Tom Bell is a School Counsellor at BISP. He has been working in the field of mental health for over 15 years with particular experience in working with teens and adults. Tom is a licensed clinical social worker who graduated from the University of Maryland School of Social Work and has been a School Counselor in Thailand for the last seven years and Osaka for two years. 

We took some time to ask Tom a few questions and get to know him better. 

What is your role as a School Counsellor and how do you anticipate the BISP community will connect with you? 

As a counsellor, I will work with students, teachers and parents to make sure that all children are in a positive headspace and ready to learn. You can email me at [email protected] or come by my office in the MTB Room #306. 

What do you enjoy most about working in education?

I love being a calm and supportive force in the school. I basically (most of the time) get to be the good guy. That’s something that really works well with my personality. 

What attracted you to BISP?

Phuket has some of the cleanest air in Thailand! Not to mention a quality education at BISP, an amazing campus and some of the best activities programmes in the world. It was a no-brainer for us to accept a chance to work here!

What’s a professional skill, or area of interest, that you’re keen on developing at BISP? 

As a parent myself, I like having conversations with other parents about how to handle tech use and screen time in the home. It’s a brave new world out there for our children and it feels good to be in it together with others. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I’m obsessed with basketball and reading. Not at the same time. 

What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Kill them with kindness. And when appropriate, humour. 

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Stop taking yourself so seriously! We’re all in this together.