Joy Rumsey

Practical, collaborative therapy for life changes

MD, LCSW-C Maryland

Experience: 13 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Joy

Joy Rumsey centers her work on helping people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or ready for change. She meets clients who want practical strategies to manage anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, anger, relationship and family challenges, bipolar mood concerns, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

Joy emphasizes collaboration and draws on a client s existing strengths to set realistic goals and build skills that support long-term emotional and functional wellbeing. She uses evidence-informed techniques to address unhelpful thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, guiding clients toward concrete tools they can use outside of sessions.

Joy holds both an MD and a Master of Social Work and is licensed in Maryland as an LCSW-C. Over 13 years she has practiced in hospitals, schools, inpatient and outpatient programs, and independent practice, with specialized training in addictions and extensive experience leading outpatient services for adults facing mood and substance use challenges.

Her background includes work with individuals and families on grief, spiritual concerns, self-harm behaviors, and complex family dynamics. Joy invites people who are ready to engage in change to begin a collaborative process focused on practical skills and meaningful progress.

Therapeutic approaches and online options

Joy integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into online work to offer practical tools and values-driven change. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. ACT helps clients clarify what matters most and build psychological flexibility so they can take meaningful action despite difficult emotions.

She also uses elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy when emotion regulation and interpersonal skills are priorities, teaching concrete techniques for managing intense feelings and improving relationships. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she works collaboratively with each client to tailor methods to their goals, needs, and preferences rather than applying a single model by default.

Online therapy with Joy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase accessibility and support different schedules. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice skills between sessions, and fit therapy into a busy life while working with a licensed professional in Maryland who brings 13 years of clinical experience.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Joy address in therapy?

She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, low self esteem, depression, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, anger, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapeutic style and approach?

Her style is collaborative and skills-focused, blending approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Internal Family Systems to help clients change behaviors and manage difficult emotions.

What is Joy's professional background and experience?

She has 13 years of clinical experience working in hospitals, schools, inpatient and outpatient programs, and independent practice, including leadership in outpatient addiction services.

Which credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

Joy holds MD and LCSW-C credentials and is licensed in Maryland with licence number MD LCSW-C 25668.

Does she offer services in other languages or accept international clients?

Joy provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for online work?

Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different preferences and schedules.

How is cost handled for sessions with this therapist?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions operate through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working with Joy?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changes

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingInternal Family Systems

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

Maryland

Languages

English