There is no cost for support sessions, clinical consultation meetings, or case management services through this partnership.
In partnership with Alexander Jewish Family Service, Emanu El is offering mental health support, healing, community, and connection for congregants in our spiritual home. An Alexander JFS case worker and a part-time clinician will hold office hours at Emanu El every week. To supplement the work that our clergy do by providing pastoral care, the clinician will provide additional resources, office hours for counseling, and follow-up communication. In addition to one-on-one meetings, the clinician will provide support groups that offer a point of connection for those dealing with mental health challenges, divorce, bereavement, caregiving, and the aftermath of natural disasters and personal struggle.
The Shalva Project is made possible by the generous support of the Houston Jewish Community Foundation. If you’d like to learn more about how you can benefit from the Shalva Project, please reach out to Rabbi Silk’s assistant, Shira Moses, at shiram@emanuelhouston.org or 713.535.6419.
Anna Ashburn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas. She grew up in the piney woods of Northeast Texas before moving to Waco to attend Baylor University where she studied child development and social work. In her work as a therapist, she has served children, teens, and adults, most recently specializing in maternal mental health.
Before joining Alexander JFS, Anna worked in schools, community mental health, and pediatrics addressing psychosocial barriers to receiving treatment and supporting families to acquire the resources they need to thrive. This work showed her the inherent strength and resilience of children and families when given the appropriate support.
Her work is guided by the belief that all people deserve to be listened to and that there is inherent power in creating a private, therapeutic, and objective space for others to be heard. Her training includes EMDR, Play Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In addition to that, she greatly values family systems, attachment theory, and person-centered therapy. She is a camp counselor at heart, bringing fun, levity, and depth to her work as a therapist. Anna is especially excited to join the Shalva Project and bring accessible mental health support to the Emanu El community.
Support sessions-
Anna is able to offer 2 free support sessions to anyone in the Emanu El community, including clergy, staff, congregants, teachers, and members of the Becker School and Helfman Religious School family. Support sessions follow a strengths‐based approach and provide short-term interventions to help alleviate symptoms.
A support session is intended to:
If after your support sessions you decide that you would like to pursue individual therapy, Anna can help facilitate that referral to JFS or other community providers.
Clinical consultation-
Do you ever find yourself saying, “I wish I could talk to a professional and ask for advice”? Or “How would a clinician handle this? Where do I even start?” If so, you may benefit from clinical consultation. A consultation involves seeking guidance and feedback from an experienced mental health professional on challenging issues related to a number of topics including parenting, caregiving, aging, substance use, trauma, and other mental health concerns. A clinical consultation provides an opportunity to ask an experienced professional the questions on your mind while in a safe and confidential space.
Adele Croft serves as a Case Management Specialist with Alexander JFS, where she has been honored to provide a vital safety net for individuals and families in need for the past eleven years. She earned her B.A. in Humanities from The University of Texas at Austin.
Adele is deeply committed to a comprehensive, holistic approach, empowering individuals and families by addressing all aspects of their lives – vocational, emotional, social and health – to achieve lasting financial stability and self-sufficiency. She also spearheads the application process for the Alexander JFS interest-free student loan and scholarship program, supporting students in pursuing their educational goals.
Through a lens of compassion and empathy, Adele collaborates with individuals to create personalized plans, connecting them to the services and resources they need to meet immediate challenges while building a pathway to long-term stability.
Adele is thrilled to join the Shalva Project and take part in this exciting initiative to strengthen the Emanu El community. She is passionate about making a meaningful impact and fostering hope and resilience in those she serves.
Adele can offer personalized case management services and support with a variety of issues to anyone in the Emanu El community, including clergy, staff, congregants, teachers and members of the Becker School and Helfman Religious School.
Case management is a collaborative process where a trained professional helps individuals navigate and access the services they need to improve their health, well-being and overall quality of life. Whether you’re struggling with housing or food insecurity, aging, disabilities, financial stability or something else, Adele will respectfully listen to your situation without judgement and in strict confidentiality to direct you to the best resources to resolve your situation.
Adele will meet with individuals to:
There is no cost for support sessions, clinical consultation meetings, or case management services through this partnership.
With Clinician-
Yes, support sessions and clinical consultation are confidential. What you share with Anna stays between you, with a few exceptions, such as if you are at risk of harming yourself or others. If you would like for Anna to be able to speak with Emanu El clergy or staff about your circumstances, you may sign a Release of Information (ROI), a form that allows a client to authorize the release of their protected health information (PHI) to third parties. The client can specify what information to share, who will receive it, and for how long. Anna will not disclose any of your personal information to anyone without your written consent.
With Case Manager-
Yes, case management meetings are strictly confidential. If you would like Adele to be able to speak with Emanu El clergy, staff, other professionals or sources of support in your life to coordinate care and services, you may sign a Release of Information (ROI). This is a form that allows an individual to authorize the release of their protected health information (PHI) to third parties. The individual can specify what information to share, who will receive it, and for how long. Adele will not disclose any of your personal information without your written consent.
To schedule an appointment with Anna, you can use this calendly link or by reaching out directly to Anna at aashburn@alexanderjfs.org to check availability. Anna will be on site at Emanu El on Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
To schedule an appointment with Adele, you can use this calendly link or by reaching out directly to Adele at acroft@alexanderjfs.org to check availability. Adele will be on site at Emanu El on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
You can also reach both Anna and Adele at Emanu El by phone at 713.529.6389.
If you are experiencing a crisis or feel like you are in immediate danger, please seek help from a crisis hotline, or emergency services. In a mental health emergency, these resources are available 24/7:
Mental Health Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
Houston Crisis Lifeline: 713-970-7000
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Crisis and Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ Youth: 866-488-7386 or text 678678
Harris Mental Health: 713-970-7000
Teen Mental Health (Parents and Teens): 800-989-6884
In a Medical Emergency: call 911
No, case management is not therapy. While therapy focuses on addressing emotional and psychological concerns, case management focuses on connecting individuals to resources and coordinating services to improve a person’s overall well-being. However, case managers may refer clients to therapy if needed, and they often work in conjunction with therapists to ensure comprehensive care.