Dr. Leigh Rust

Clinical Psychologist

Founder & CEO 

Dr. Leigh Rust is a licensed clinical and school psychologist dedicated to helping children, adolescents, young adults, and families thrive. As the founder and creator of Game On Psychology, he developed an innovative approach for clients who struggle to connect through traditional talk therapy. Drawing on his experience as both a school psychologist and Esports coach, Dr. Rust understands the powerful role that video games can play in building relationships, developing skills, and creating meaningful therapeutic engagement. By integrating gaming into evidence-based treatment, he helps clients improve emotional regulation, social skills, executive functioning, confidence, and resilience in a way that feels natural, motivating, and fun. Dr. Rust utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), play-based interventions, and social-emotional learning strategies to create individualized treatment plans that meet clients where they are. Beyond the therapy office, Dr. Rust is an active member of the Long Island community, collaborating with school districts, Parent University, and Special Education Parent Teacher Associations (SEPTA) to support students and families. His work has been recognized with Long Island Business News' Top Forty Under 40 (2024) and FourLeaf Best of Long Island (2026). Dr. Rust has published articles in ADDitude Magazine, MASK Magazine, and the National Association of School Psychologists' Communiqué. His work and expertise have also been featured in Forbes and InStyle. When he's not working with clients, you'll likely find him spending time with his wife and two children or cheering on the Mets, Jets, Knicks, and Rangers.