Frequently Asked Questions


”What insurance plans do you accept?”

I’m in-network with several major insurance providers, including:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield – Texas, Massachusetts, and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

  • United Healthcare (Optum)

  • Oxford (Optum)

  • Oscar (Optum)

  • Cigna

  • Aetna

  • Quest Behavioral Health

If you’re using insurance, you can schedule directly through my Headway portal. Headway verifies your benefits, handles all billing and paperwork, and keeps the process simple.

If you’re paying privately, my standard rate is $140 per session. I also offer a sliding scale option based on income for those who qualify.

“What do you specialize in?”

I help men and women navigate a wide range of challenges, but I specialize in:

  • Anxiety and stress management

  • Perfectionism and overthinking

  • People-pleasing and boundary-setting

  • Procrastination and avoidance

  • Spiritual confusion or disconnection

  • Major life transitions

  • Men’s Issues

These concerns often overlap. Anxiety can make decisions harder, and people-pleasing can weaken boundaries. Perfectionism can turn everyday choices into exhausting ones, and avoidance can provide relief today while making everything over time.

Therapy can help you understand the pattern, decide what matters, and practice doing something different.

“What’s your background?”

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler.

Before starting my private practice, I spent eight years as a prison psychotherapist, working with individuals in high-stress, high-need environments. I also served more than a decade on the pastoral staff of a non-denominational Christian church.

This unique combination of experience allows me to integrate modern, evidence-based therapy with a holistic, spiritually-informed perspective that is always optional and tailored to your needs.

“What is your schedule?”

I see clients Monday through Thursday during daytime hours:

  • In-person sessions: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday

  • Virtual sessions: Monday through Thursday, with Wednesday reserved exclusively for online appointments

Hours are:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

No evening or weekend appointments are currently available.

“What is therapy like?”

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you are used to handling things yourself or have trouble explaining what is wrong.

We’ll begin with what is happening now and what you would like to be different. From there, therapy may involve understanding patterns and assumptions, clarifying your goals and priorities, practicing ways to respond differently to anxiety, making decisions without waiting for complete certainty, improving communication and boundaries, or becoming more comfortable with emotions you usually avoid.

I tend to be collaborative, conversational, and practical. I will listen carefully, but I will also ask questions, offer another perspective when it may be useful, and help connect what we discuss to choices you can make outside the therapy room.

Faith or spirituality can be included if they matter to you, though they are never a requirement.

Sessions are adapted to your needs, goals, and circumstances.

“How do I get started?”

If you’re using insurance, start with my Headway profile, where you can check your benefits and book an appointment. You’re also welcome to contact me first if you have questions.

If you’re paying privately—or would like to talk before scheduling—email joel@joellooney.com or call/text (281) 516-8529. I offer a free 15-minute consultation call. You don’t need to prepare anything; we’ll talk briefly about what you’re looking for, answer your questions, and see whether we seem to click.

Sometimes we work out the details by email, but I generally prefer an initial phone conversation. We can discuss availability and schedule an appointment during the call or afterward.

Before your appointment

I’ll send you a welcome email with instructions for your first session and any remaining intake paperwork through Headway. Headway manages my billing and electronic records for both insurance and private-pay clients. Please complete your forms and enter your insurance or payment information at least 24 hours before your appointment. Once your account is set up, you can also schedule appointments yourself through Headway.

At the first session

We’ll meet for about an hour. We’ll review consent forms, discuss relevant information from your intake, and talk about what brought you in and what you hope to change. There’s time for your questions, too. We’ll begin discussing goals, then continue refining them as we get a better understanding of what you need.

The first appointment also gives us a chance to see how it feels to work together. If you’d like to continue, we can schedule follow-up sessions then or later. If another therapist would better meet your needs, I can suggest names when I have suitable referrals or direct you to Mosaics of Mercy for help finding a provider.

“Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?”

At this time, I offer daytime appointments only, Monday through Thursday. If you need evening or weekend availability, I can refer you to a trusted colleague in the area.

“Is therapy confidential?”

Yes. Everything you share in therapy stays between us, with only a few exceptions required by law, such as safety concerns. We’ll review confidentiality thoroughly during your intake session so you understand exactly how your information is protected.