Dr. Mark Chustz , LICSW

Dr. Mark Chustz is a licensed clinician with 34 years of experience helping people navigate challenging life transitions and intense emotional experiences. As an LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker), he brings long-standing clinical skill to work with concerns such as addiction, relationship difficulties, grief, questions about life purpose, and the pursuit of personal growth.

He works with individuals facing social anxiety, workplace stress, midlife shifts, and other interpersonal challenges, and has particular experience with men's issues, caregiver strain, mood disorders, and recovery from trauma. His practice addresses a broad range of concerns including intimacy and family dynamics, parenting and fatherhood issues, coping with loss, and the stresses that accompany major life changes.

Dr. Chustz emphasizes a compassionate, collaborative style that centers on understanding and empowerment. He creates a supportive environment in which clients can explore their difficulties, learn practical coping strategies, and pursue meaningful change. Whether the work focuses on rebuilding relationships, addressing addiction, or managing anxiety and depression, he aims to walk alongside clients as they move toward greater resilience and clarity.

Therapeutic approaches and flexible online care

Dr. Mark Chustz draws from Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Emotionally-Focused Therapy to tailor work to each person's needs. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an accepting, nonjudgmental space where the individual leads the exploration of concerns and personal goals - it is useful for building self-understanding and confidence. CBT is a practical, skills-oriented approach that helps identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and replace them with more adaptive strategies, often used for anxiety, depression, and stress management. Emotionally-Focused Therapy is designed to help people understand and change emotional responses within relationships, making it helpful for couples work and intimacy-related issues.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Chustz works with clients to assess their needs, preferences, and goals, and then adapts methods so therapy fits the person rather than forcing a single model. This collaborative stance supports steady progress and fosters a sense of agency.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, by phone, via live chat, or through text-based messaging - enabling consistent access to licensed professionals despite geographic or scheduling constraints. These options make it easier to maintain momentum in therapy while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.