Gay (LGBTQ) Friendly Individual and Couples Counseling
Affordable Board Certified Counseling in Houston and by Phone

About Michele Lane

Michele K. Lane, BCD, LCSW
Caring Psychotherapist in Houston, Texas
Over 25 Years of Counseling Experience

Office Address:
6300 West Loop South
Suite 215
Bellaire, TX 77401

713-668-3838
help@michelelane.com

I have been a psychotherapist for over 25 years in Houston. I offer individual and couple's counseling to the LGBTQ and straight communities. I earned a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and am a Board Certified Diplomate (BCD) in clinical social work. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed by the Texas Department of Human Services. I have provided therapy to students at University of Houston's Counseling Center and am currently in private practice.

Specializations:
Coming out, Couple's Counseling, Relationship Enrichment, Controlling Depression and Anxiety, Surviving Infidelity, Improving Communication, Reducing Shyness, Coping with Loss, Managing Stress, Overcoming Procrastination, Increasing Self Esteem

Verified by Psychology Today

I am on GuideDoc's list of the seven best marriage counselors in Houston.

Comments from clients

Will My Employer Know the Issues that I Discuss?

NO! All sessions are absolutely confidential. Although some insurance/managed care companies require a diagnosis, treatment plan, goals, you will be in charge of approving the plan and goals that are written. Managed care companies are not permitted to release this information to your employer.

Does Therapy Have to be Long-Term?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Many clients report satisfaction after 2-6 sessions.

About Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavior therapy is used to treat depression, anxiety, phobias, and many other problems. It works to replace distorted thinking with realistic and balanced thoughts. This typically results in lowered anxiety as well as improvements in mood, interpersonal relations, and self esteem.

I use cognitive behavioral therapy because it has been shown to be the most effective approach. Unlike other therapies such as psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, and integrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy can often be completed in a short time. Although I have seen a select few of my clients for years, I see many for only a few weeks.

In couples counseling, I develop a written action-oriented, evidenced based plan with both of you detailing specific communication strategies to enhance and nurture one another, and goals of eliminating irritating, unproductive, deceptive, and hurtful behaviors.

Listen to me describe my approach to couples counseling.

Payment Methods, Costs, and Insurance

If your visits are not covered by insurance then I offer flexible fees ranging from $100 to $185 depending on income. Payments in the office can be made by cash or check. You may pay for an office visit in advance using Zelle, a user friendly secure and easy-to-use payment system. available from most banks. Use my email, help@micheleLane.com, as the recipient when using Zelle. Payment must be made the day before the session.

I accept insurance from the following companies:

Blue Cross Blue Shield (Texas only, not Anthem or Magellan)
Cigna (PPO only)
United Behavioral Health
Value Options/Beacon Health

If you are insured by Aetna, Magellan, or Humana I offer my lowest rate of $100.

I do not accept any EAP insurance plans.

If you are using insurance, you must fill out this form at least two days before the appointment. Make sure to find out from your insurance company what your co-payment is and whether you have met your applicable deductible.

Please email me this information at least 24 hours in advance.

Preparing for Your Appointment

All Forms

If you are using insurance, you must fill out this form.

Individual Counseling

Please fill out the client profile form at least one day before your appointment.

Couples Counseling

Please fill out the client profile form at least one day before your appointment.

Also download the couples counseling form but do not fill it out until preparing for your second session. Do not email me the form.

What happens when couples come in for counseling?
In the first session. all couples are counseled individually in separate 45 minute sessions not necessarily on the same day. This allows the partners to get a chance to discuss privately his or her history, symptoms, goals, and issues freely and openly, and without fear of retaliation, conflict, or emotional strife from the other partner. As a psychotherapist, I strive to understand comprehensively the ups, downs, special influences, losses, traumas, assets, vulnerabilities, and goals discussed in your life history. This facilitates my ability to mediate (when you meet together) and develop individualized, constructive interventions which will, help you both overcome painful obstacles and improve your relationship.

< The next week couples are again counseled individually, this time for separate 30 minute sessions followed immediately by a 30 minute session in which you are counseled together. Therefore, the total counseling time for this second appointment is 90 minutes. Remember to bring your filled out couples counseling form. Do not show your completed forms to one another. Following this second meeting, I will develop the action-oriented written action-oriented, evidenced based plan with both of you detailing specific communication strategies to enhance and nurture one another, and goals of eliminating irritating, unproductive, deceptive, and hurtful behaviors. .

Phone Therapy (713) 668-3838

Research has shown phone counseling to be effective. The method that I use, cognitive-behavioral therapy, has been found to work better with phone therapy than therapy that focuses on discussions of feelings (Mohr et al., 2005).

Phone therapy is a valuable option for people seeking help from a professional. Phone counseling has the following advantages:

It is easy and convenient.
You can stay in the comfort of your home of office.
It provides the privacy of the telephone, avoiding eye contact etc.

When you first call we will discuss the best time for the appointment, goals for therapy, and the fee. Payment for phone therapy can be made with Zelle or with PayPal. Use my email, help@micheleLane.com, as the recipient.

Office Location

West Loop South near Bissonnet about 8 miles from downtown Houston, 2.4 miles from the Galleria, and 4.5 miles from the Texas Medical Center.

6300 West Loop South

Suite 215
Bellaire, TX 77401

Gay (LGBTQ) Friendly Individual and Couples CounselingAffordable Board Certified Counseling in Houston and by Phone