About Joel
I earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University in 2012 and began practicing therapy full-time in 2013. For eight years, I worked as a therapist in the Texas prison system, primarily counseling men navigating serious personal and emotional challenges. I saw everything from severe psychosis to self-circumcision—and just about everything in between. That experience shaped my ability to sit calmly and compassionately with people in their darkest moments.
In 2021, I launched Joel Looney Counseling, focusing especially on counseling for men who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. My passion is helping men confront what’s holding them back—whether it’s anxiety, addiction, shame, or a sense of aimlessness—and live with greater honesty, strength, and purpose. I'm drawn to the deep work of facing fear, telling the truth, and stepping into the life you were made for.
It’s a little ironic—and maybe even fitting—that my last name is Looney and I work in mental health. But as it turns out, I come by it honestly. I’m a third-generation Looney in the field: my grandfather was a psychologist, my father is a psychiatrist, and here I am, doing my part to keep the name respectable.
In addition to my clinical work, I serve as a Teaching Pastor at a local non-denominational church, where I’ve been part of the community for over 20 years. My pastoral background includes a certificate in Biblical Studies from Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and a Church Planting Residency through Vineyard Institute.
Credentials and professional profiles
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, license number 74189. You can verify my license through the state’s public lookup and learn more about my practice through the profiles below.
Verify my Texas LPC license — search for Joel Looney or license number 74189.
I believe real change involves seeing more clearly, choosing a direction aligned with your values, acting with courage, and becoming more present to the people and life around you. Therapy gives us time and space to understand how you got here—and to work on what comes next.
If you’re ready to do that work, get in touch.