About Thomas Luster
Focus areas
Betrayal Trauma
Marriage Conflict Resolution
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Childhood Trauma
Men's Mental Health Issues
Young Adult Issues
Integrative Psychotherapy
Relationship Counseling
Clientele seen
Teenagers (13-17)
Individuals
Young adults (18-24)
Couples
Adults (25-64)
Families
Treatment approaches
Adlerian
Christian Counseling
Applied Behavioral Analysis
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Attachment-based
Dialectical (DBT)
Identity
Gender
MaleFaith
ChristianLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Thomas Luster
Striving Relationships. Healing People. A Higher Tomorrow.
This mission is completed by proving a Safe Place to Strive Forward. A Brave Space to Face the Growth to Go Higher.
I bring a background that blends professional counseling, more than two decades of pastoral leadership, and experience as a former professional athlete. Those experiences have shaped how I understand resilience, identity, relationships, pressure, personal responsibility, and the reality that meaningful growth often requires both support and honest self-examination.
As the founder of Striving Higher Counseling, I work with teens, adults, couples, and families facing concerns such as anxiety, trauma, relationship conflict, shame, identity struggles, emotional disconnection, life transitions, and spiritual concerns. I also have a particular interest in working with men, young adults, athletes, pastors, and ministry leaders.
My goal is to help clients move beyond simply managing symptoms toward greater self-awareness, healthier relationships, stronger emotional functioning, and a clearer sense of who they are and how they want to live. I value authenticity, dignity, personal responsibility, and creating a counseling relationship where people feel seen, respected, and capable of meaningful change.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Clients can expect a counseling style that is relational, direct, compassionate, and practical. I believe counseling should be both a safe place where you can be honest without judgment and a brave space where you can face the patterns, wounds, beliefs, or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck.
I use an integrative approach rather than forcing every client into one therapeutic model. Depending on your needs, our work may draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-based approaches, Adlerian, Person-Centered, Narrative, Gestalt, solution-focused strategies, psychoeducation, and other evidence-based methods. My goal is to help you understand not only what you are experiencing, but also why certain patterns continue and what practical changes can help you move forward.
I approach counseling from a whole-person perspective, recognizing the connection between thoughts, emotions, relationships, behaviors, physical well-being, values, and spirituality. I am a Christian counselor, and faith can be incorporated through prayer, Scripture, or spiritual discussion when that is something you want. It is never forced, and your beliefs, values, and autonomy are respected.
You do not need to come to your first session with everything figured out. We will take time to understand your story, what brought you to counseling, what you would like to change, and what strengths you already bring into the process. Counseling is collaborative—you will be supported, challenged when appropriate, and given practical tools you can use outside the counseling room.
Thomas Luster, MS is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
More information on payments and coverage
Individual Counseling: $125 / 50 minutes | $175 / 80 minutes
Couples Counseling: $175 / 50 minutes | $225 / 80 minutes
Family Counseling: $200 / 50 minutes
Insurance: Private pay; insurance is not billed directly
Superbills: Available upon request for possible out-of-network reimbursement
Sliding Scale: Limited availability based on financial need and counselor availability
Office location
Education and background
Practice names
- Striving Higher Counseling
Education and training
- Southeastern University, Master's in Professional Counseling
- Kent State University, Bachelor's
Professional memberships
- American Counseling Association
- American Association of Christian Counselors
- Alpha Chi Honors Society
- Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association
NPI number
1336553049
How soon can I make an appointment with Thomas Luster?
Generally, Thomas Luster has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Thomas Luster's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Thomas Luster accepting new patients?
Thomas Luster generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Thomas Luster's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Thomas Luster accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Thomas Luster is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Thomas Luster online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Thomas Luster using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Thomas Luster work with?
Thomas Luster works with Striving Higher Counseling.
Where is Thomas Luster's office located?
Thomas Luster's office is located at 1487 2nd St, Sarasota, FL 34236.
What are common reasons for patients to see Thomas Luster?
Thomas Luster frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Thomas Luster on their profile.
What languages does Thomas Luster speak?
Thomas Luster speaks English.