Thomas Luster

Thomas M. Luster – Graduate Counseling Intern Originally from Stow, Ohio, I bring a unique and diverse background to the counseling field as a retired professional athlete, passionate fitness enthusiast, and pastor with over 20 years of ministry experience. My journey into counseling stems from a deep calling to walk alongside at-risk, neglected, and abused youth—helping them find hope, healing, and purpose for a better tomorrow. After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Justice Studies from Kent State University, I founded Striving Higher Ministries in 2011—a soul care initiative to provide biblical guidance and support within the church community. In 2012, I relocated to Florida and later completed my Master's in Ministerial Leadership at Southeastern University in Lakeland, focusing on leadership development. Over the past eight years, I've expanded my role to include church planting, consulting, and ministry development for emerging leaders, youth pastors, and soul-care teams. Currently, I am pursuing a second master's degree in Professional Counseling at Southeastern University and am on track to become a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern in the state of Florida. I have my eyes set on full licensure as an LMHC in Florida and Ohio. As a Christian counselor, I believe in providing a safe space and a brave space, as counseling is an intimate journey of self-discovery in which true healing takes place. I practice from an Integrative Theoretical Orientation, blending biblical truth with evidence-based techniques from Adlerian, Gestalt, CBT, and Person-Centered modalities. This holistic approach—what I refer to as psychopneumasomatic—addresses the mind, body, and spirit. My foundation is rooted in the belief that healing not only restores but redeems what life has fractured. Integrating Counseling & Faith Faith is central to my practice. I believe that integrating Christian values into the counseling process provides a holistic space for spiritual transformation and restoration. I do this both implicitly—by creating a safe, biblically informed therapeutic environment—and explicitly, through prayer, Scripture, and open conversations about faith and identity. This approach honors the complexity of the human experience while empowering clients to discover their God-given purpose. Special Interests My clinical interests include: - At-risk, foster, and traumatized youth - Troubled teens and their families - Individuals navigating life transitions, grief, and emotional pain - Couples in crisis and pre-marital counseling - Men's mental health and the mission to destigmatize emotional wellness among men I know what it's like to carry pain, and while I may not have lived your exact story, I understand loss. My role is to journey with you—offering empathy, support, and a path toward restoration. Outside the counseling room, I'm a husband of 10 years, a dog dad to two rescue pups, and a proud Toys R' Us kid at heart—into comics (DC fan here!), anime, gaming, and discovering new places with my wife. We're even dipping our toes into the cruise life! I enjoy live sports and events like Football, MMA, car shows, and pushing myself in the gym. But let's be honest—these days, most of my free time is dedicated to textbooks and late-night study sessions.