Dr. Emily Winakur is a licensed psychologist specializing in children, adolescents, adults, and families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will my first session be like?
We usually meet with clients for 60-90 minutes for the first session. We will use some of the time to go over important paperwork together pertaining to your rights and responsibilities as a psychotherapy client. We use the remainder of the time to gain a solid understanding of your reasons for seeking treatment and your ideas about how psychotherapy can help your life improve. Additionally, we ask questions to develop a brief history of your family, relationships, and symptoms. Of course, we answer any questions you may have. If we determine at the first session that we are not the best therapists to work with you, we will help you find an appropriate provider.
Subsequent sessions last for 45 minutes.
How long will it take until I feel better?
Every client is different in this way, as a result of a number of factors - what your symptoms are, how severe they are, and how frequently we meet are just a few. There is also so much variability in how long it takes to unlearn habitual behavior and establish new ways of coping and interacting. We discuss with each client at regular intervals how they feel about their progress and symptom improvement, share our own thoughts about their progress, and together we make adjustments to the treatment accordingly.
Can I see you more than once a week?
Yes! There are times when it is very helpful to schedule more than one session per week. If you are going through a crisis, for example, an additional session for a period of time may provide needed support. It is also common in psychodynamic treatment to meet more than once per week because the client-therapist relationship — the key treatment ingredient — develops more quickly and intensely with more frequent meetings.
If I’m working with you individually, can I also see you for couples/family treatment? Or vice versa?
Generally, no. If we are working with you in one modality but we determine that you could also benefit from another modality, we are more than happy to help you find a different provider who can meet your additional needs.
Is it okay if I meet with more than one provider before I choose a therapist?
Absolutely! Psychotherapy is an investment, and you should feel comfortable with your decision. There are important differences between therapists, in terms of their training, philosophies, and methods. Having one consultation session with two or three providers can help you get a sense of what type of therapy and personality feel right for you.
My cultural background is different from yours — I’m worried you won’t understand me...
This is a very valid concern. We believe we are each shaped by our culture (including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion, and sexual orientation) in important ways. We work hard to be sensitive to differences between ourselves and our clients, to educate ourselves about cultural groups different from our own, and, most importantly, to keep the door open throughout therapy for discussions of culture and how it impacts the therapeutic work.
How much does psychotherapy cost?
When possible, we offer clients the choice to receive services from Dr. Winakur or with an advanced doctoral-level student trainee under Dr. Winakur’s direct supervision. There are different payment schedules depending on the service provider, the age of the client, and type of service provided. Upon request, we provide clients with the necessary documentation for submitting charges to their insurance companies for out-of-network provider coverage.
Please view the Investing in Psychotherapy page for more information.
Do you have a list of resources for insurance-based or lower-fee therapy?
YES!
Houston Area Insurance-Based and Low-Fee Therapy and Psychological Testing
Name: Nick Finnigan Counseling Center
Type: Community Mental Health Center (in-person and telehealth sessions)
*Their center is accessible on Metro route 82
Payment: Counseling sessions cost between $75-$95, but NFCC also offers a sliding scale for those who qualify. NFCC accepts the following health insurance: AETNA, Beacon Health, Blue Cross, CIGNA, and United.
Therapy Options Offered: Child (ages 3 and up), Adolescent, Adult individual, Couple, Premarital, Family Counseling
Website: https://finnegancounseling.org/
Informational Brochure: https://finnegancounseling.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NFCC22_Brochure.pdf
Name: Bo’s Place
Type: Spanish and English Nonprofit Grief Center
Payment: Free of Charge
Therapy Options Offered: Grief Support Groups including Family, Adult/ Young Adult, Pregnancy Loss, Spanish, and School-Based.
- Six to Nine weeks, Online(Zoom), and Ongoing Options
Website: https://bosplace.org/en/for-those-grieving/
Name: Legacy Community Health
Type: Federally Qualified Health Center
Payment: Sliding fee scale and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.
Therapy Options Offered: Behavioral Counseling, Substance Abuse, School-based Health Care, LGBTQ+ Care. Legacy also offers assessments, medication management, therapy, and psychological testing.
Website: https://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/services/behavioral-health/
Name: The Montrose Center Houston
Type: Community Mental Health Center (focuses on LGBTQ+, but services are open to all).
Payment: Sliding fee scale and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and all private insurance. Therapy Options Offered: LGBTQ+ Group Therapies, Domestic Violence Recovery Group Therapies, Individual and Family Counseling, and Substance Abuse Recovery.
Website: https://montrosecenter.org/services/counseling/
Name: St. Thomas Training Clinic
Type: University Clinical Mental Health Counseling Training Clinic
Payment: $5- $20 per session, in-person on campus or virtual telehealth options
Therapy Options Offered: Individual and Group Counseling Sessions.
Name: Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute
Type: Private Practice with Lower Fees with Student Therapists
Payment: Sliding Scale Starting at $40 per 50 min Session. Fuller Life accepts insurance through Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, United/Optum, Magellan, Beacon, and Humana.
