Alexander Jewish Family Service - Houston, Texas

Skippy!

Got on a couple's therapy waiting list at the beginning of July. They kicked me off the waiting list mid July for not returning documentation they didn't let me know they were emailing me. I didn't find out for 3 months until I called in to check on my status because no one called or emailed me subsequently to tell me they needed anything or that they would kick me off the list if they didn't get it. I actually emailed the intake coordinator early in September but she ignored the email and I didn't find out I wasn't on the list anymore for another month. Had to start the entire process over from the beginning. Almost 4 months from the first time I got on the waiting list (and after calling and emailing many people many times) I was assigned a therapist. It's been 2 weeks since then and I haven't heard from this therapist to introduce themselves or schedule anything and I don't even know their name and many calls and emails have given me no information other than "just keep waiting". I'm very distressed about this.

Their sliding scale is pretty good though. If I ever get therapy I'll be getting it for cheap.

Update: Me and my partner have broken up without ever having been seen by JFS. Things were already rocky with us but I can't help but wonder if we might have been able to save it if we had seen somebody at JFS back in early September, which is the timeline I was told when I originally applied in July. I was with them for three years.

Tedarick S. (.

Very helpful 🤠. Justin is great. There staff is great and helpful. God bless him.

David N.

Visit the Jewish family center store. Many great items at fair prices. I was very impressed with the selection of items available.

Sarah M.

I was really dissapointed with their child therapy services. We were on the waiting list for months, then at some point we were taken off the waiting list for an unknown reason, and then when I spoke with the head of the department we were placed back on the list. We eventually were assigned a therapist, but she doesn't take insurance. I stated I wanted to use my insurance, and she said she would let them know but would still like to meet. OK, cool, so I pay out of pocket. Met her, just didn't feel like it was a good fit, which I thought was fine because, again, INSURANCE. Let her know that I would prefer to be with someone who take insurance, she seemed shocked by this, told me because I requested someone who takes insurance we would be added back to the list, but put at the bottom! So pretty much because we wanted to use insurance we were rejected.... I ended up speaking with the dead of the department about how this doesn't seem professional, and he just kept wanting to know why I didn't like their therapist.... It didn't matter how many times I mentioned we wanted to go through insurance, it was like he was choosing to ignore that I wanted to reduce out of pocket expenses. He stated the same thing, since I turned down the therapist offered to me, we had to start over again from the bottom of the wait list... At this point, even though I have heard amazing reviews of the therapists there who take insurance. I will go somewhere else. Don't bother requesting someone who takes insurance, they wont listen, and will punish you.

Carol B.

Tim Owens and the ladies at the front desk always wear a smile. I love them! This organization has assisted me more than any other in the city. They have much Love and keeps on giving and giving and giving. Unlike most Churches in the city you dont have to be a member (Jew) to receive assistance. I look forward to starting their employment assistance class. I believe they'll be successful in assisting me and others with our getting a job.

Robert G.

A Major assist to the ENTIRE HOUSTON COMMUNITY in the time of Great Need. Always coming to the aid of the distressed and unfortunate within Society.

In some cases Financial Assistance is provided on a limited basis. The needs of Society are priority with this beneficial Social services provider. Housing for the Homeless, Troubled Afghanistan and Iraq Combat veterans are given Greater Priority as to Housing and Financial Needs.

There are hundreds of distressed and unfortunate Individuals coming for shelter, food, clothing, Financial Assistance and Transportation to medical appointments.

Cy-Fun C. P.

I receive adequate care from my doctor, whom I saw for 4 years BEFORE he moved to JFS...so let's discuss the receptionists, shall we? The two ladies who work there Monday-Friday whose job is to answer phones and hand over prescription sheets have, after repeated exposure to them, shown themselves to be permanently and intractably annoyed, all day, every day. Their work spaces are littered with little signs (meant to be cute I guess) that say things like "Yes I AM like this all the time, or "What the hell do YOU want?" They come across like you're inconveniencing them, because they're on the phone, or they need a break, or they're old, so f--- off.
A sign was recently added to the reception window forbidding anyone from using their phone in "their" waiting area. Translation: ONE person made a phone call (no, it wasn't me) and either said the f-word or was a bit loud, which interrupted their train of thought, and well, this is how they (over)responded. Quite illustrative.
Their attitude is a cross between entitlement and I-got-screwed-over-so-I-work-here-now-go-to-hell. Maybe a little downsizing is in order...

Alex P.

Went in for the counseling services and met some very good counselors. They are not professional psychiatrists by a long shot, but are courteous, empathetic, and come at a very low rate.