ABOUT ME

Building Stronger Relationships Through Play

My name is James “Jamie” Carroll, and the most important role in my life is being a parent and grandparent. My grandson, who is five years old, has overcome significant medical challenges since birth. Spending time with him—playing outside, reading books, baking, swimming, finger painting, and riding bikes—continually reminds me how children grow, heal, and connect through relationships and play.

These experiences are not separate from my professional work. They are central to how I understand children, caregivers, and the importance of feeling safe, understood, and supported.

How I Came to This Work

I grew up in a small rural community in Central Illinois and entered the Army immediately after high school. At that time, I never planned to become a counselor. My path eventually led me to study psychology, where I became deeply interested in how people think, relate, and make sense of their experiences.

Early in my career, I worked with adolescents in state care, including youth who had experienced abuse, neglect, and significant disruption in their lives. These experiences shaped my understanding of trauma, development, and the limits of traditional “talk therapy” approaches when working with children and families.

Parenting Changed Everything

Later, I adopted my son from the foster care system. Like many children with early adversity, he struggled with emotional regulation, memory, and language. I vividly remember moments of embarrassment—being more focused on how I appeared as a parent and counselor than on what my child truly needed in those moments.

One experience, in particular, changed how I understood our relationship and my role as his caregiver. It shifted my focus away from punishment and toward protection, connection, and guidance. That shift profoundly influenced both my parenting and my clinical work.

My Clinical Focus Today

I entered private practice in 2008, and over time my work became increasingly focused on children, trauma, attachment, and early relational experiences. While support and listening are important, I learned they are often insufficient for children whose nervous systems and development have been shaped by stress, neglect, or loss.

My work today integrates:

Relationship-centered play therapy
Trauma-informed care
Developmentally responsive approaches
Caregiver involvement and reflection

I have pursued advanced training in modalities that support regulation, integration, and relational repair, including EMDR, somatic approaches, attachment-focused therapies, and child-centered play therapy. I am a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and continue to prioritize ongoing learning and consultation.

In 2019, I completed a graduate certificate in Infant and Family Mental Health, further grounding my work in early development and caregiver–child relationships.

How I Work With Families

At the heart of my approach is a belief that children change within relationships. My role is not to “fix” children, but to help children and caregivers better understand one another, respond with greater clarity, and repair when things go wrong.

I work collaboratively with parents and caregivers, offering perspective and guidance so that support continues beyond the therapy room. My practice is grounded in respect, reflection, and the belief that meaningful change happens when caregivers feel supported—not judged.

Education

Graduate Certificate in Infant/Family Mental Health
M.A. in Professional Counseling
B.A. in Psychology

Licensure & Certifications

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (Illinois)
Licensed Professional Counselor (Missouri)
National Certified Counselor
Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Master Addiction Counselor
Approved Clinical Supervisor
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)

Location & Contact

My office is located in Belleville, Illinois, at
131 Lincoln Place Court, Suite 406.

You can reach me at 618-631-2683 or at jamie@counselor.hush.com

If you are seeking play therapy or child counseling and want to learn more about whether my approach may be a good fit for your family, you are welcome to reach out.