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Child, Adolescent, Family, Couples, Group Counseling.
Website: https://fullerlifefamilytherapy.org/affordable-counseling-houston/
Name: Greater Houston Counseling Services
Type: Private Practice
Payment: Rates start at $40 per 53-minute session with practicum students. GHCS accepts insurance through Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, and others.
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Child, Family, Couples, and Identity(Asian, BIPOC, LGBTQ, Muslim) Counseling. GHCS also offers Psychological Testing.
Website: https://www.greaterhoustoncounselingservices.com/
Name: Houston Galveston Institute
Type: Nonprofit Counseling Center
Payment: Sliding Scale with Some Insurances Accepted.
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Adolescent, Child, Family, Couples, and Group Counseling.
Website: https://hgicounselingtx.org/.
Name: Easter Seals of Greater Houston
Type: Nonprofit Disability Services Center
Payment: Though we were unable to confirm payment types, we know that this nonprofit utilizes counseling and psychology students to provide lower-fee services
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Child, Family, Veterans, Seniors, and Family Members.
Contact: 713-838-9050
Name: Family Psych Solutions (Pearland)
Type: Private Practice
Payment: Family Psych Solutions accepts most major insurance carriers and is on some Medicaid panels.
Therapy Options Offered: Adult, Child, PTSD, and ADHD Counseling.
Website: https://familypsychsolutions.com/
Name: Interfaith Community Clinic
Type: Nonprofit Health Care Center
Payment: Free
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Family, and Couple Counseling.
Website: https://interfaithcommunityclinic.org/services/counseling-services/
Name: Real Talk Clinical Psychology and Psychoanalysis
Type: Private Practice
Payment: Sliding Scale Fees with Psychotherapy Sessions with Interns starting at $50. Real Talk accepts the following insurances: Aetna, BlueCross, BlueShield, and United Healthcare.
Therapy Options Offered: Children, Young Adult, and Adult Counseling.
Website: https://www.realtalkpsychology.com/
Name: Houston Anxiety and Wellness Center
Type: Private Practice
Payment: Advanced Doctoral Clinicians and Counseling Interns can provide services at a much-reduced rate ($100-$130).
Therapy Options Offered: Children, Adolescents, Adults, Group, and Parenting Counseling.
Website: https://www.houstonanxiety.com/services
Name: Heights Couples Therapy
Type: Private Practice
Payment: Deanna Pollard, M.S., offers Couple / Family Counseling starting at $150 per 75 minutes and $100 per 50 minutes.
Therapy Options Offered: Couples, Individual, Premarital, and Discernment Counseling.
Website: https://www.heightscouplestherapy.com/
Name: Green Tree Behavioral Health & Consulting Services
Type: Private Practice
Payment: Most Insurances are Accepted, Including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Beacon Health Options, Cigna, ComPsych, Magellan, Optum, Superior Health Plan, and United Health Care.
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Children, Adolescent, Group, Family, Couples, and Crisis Intervention Counseling.
Website: https://www.greentreebehavioralhealth.com/
Name: Hope and Healing Center & Institute
Type: Nonprofit Organization Through St. Martin Episcopal Church
Payment: Free!
Therapy Options Offered: Adult Individual Counseling, Support Groups, and Case Management.
Website: https://hopeandhealingcenter.org/
Name: Innovative Alternatives
Type: Nonprofit Organization
Payment: Sliding Scale starting at $25 per session, and IA Accepts Major Forms of Insurance, Medicaid, and Crime Victims Compensation Benefits.
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Children, Adolescent, Couple, Family, and Trauma Counseling.
Website: https://www.innovativealternatives.org/
Name: Jewish Family Services
Type: Social Service Agency
Payment: Unconfirmed
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Children, Adolescent, Senior, Family, Group, Music, and Trauma Counseling.
Website: https://www.alexanderjfs.org/
Name: Renewing Hope
Type: Private Practice
Payment: Discounted Counseling with Intern/ Practicum Student and Renewing Hope Accepts Multiple Insurances Including Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and More.
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Children, Adolescent, Family, Play Therapy, and Couples Counseling.
Website: https://www.renewinghope.net/
Name: The Adolescent Center and Mental Health Services
Type: Private Practice
Payment: Accepts Multiple Insurances Including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Bright Health Care, Cigna, Community Health Choice, Humana Military, Medicare, Optum, Texas Children’s Health Plan, TMHP, Tricare, United Healthcare, and More.
Therapy Options Offered: Individual, Children, Adolescent, Family, Couples, Group Counseling, and Psychological Evaluations.
Website: https://theadolescentcenter.com/
What should I do in an emergency?
In the case of an emergency, such as a medical emergency or having thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, you should call 911 or go directly to your local emergency room. If you are physically safe but urgently need to speak to someone, you should call Crisis Intervention of Houston at 713-hotline (713-468-5463). Once we begin to work together regularly, we can discuss additional and/or different emergency protocols.
What do I do if I want to file a complaint with the licensing board?
In the event you would like to file a complaint with the licensing board, please review the link below for further information: