Counseling Services

Within each of us lies the desire to find meaning beyond the moment, to unearth our real selves, and to grow closer to God and one another. I approach my work with others from a Christ-centered, biblically rooted, and clinically informed perspective. I believe connecting with someone on a personal level requires a foundation of trust and respect. In my office I strive to provide a genuine, understanding, nonjudgmental atmosphere in which you can work through and find freedom from the issues that may be hindering you from fulfilling your God-given roles.  Helping people reconnect to their innate wholeness and renew their sense of hope and possibility is my focus. No one is pressured to move past their comfort zones before they’re ready; only encouraged to seek truth for themselves and supported in setting specific goals for individual and relational growth that are mutually agreed upon.

I enjoy working with teens and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, OCD, trauma, family or peer relationships, as well as grief/loss and conflict resolution relationships.  Certifications through the Prepare/Enrich and the SYMBIS program for pre-marital counseling informs my work with couples, and my training in EMDR and Neurofeedback contribute to my work with survivors of trauma to reduce physiological symptoms such as anxiety, depression and chronic pain.

Alessia is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Sam Houston State University.  With counseling experience since 2011, in addition to her work at the Gideon Institute Counseling Center she is the CEO and founder of The Compass Center for Wellness, PLLC, in Sugar Land, TX and also counsels at the Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center at Houston’s First Baptist Church.  She is a member of Christian Counselors of Texas, The American Association of Christian Counselors, Christian Association for Psychological Studies, and The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV).  When experiencing difficult times we may feel afflicted, crushed, perplexed, despair, forsaken, struck down, or even destroyed.  Sometimes it’s hard to see the way through or what the next steps should be.  Sometimes we know what the next steps are, but don’t know if we have the strength to take them.

The good news is you don’t have to walk these steps alone.  Safely sharing with someone you can trust and who will listen without judgment can begin the healing process. I consider it an honor and sacred calling to figuratively walk with people during challenging times in their lives, and believe a Christ-centered, biblically rooted, clinically informed approach to therapy that honors and welcomes people from all faith backgrounds provides a path to hope and healing.  Through this process, with utmost respect for your thoughts, feelings and ideas, we will work together to find ways to manage the challenges you face and continue forward with a firm foundation under your feet and a light for your path.  I look forward to seeing you soon.

Diane is the director of the Gideon Institute Counseling Center. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Supervisor (LCSW-S) with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, she has worked with adults and children in a variety of mental health and education settings for 29 years. Her areas of clinical expertise include Christ-centered psychotherapy with people who struggle with grief/loss, trauma, past/current abuse, major life transitions, relationship issues, addiction, anxiety, depression and forms of mental illness.

Notice: Telehealth is available for these counseling services

• Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center at Houston’s First Baptist Church:  Call 713-335-6462 or email counseling.center@houstonsfirst.org to schedule an appointment.  Inquire about a discounted fee for HBU students.
• Counseling Center at Christ the King Presbyterian Church – email leslie.peacock@christtheking.com to schedule an appointment.  HBU students pay a discounted fee of $15/session.
• Neema Counseling in Austin, Texas area – visit www.neemacounseling.com for information on how to schedule. There is an application for sliding scale fee on the website if needed.  Can bill health insurance as an out-of-network provider.
• Neema Counseling also has a support group for college students experiencing increased anxiety and stress due to all the changes related to COVID-19. Groups are $20 per session. Visit www.neemacounseling.com/covid19-college-student-support-group for more information.
• The Austin Stone Counseling Center has four locations in the Austin, Texas area that currently provide tele-mental-health services. Visit www.austinstonecounseling.org for more information.
• Houston Center For Christian Counseling – visit www.christiancounselinghouston.com for more information.  Fees range from $85-$150 per session.  Health insurance accepted by most counselors.  HCCC can check with your insurance company as a courtesy before the first counseling session to verify benefits and coverage.

​If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis and need to speak to someone immediately, the following resources are available 24/7:

• Harris Center Hotline – 713-970-7000 (option 1)
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
• Harris County COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line: 1-833-251-7544
• National Domestic Violence Hotline and Safety Information – 1-800-799-7233 – www.nocovidabuse.org

If you or a loved one has an emergency:

• On Campus – Call HBU Campus Police: 281-649-3911
• Off Campus – Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room

Urgent mental healthcare options (hours of operation less than 24 hours):

• HHCI’s Free Mental Health Peer Support Warmline (Monday-Sunday 5pm-8pm)  – 832-831-PEER (7337)
  • What is a warmline?  A warmline is a telephone service (aka a call line) for people who are looking for someone to discuss their daily struggles. Warmlines are staffed with peers who have lived experience of mental health struggles themselves and who are open to sharing their stories of challenging situations, recovery, and perseverance. Moreover, they listen to callers share their own struggles. 
• Memorial Hermann Mental Health Crisis Clinics – 713-338-MHCC (6422)
  • The hours at each clinic location will vary, please call ahead for the hours of operation.
  • Visit www.memorialhermann.org/mental-health for more information.  Crisis counseling and emergency medication administration available.
  • Payment accepted via health insurance or sliding scale fee based on income.
  • Closest location to HBU is the Meyerland Area location.

• Psalm 71 v1-14 – Read Responsively Across Two Continents – Psalm 71:1-14 (ESV)
• A Guided Christian Meditation for Worry and Anxiety by Dr. Michael Cook
• A Guided Christian Meditation for Worry and Anxiety – Meditation Only by Dr. Michael Cook
• Musical Meditations for Prayer and Reflection – Dr. Rhonda Furr, HBU Professor of Music – 10 sets of familiar hymns
• Cities of the World – Psalm 46 (LB) – Psalm 46
• Prayer for HBU by Dr. Nicolene Joubert
• Prayer of Hope by Dr. Nicolene Joubert
• Prayer for Comfort in Adversity and True Peace of Conscience by Johann Gerhard
• Prayer for the Preservation and Increase of Hope by Johann Gerhard
• Prayer for the Preservation and Increase of Faith by Johann Gerhard