, strengthening boundaries, managing stress, improving communication, making decisions with more confidence, and developing a more sustainable approach to work and life. I aim to be collaborative and direct, offering honest feedback and practical strategies while also helping you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and patterns.
I also work with clients navigating relationship concerns, life transitions, depression, OCD, ADHD, trauma, and career-related challenges. My style is especially well-suited for people who want therapy to feel useful, focused, and connected to real-world demands. We will regularly check in on your goals and make sure our work is helping you move in the direction you want.
I offer individual and couples therapy, with in-person sessions available in Tennessee and online therapy available in New York and many other states through PsyPact. I also provide executive coaching for professionals and leaders seeking support with confidence, communication, decision-making, follow-through, and leadership under pressure. Prospective clients are welcome to reach out for a free consultation to see whether my approach is a good fit.