Counseling professional weighs in on self-care podcast
Stephanie McClaskey
November 19, 2021
Last week’s self-care tips & tools podcast featured Thomas Payne-Brewer, Counselor at Illinois Central College. Tom has been counseling students on campus for over two years. He shares his experience of getting into the field of counseling. He also discusses tips and tools to practice in regards to self-care.
Tom tells listeners how he interned at ICC as a counselor. After finishing his degree at Bradley University, he was pleased to get back to ICC to begin his career and continue helping cougars through the obstacles that come up in day-to-day life. Tom shares his experience related to the struggles students face, as he was a student not too long ago.
The stigma surrounding seeking counseling was the main talking point during this podcast, as it is essential to realize it is only human nature to have ups and downs in life. These ups and downs do not need and are not meant to be faced alone. “Most people can find some benefit in counseling,” Tom states.
It is not a sign of weakness to seek a place of refuge when it feels like your world is spinning out of control. We all face these times when the burden of life is just too heavy to carry alone. Counseling is intended to provide that safe place and offers a person who has your best interest in mind. Tom says, “It’s a sign of strength to be putting action behind getting better, to go beyond the I want to get better into a place of I’m working to get better.”
If you or someone you know is struggling in life right now, feel free to reach out to Tom or one of his colleagues for on-campus counseling. You can find them located in the Career Center, contact them by phone by calling 309-694-5281 or schedule an appointment online at icc.edu/counseling.
If you are interested in hearing more click here to listen to the full podcast.