Dr. Thomas: a profile on counseling education

Fort Worth, TX

1/30/2009

Dr. Frank Thomas recalls one of his favorite aspects of teaching is seeing his students make connections with what they learned in the classroom when they are out in the real world.

“I love to see my students apply the ideas and theories they learned in the classroom because it gives them a better understanding of theories and really sharpens their abilities as teachers,” said Thomas, associate professor in TCU’s counselor education program.

Thomas also enjoys when his students apply their personal experiences as they prepare to become counselors.

“These students realize they can apply their experiences with death, divorce or child abuse to what we learn in the classroom,” Thomas said. “The classroom doesn’t have all of the answers, and they get that.”

Thomas encourages his students to do a lot of learning outside of the classroom at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, religious ceremonies and neighborhood gatherings, to name a few. He believes these “eye opening” experiences will better prepare his students for their careers after graduation.

“Our students will be teaching disenfranchised students in their student teaching and when they enter the work force,” said Thomas. “Exposing them to different family forms will really help them in the future.”

Thomas’ research areas focus on the experiences of people receiving counseling services. He said his research is directly applicable to his teaching.

“What I find in my research immediately impacts what I’m teaching. We can apply theories or new ideas to classroom instruction,” he said.

“I love the collegiality of TCU’s faculty as well as the support from administration about new ideas and research,” said Thomas. “The people at TCU are really sincere. It sounds trite, but it’s true.”

Thomas, who earned tenure in the College of Education last spring, obtained his Ph.D. in family therapy from Texas Tech University. His master’s in divinity is from Sioux Falls Seminary and his bachelor’s degree in sociology/social work is from the University of South Dakota.

In his spare time, Thomas enjoys digital photography, calling himself a “serious amateur.” He is working on his black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art.

His wife Lori, is an attorney in Fort Worth and their daughter, Allison, is a wildlife biologist.