I’m Thomas Luster, but most people call me Tommy. I'm originally from Stow, Ohio, but I made Florida my home in August 2012. I’m a husband, a dog dad to two rescue pups, a retired professional athlete, and a pastor with more than 20 years of ministry experience. My Christian faith is central to who I am and how I live.

I earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Justice Studies from Kent State University and hold two master’s degrees from Southeastern University: Ministerial Leadership (concentration in Leadership Development) and Professional Counseling. In 2011, I founded Striving Higher Ministries, where I've provided pastoral leadership, church planting, consulting, and emerging-leader development.

Outside of work, I’m a proud Toys “R” Us kid at heart. I enjoy comics—DC gets my vote—anime, gaming, football, MMA, and car shows. You can also find me challenging myself in the gym, discovering new places to travel with my wife, or enjoying the cruise life.

"Striving Higher Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not accept insurance. Upon request, I can provide a superbill—an itemized receipt for counseling services—that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed; please contact your insurer to confirm your plan’s coverage and eligibility requirements."

What Striving Higher Counseling Exists to Provide Striving Relationships. Healing People. A Higher Tomorrow.

Striving Higher Counseling exists to help people work through emotional pain, strengthen their relationships, and move toward lives shaped by greater understanding, purpose, and hope. We pursue that mission by providing: A Safe Place to Strive Forward. A Brave Space to Face the Growth to Go Higher.

A safe place means you can bring your questions, struggles, and unfinished story into a relationship grounded in respect. A brave space invites you to face difficult truths, examine familiar patterns, and practice changes that support your growth. My role is to walk alongside you with care and honesty while helping you take ownership of the steps ahead.

My Approach to Counseling
I founded Striving Higher Counseling and am a Florida Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (registration number IMH29804). My approach is relational, collaborative, and direct. I bring compassion, curiosity, and appropriate humor into the room, along with a willingness to ask meaningful questions and help you face patterns that may be keeping you stuck.

I practice from an integrative orientation, drawing on Adlerian, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered approaches, along with attachment and narrative perspectives. In practical terms, we explore how your experiences have shaped your beliefs, how those beliefs influence your choices, and what happens emotionally and physically when life becomes difficult. Together, we turn that understanding into practical steps you can use beyond the counseling room.

My perspective is psychopneumasomatic, meaning I consider the interconnectedness of mind, spirit, and body. Your relationships, physical well-being, culture, values, and spiritual experiences all deserve consideration as we work toward your goals.

As a Christian counselor, I believe every person bears God’s image and deserves dignity, compassion, and respect. That belief shapes how I show up and care. If you want, and it supports your counseling goals, we can incorporate prayer, Scripture, and conversations about faith. Your beliefs, questions, and readiness guide how explicitly faith becomes part of our work.

Clinical Interests and Who I Aim to Help
My clinical interests include anxiety, depression, grief, trauma-related concerns, attachment and relationship patterns, identity, self-worth, emotional regulation, and values-based boundaries. I also support clients exploring faith, spiritual struggles, and painful experiences within religious settings.

I have a particular heart for:
Men navigating emotional pain, relationship pressures, and expectations that make asking for help difficult.
Teens and young adults, including at-risk, neglected, and abused youth, working through identity, belonging, family challenges, and difficult experiences.

Individuals facing loss, life transitions, people-pleasing, or uncertainty about their direction.
Couples and families seeking healthier communication, stronger connection, premarital preparation, or repair after betrayal.
Pastors, ministry leaders, and their families carrying the personal and relational pressures of serving others.
Athletes and former athletes navigating performance expectations, identity, and life beyond competition.

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(941) 667-7455

strivinghighercounseling.com

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• Sarasota Office
• Virtual
• Fl Virtual
• In-person

Mondays 4 pm - 7 pm
Wednesdays 9 am -3 pm
Fridays 10 am -7pm

M-W-F In-person, located in Downtown Sarasota | T-Th (limited spots Friday evening) Virtual, serving Florida.

• Male

• English

• Individuals
• Couples
• Families

• Adolescents/Teenagers (14 to 19)
• College Students & Adults of All Ages
• Young Adults
• Women
• Men
• Couples

• $101 - $125 per hour
• $151 - $175 per hour

• $151 - $175 per hour
• $201 - $225 per hour