FAQs

How do I choose a counselor?

The counselors of the Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center are either licensed by the state, in the process of completing state requirements, or in their Master’s level work. You can find out more about each of our counselors on the Meet the Counselors page. There you can read about each counselor’s background, passion and training. If you would like further information, our administrative staff will help you.

How do I set up an appointment?

Once you have an idea of the counselor you would like, you can call our office at 713.335.6462. This is also the contact number if you are attending therapy at one of the other campuses. Our administrative staff will be happy to assist you. Inform the front desk staff of the counselor you would like to see and the time or day that best works for you. You will be asked some general information so that we can give you a courtesy call the day prior to your appointment. Due to the client loads of some our counselors you may need to be flexible in your time or day. You may also need to have a second and third choice of counselor whom you would be interested in seeing.

What are the fees? Do you take insurance? How do I pay?

The fees at the counseling center are $55 per session for members Houston's First Baptist Church and $110 per session for non-members. We also have a reduced fee if you choose to see a Practicum Student or a Consultant. The fee for both of these is $45 for HFBC members and $85 for non-church members. We do see the work that we do at the counseling center as a ministry and want to help anyone we can. If finances are an issue, you may discuss this with your counselor in your first session. Our administrative staff cannot offer you a reduced rate or insure any help. We do not take insurance, but we will print off a bill for you to file with your insurance provider (once the counselor has provided the administrative staff with a diagnosis code). Let your counselor or the administrative staff know if you need a bill for insurance. Payments by cash, check, credit or debit card are accepted. If you are receiving counseling at one of our other campuses you can pay by credit/debit card at the time of making/confirming your appointment. Counselors will not be taking payments at the different campuses.

How early do I have to show up? Is there paperwork to fill out?

It will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete the necessary paperwork. This may be done before you come, or at the office. For child and adolescent clients, if you are not the biological parent of the child, or in the case of divorce, we need the documentation that shows you have the legal right to decide on psychological care for the child. In some cases, additional paperwork is needed, and the administrative staff will make you aware of this when you make the appointment.

Where is the counseling center? How do I get there? Where do I park?

The Loop

Park in the South lot and use the bank of three elevators near the southwest entrance of the church. The Counseling Center is on the sixth floor in Suite 600. The Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center is located at 7401 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX within Houston's First Baptist Church

Cypress

When you arrive, enter through the main doors of the church. Look left towards the security desk and either ask for directions or follow the hallway left. When the hallway dead ends, turn right, and the counseling center will be directly on your left in room 142.

Sienna

No in-person counseling is available at the Sienna campus currently. A new space for counseling at the Sienna campus is under development. Our temporary Sienna office is located near LJ Parkway and University Blvd in Riverstone (10 minutes away from the Sienna campus). To obtain detailed instructions for this location, contact our office at 713.335.6462.

Is there childcare?

Unfortunately we do not offer childcare at any of the campuses.

When are appointments available?

The normal business hours of the Counseling Center at the Loop location are Mon–Thu @ 8a–7p, and Fri @ 8a–2:30p. The Counseling Center is closed on Saturdays, and Sunday appointments are available on a limited basis and are usually reserved for premarital counseling.

Counseling services at the Cypress Campus are currently Mon–Thu @ 8a-5p.

In-person counseling services are not currently available at the Sienna campus. Contact our office at 713.335.6462 to determine current hours & locations for Sienna’s counseling ministry.

What else does the counseling center offer?

Diagnostic assessment, consultation, preparation for marriage classes, and referral to specialists in the community are also offered. Issues requiring long term care are referred to alternate community resources.

Additionally, counselors are available to teach classes and present seminars on a wide variety of topics to church related groups. Frequently requested topics include: addictive behaviors, marriage and family enrichment, money management, parenting issues, separation and divorce, spiritual concerns, and vocational/educational choices.

We also offer various support groups led by lay people in the church. We have a Pre-marital Program for couples interested in pursuing a healthy start to God’s institution of marriage. Spiritual Direction Marriage Intensives are another offering of the counseling center. These are an all-day spiritual searching for depth and peace in marriage. To learn more, click here.

What about confidentiality?

By state laws we are bound to confidentiality. Each counselor’s informed consent gives the details of the confidentiality.

What do all the letters after the names mean?