Joy Rumsey, MD, LCSW-C - Therapist in Maryland

About Joy

Joy Rumsey MD, LCSW-C offers calm, practical help for parents and families facing stress and life changes. She focuses on real problems like anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, anger, bipolar mood shifts, and relationship or family challenges. Her approach is straightforward and rooted in hands-on skills rather than jargon.

She invites families to use their own strengths as a starting point for change. In sessions she helps people notice thoughts and feelings that get in the way.

Background and approach

Then she teaches clear tools to manage emotions and behaviors. Techniques come from methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, among others. The goal is better day-to-day functioning and steadier emotional health.

Joy trained as a medical doctor and later earned a Master of Social Work. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Maryland - LCSW-C 25668 - and has practiced for 13 years. Her work has taken place in hospitals, schools, and outpatient settings, giving her experience with a wide range of family and individual needs.

She has specific training in addictions and has led outpatient programs for adults with mood and substance challenges. That experience informs how she supports people through grief, transitions, and difficult family dynamics. Joy frames therapy as a collaborative process where the family’s strengths guide the path forward.

Therapeutic approaches and online options for families

Joy blends several evidence-based methods to help people address stressful family situations and personal struggles. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing them against reality, then practicing new habits that reduce distress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT, teaches skills to notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and to act in line with personal values. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, offers specific emotion regulation and coping skills for intense feelings and conflict.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will work collaboratively to choose and adapt methods based on the family’s goals, current needs, and what feels most useful. Plans are adjusted over time so tools match real-life challenges.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, and text messaging to make therapy more flexible. These options let families fit sessions around school, work, and caregiving. They also allow using skills between meetings through messaging and brief check-ins, supporting steady progress from home or wherever is most convenient.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of family concerns does Joy address?

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

What is her general therapy style?

Joy uses a practical, skills-based approach that emphasizes strengths. She helps people learn concrete tools to manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 13 years of clinical practice across hospitals, schools, and outpatient settings, including leading outpatient programs for mood and substance challenges.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

Joy holds MD and is a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Maryland - LCSW-C 25668. She practices in Maryland.

Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with this therapist?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Anger management
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Depression
Family conflicts
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Trauma and abuse

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 13 years
Licensed: Maryland
Languages: English

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