Play therapy and counseling for children, teens, adults, and families
James Strickland, PhD, LPC-S, BC-TMH, RPT
Meeting children, teens, and adults right where they are.
When a child is anxious, angry, grieving, withdrawing, or struggling at school, parents often know something is wrong without knowing how to help. James creates a safe, developmentally appropriate space where each client, child or adult, can express what they need and begin to move toward healing.
- Best fit
- Children's anxiety and depression, grief, school stress, behavior, trauma, parent child concerns, and life transitions
- Ages
- Children 3+, adolescents, adults, and older adults
- Services
- Individual, family, and play therapy
- Format
- In person in Ridgeland and telehealth when clinically appropriate
- Faith
- Faith integration is situational and directed by the client or family
A child's behavior is often communicating a need.
Meltdowns, school refusal, sadness, aggression, withdrawal, or sudden changes in behavior can leave caregivers worried and exhausted. A child may not be able to explain what is happening, and repeated questions can sometimes make the distance feel even greater.
James is a Registered Play Therapist with graduate level training in counseling children. He partners with children and caregivers to understand what the behavior may be communicating, strengthen coping skills, and restore a greater sense of safety and connection.
A language of therapy that fits each client
Play is one of the primary ways children process experience, practice new skills, and communicate their internal world. James uses both directive and child-centered play therapy, along with cognitive behavioral and trauma-informed approaches, to meet children at their developmental level.
He also works with adolescents and adults who need a calm, collaborative place to process depression, trauma, grief, family concerns, caregiving, or life transitions. Across ages, his goal is to create a safe partnership where clients feel heard and can move toward the freedoms they desire.
Areas of focus
- Adolescent and adult depression, grief, trauma, and family concerns
- Anger, behavior concerns, and parent child relationship strain
- Childhood anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation
- Grief, loss, trauma, and childhood adverse experiences
- Parent guidance and family therapy
- School refusal, academic stress, bullying, and social skills
What you can work toward
- Help a child communicate feelings more safely
- Build coping and emotional regulation skills
- Understand the need beneath difficult behavior
- Strengthen trust between children and caregivers
- Reduce distress around school, peers, or transitions
- Restore hope and forward movement after trauma or loss
What therapy with James is like
James primarily uses client-centered and cognitive behavioral approaches. His specialized child work includes nondirective and directive play therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and caregiver collaboration. He is also trained in Brainspotting for trauma related concerns.
A simple way to begin
1. Reach out
Choose Request an Appointment with James, or call 601-707-5550. Our team will listen and help confirm the fit.
2. Meet your therapist
Share what is happening, ask questions, and identify what you want to change.
3. Move forward together
Build a plan, practice useful skills, and adjust the work as you grow.
About James
James has worked as a counselor since 2008 in public mental health, inpatient treatment, college counseling centers, and private practice. He also serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling at Mississippi Christian University. He and his wife live in Madison and are active in their church. They enjoy traveling, the outdoors, time at the gym, and walking their Australian Shepherd, Scout.
Education, credentials, and specialized training
- Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Mississippi
- Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi
- Bachelor of Arts, Mississippi College
- Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
- Registered Play Therapist
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training
- Brainspotting trained
- Member of the Association for Play Therapy, the Mississippi Association for Play Therapy, and the Mississippi Counseling Association
Faith and counseling
James integrates faith and spirituality into sessions when a client asks for it.
Take the next step
Ready to see if James is the right fit? Choose Request an Appointment with James, or call 601-707-5550.
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