Meet Tony Nichols, LCPC.

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A: I love seeing people enjoy the life that God has given them but for some that can be very challenging. Being a Licensed Mental Health Counselor has allowed me the opportunity to help others who have experienced significant trauma to find joy in their life. As an Associate Director at Cunningham Children’s Home I get to work with adolescence that are in care of DCFS and supervise a lot of awesome staff who make daily sacrifices for the youth. As a Therapist in my private practice at Hope Centered Counseling I have the opportunity to come along side of individuals and families to help them work through difficult challenges so they can experience peace, joy, and healing within themselves and their family.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Champaign-Urbana?

A: I have lived and worked in the area for 8 years.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Champaign-Urbana?

A: Fiesta Cafe and Smokey’s House BBQ.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Champaign-Urbana?

A: I’m not sure.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

A: I enjoy trips to Haiti, Mexico, Wrigley Field, and I love going to the beach whether it’s Caribbean, California, or Michigan City.

Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?

A: I would want to counsel people to love God, work hard, enjoy their life and to teach others to do the same.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: To go sky diving and get a tattoo.

Q: What current/former local business makes you nostalgic about Champaign-Urbana?

A: Urbana Market on Saturday morning, Dallas and Co., and Jupiter’s.

Q: What is something unique about Champaign-Urbana?

A: Champaign-Urbana Days, Street Concerts in Downtown Champaign, Taste of Champaign.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A: I enjoy year ’round baseball with my three boys. I have about 10 more years of being at the Champaign-Urbana baseball fields. I love helping others so continuing to grow professionally and personally to help more people in the area is important to me. I also see myself traveling to more countries and beaches around the world.

Q: (Even for friends and family) what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you ?

A: I thoroughly enjoy art and music (all kinds) but I can’t create it…I’m a horrible artist.

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A: It’s where I create my personal space in the world, rejuvenate, and spend intimate times with my family.

Q: If you have a full time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

A: Physical Fitness Trainer.

Q: Over the past few weeks, where have you seen Champaign-Urbana “Stronger Together”?

A: All the essential employee’s at grocery stores, aides, drivers, nurses, doctors, and the amazing residential counselors and staff I work with each day! I’m also hearing a lot of heroic stories of churches/groups making hundreds of masks and others transporting food to elderly. I feel proud to live and work in a strong community that isn’t afraid to take risks in supporting each other.