Cool tears roll down cheeks. Anxiety releases its grip. Relief blooms between two private individuals in a singular space. Counseling has saved many lives in various ways. It provides everyone a chance to expand their minds and find ways to cope with whatever they are currently enduring. As the world grows more chaotic and uncertain, many turn to counselors for aid or wisdom. Everyone needs a bit of help every now and then. So, the professors in the counseling program at Rosemont College is among many that prepare students who want to help others for the journey ahead.

Aiding Others In & Out of the Classroom

Dr. Thomas DeGeorge strives to help others in a variety of ways. As a professor of counseling courses as well as the supervisor and director of Rosemont’s counseling center, his schedule is full. Yet, he always finds time to meet with his students and external clients. In this current semester, he is teaching family and couple’s therapy, Internship II, and group counseling courses. Meanwhile, next semester, he will teach diagnostics and treatment as well as legal and ethical issues. For the latter course, Tom ensures that his students receive the best experiences to enhance their knowledge in the legal system. He says with a glimmer in his eyes, “I invite someone who has legal experience to talk about any licensed professional counselors.” That way, students learn how the system works and how to abide to it.

Returning to His Roots

Originally from the Philadelphia area, Professor DeGeorge found himself around Pittsburg. There, he built a family and career for around thirty years. Once his children had expanded their own lives and families, Tom explains with a smile, “I found an opportunity to return to this area. I came out for an interview. Wasn’t expecting to make that transition. [But] things just fell into place, which often happens when we’re not looking for it.” Together, he and his wife moved back to the Philadelphia area, and they have been here for the past eight years.

A Community of Support & Growth

Having already spent a portion of his life growing his own career, Tom explains with fondness in his eyes, “I felt [Rosemont] would be a good place to go into those final years of where I want to be. There was room to continue my private practice…[and] the flexibility to pursue other research or present at conferences was very open and fluent here.” Rosemont’s constant support allowed Professor DeGeorge to explore many different areas of counseling. In turn, he improves his own knowledge to pass to his students. This collaboration creates a better generation of counselors.

Connecting Students to the World

Professor DeGeorge’s courses aren’t the only option students have for their journey in counseling. Through internships, students are able to gain even more experiences with clients of their own. They can also prepare for their own careers. Partnering with University of Pennsylvania and Temple, Tom helps students learn as much as possible before they explore the world with their newfound education. “To have interns come into the program, we try to stay local,” Tom says with a slow nod. “[But] with jobs, they may have to relocate, so I’m connected with a lot of different networks, and I share a lot of that information.”

The Benefits of a Wonderful Profession

Professor DeGeorge yearns for his students to find open minds and expanding hearts. “I hope they are able to embrace the richness of being a therapist,” Tom says with fondness in his voice. “[Counselors] operate in a wonderful profession. We hear stories that no one else hears. We have such a richness in the clients we meet.” Furthermore, Tom meets a wide variety of students attending Rosemont. “Our undergrad program attracts a diverse group of students…We have a lot of students [in the grad program] who are working full-time [and] have families. It’s a great mix of students that we have, so that was [is] encouraging to me.”

The Courage of Counseling

A favorite quote that Tom shares with his students and others is, “Courage is at the root of change, and change is what we are designed to do.” He reminds everyone with compassion, “We are still imperfect, but enjoy the journey and realize that there are so many great experiences out there…Enjoy the people you meet along the way.” Tom then laughs and adds, “Until they become annoying, and you move on.”

Rosemont students have inspired Tom just as much as he’s inspired them. He shakes his head and says with pride in his voice, “I see [graduate students] working for two and a half to three years, having [outside] jobs, having families…and still holding on to the very thing that got them there.” The recognition of the students’ strength keeps them striding through their journeys. At the same time, Professor DeGeorge’s kindness and passion helps increase that strength as they explore ways to help others out in this ever changing world.

The Keeper of the Sacred

Tom DeGeorge is one of many professional counselors who helps humans through both the good and bad experiences in life. By exploring how to help others, he is expanding others’ knowledge and encouraging students to hold the same compassionate values that are expected in the field of counseling. “We’re the keeper of the sacred,” Tom says with a wide smile. Forever working towards a better world with healthy humans, counselors strive to aid anyone and everyone. Thanks to Professor DeGeorge, Rosemont College contains a wide variety of counselors attending to clients around the country, spreading compassion and understanding to anyone who is willing to listen.