JBU opens new counseling clinic

John Brown University recently opened its new CARE Clinic, a counseling facility located on the Siloam Springs campus.

The clinic features facilities designed to utilize play therapy, a form of psychotherapy which helps children process complex emotions through playing.

JBU is the first university in Arkansas to provide a certificate in play therapy through the graduate counseling program.

“The new facilities will focus on state of the art training in play therapy techniques for any licensed clinician interested in becoming a registered play therapist,” said Dr. John Carmack, program director for graduate counseling and professor of marriage and family therapy. “Currently, the closest like facilities are in Denton, Texas and in Kansas City.”

The building’s five play therapy suites are located in The Tucker Hill Play Therapy Wing, named in honor of the late grandson of Dr. John Carmack.

“The new play therapy CARE Clinic demonstrates John Brown University’s strong commitment to providing high quality training and to better serving the mental health needs of our communities through the use of play therapy,” said Dr. Charles Romig, professor of counselor education, licensed marriage and family therapist and registered play therapist.


The CARE Clinic is a counseling center with locations in Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith that offers affordable counseling to anyone in the community. The clinic allows JBU's graduate counseling students to gain experience through training and supervision.

More information can be found at www.jbu.edu/careclinic/