Nathaniel Custer, MS, MA

Therapist

Nathaniel Custer, MS, MA, is a nationally board certified counselor. He has his Masters in Marriage, Couples and Family Therapy from CACREP-accredited Messiah University as well as in Rehabilitation Sciences from Clarion University. Nathaniel works with children, adolescents and adults facing complex traumas and PTSD.

Nathaniel is an adjunct faculty member of Clarion University where he has taught in the Rehabilitation and Human Services Department and worked as a clinician in the Counseling Center. Nathaniel was also a Faculty Advisor for the Clarion Venango Allies, supporting the LGBTQ community. He works as a Readjustment Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist at the Springfield Vet Center, helping combat veterans and their families with issues related to PTSD and trauma.

Nathaniel believes in a family systems approach to therapy and deems troubles in families as a problem in the relational context of the family system, rather than a problem with one person. He cultivates an open and accepting therapeutic atmosphere that allows individuals, couples and families a contextualized understanding of their journey and utilizes their core strengths as an avenue to healing. He is certified in Eco-Systemic Structural Family Therapy (ESFT), an evidence-based treatment that is systemic, strength-based and trauma-informed, and is designed to help individuals and families change their relationships and behaviors. Additionally, he utilizes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Attachment Therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).

Nathaniel has worked as a Family-Based Mental-Health Director, Outpatient Clinician, Family Therapist, and Trauma Therapist for children and adolescents, as well as with groups for Domestic Abuse and for criminal offenders, helping the latter with rehabilitation and community reintegration.

Nathaniel believes in the inherent value of each and every individual who chooses to seek out therapy and especially in the acceptance of those populations who have historically been marginalized or mistreated. He helps clients find understanding in who they are and to find hope for their future.