Thomas Luttrell

About Thomas Luttrell

From Burnout to BreakthroughMost people think transformation begins with effort. I thought that too. But somewhere between becoming a therapist ‍, a professor, a pastor, and a husband 🤵—I discovered something wildly counterintuitive: change is a byproduct of grace, not the precondition for it.For years, I tried to “be good,” “do better,” “lead well,” “fix problems.” But I was burned out on trying. It wasn’t until I stopped trying to perform that I actually started healing and becoming authentic.I used to see myself as a change agent.Now I call myself a grace agent. I grew up as a twin, a survivor of violence and bullying, a kid with crooked teeth 🦷 and complicated faith. The church was sometimes confusing—but a drama camp, music, and moments of unexpected kindness were enough to hook my heart. I met God through fog on a riverbank, a mysterious voice over the radio, through firelight in India, through a grief-stricken silence when my father passed, and through therapy.Psychodrama, by the way, wrecked me—in the best possible way.In ONE session (thanks, Jean Campbell), I stepped into a role I had spent decades avoiding—facing the pain, the shame, the yearning for acceptance. That was the turning point. Since then, and with training in experiential Gestalt therapy (mindfulness or awareness-focused), I’ve made it my mission to create spaces where others can show up just as raw and real—and walk out lighter. Now, I guide others into those moments too.Whether I’m counseling couples on the brink 🧩, preaching a message of paradoxical grace, or building a new relational wellness program or ministry —my work is grounded in one conviction: Acceptance comes first. Because until we’re seen, we can’t grow. Until we’re loved, we stay stuck. And until we feel safe, healing will always be theoretical.Degrees and titles? Sure, I’ve got a Ph.D. and M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy, a Theology degree, and licenses in multiple states. But what really shapes my work is the long road I’ve walked with God—through doubt, depression, discovery, and delight. Where Real Success StartsSomething I\'ve learned: You don’t have to chase success to feel whole. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet moments of surrender, when we slow down, breathe deep, and accept where we are, that we finally feel free. Serenity is the foundation. And strangely enough, that’s where real success begins.If you’re looking for someone who blends psychology, faith, story, strategy, and soul—with a little humor and a lot of heart —let’s connect.

Experience

1. CEO, Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist, Coach, and Supervisor

   Higherchange, Llc

   Jan 2020 — Present · Bethesda, MD, US

   I never set out to become a therapist. I just wanted to make a difference in people\'s lives and to understand relationships—especially why they hurt, how they heal, and what makes love last. These desires took me from a career in tech to theology to therapy, and eventually to leading communities where grace isn’t just preached—it’s practiced.At HigherChange, I help individuals, couples, and organizations move from survival to serenity. We do the deep work. The messy work. The “I didn’t know I needed that” work. Using experiential therapy, psychodrama, attachment theory, and a little laughter, I help people process the unspoken stuff that keeps them stuck.I’ve worked with churches, campuses, and groups to bring healing to the places where burnout, loneliness, addiction, or relational chaos have crept in. Whether I’m preaching, coaching, designing a mental health workshop, or sitting with a couple on the edge of collapse—I start with one question: What would happen if you didn’t have to change to be loved?That’s where everything shifts.Key Responsibilities:Deliver individual, couple, and family therapy using experiential models including Gestalt, psychodrama, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and attachment theory.Specializing in relational and intimacy issues, spiritual trauma, burnout, anxiety, and transitions, especially for faith-based and culturally diverse clients.Design and facilitate psychoeducational workshops, coaching programs, and group retreats supporting emotional wellness, leadership, and relational growth.Select Achievements:Founded and scaled a solo private practice that integrates therapy, coaching, and community-building.Developed a scalable group coaching and membership model to expand access to relational healing.Guided clients through transformational experiences that unlock emotional insight and connection across diverse settings, helping teams, couples, and leaders recover peace, purpose, and deeper connection.

Education

• Loma Linda University

  Master of Science (MS), Marriage and Family Therapy

  2007 — 2009

• Loma Linda University

  PhD, Marital & Family Therapy

  2010 — 2016

• Andrews University

  Bachelor's Degree, Theology

  2003 — 2006

Skills

• Gestalt
• Gestalt Psychotherapy
• Emotionally-Focused Therapy
• Group Psychotherapy
• Couples
• Couples Therapy
• Group Counseling
• Group Action Methods
• Psychodrama
• Sociometry, Sociograms & Sociodrama
• Mediation
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Family Life Education
• Motivational Interviewing
• Substance Abuse
• Premarital Counseling
• Bowen Family Systems Theory
• Family Systems Therapy
• Solution Focused
• Multi-Family Group Therapy
• Organizational Development
• Organizational Change
• Organizational Analysis
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Organizational Behavior
• Organizational Leadership
• Leadership Development
• Transformational Leadership
• Emotional Intelligence
• Organizational Systems
• Organizational Consulting
• Public Speaking
• Preaching
• Coldfusion
• Experiential Learning
• Web Applications
• Web Development
• Relational Databases
• Sql