Luke Baloga

I’m Luke Baloga, LPC. I grew up in Erie, PA, but Pittsburgh has been home for many years now. I completed my BA in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Duquesne University. Over the past 6+ years, I’ve provided therapy and coaching to individuals, couples, families, and groups in clinical settings, private practice, and in-home work.

Growing up an athlete and working in the fitness world, I’ve seen firsthand how taking care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and socially all connect. I value a holistic approach to wellness—when we work to better ourselves in different areas of life, our mental and emotional health naturally improve. Much of my experience is with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorders, and trauma, but I’m comfortable working with a wide range of concerns.

My approach to therapy is simple in the best way: most of us are already overwhelmed and overcomplicating things. It’s completely normal to feel stuck, stressed, or unsure where to start. Together, we’ll slow things down and ask, “Where can I make change, and how can I make it happen?” Instead of chasing huge, sudden shifts, we’ll focus on smaller, realistic steps—like reaching the first checkpoint on a long hike rather than staring up at the whole mountain.

I draw primarily from Reality/Choice Theory and integrate tools from CBT, DBT, and other evidence-based approaches. We’ll pay close attention to what you can actually control—your routines, self-care, and daily habits—and work toward making those more efficient and supportive. As that foundation becomes steadier, the things outside your control often feel less overwhelming, or you gain new ways to cope with them.

In our first session, you can expect to meet a real person who’s fully present with you, not someone hiding behind a clipboard. I know it’s not easy to open up to someone you’ve never met, so I do my best to create a calm, comfortable space. I’ll ask questions to get to know you, your background, and what brings you in, and I’ll invite you to ask questions about me and what therapy with me might look like. My goal is for us to build a relationship where you feel heard, understood, and supported.

Outside of the therapy room, I’m a huge Pittsburgh sports fan (all teams welcome here) and a lover of athletics in general—there’s always something to learn physically, mentally, and socially from sports. I also enjoy hiking, playing chess, and spending time with my pets. I’d be honored to get to know you and help you navigate the process of change.