I know you've got a lot of replies but I also know things differ depending on the hospital and the location. So, since I'm also in Texas, I thought I'd offer my experience.

1. What is intake like?
Lots of paperwork, some intrusive questions, a search of anything you have with you, I was wanded down with a metal detector

2. What are the rooms like?
All the rooms of the hospital I was in were two bed. Two beds, two desks, a small closet

3. What are the days like?
We were woken up about 7:30 for breakfast at 8. If you didn't get up and go, you didn't eat until lunch. We came back and had stretching for about 10 min. There was group therapy which was required. You met with the pdoc once a day. There was also optional individual therapy by people who were not yet certified as counselors. Once a day we went to the "art room" where you could paint or work out, there was a pool table and ping pong I think. The tv in the common room was only allowed on in the evenings for an hour or two. You could go outside anytime you weren't supposed to be in group or doing something else. It was a small outdoor area with a really tall fence. Medication was dispensed on a regular schedule by the nurses and your vitals were taken several times a day.

4. What are the nights like?
There was a curfew, you had to be in your room after a certain time. The first couple of nights were kinda scary for me because there were unfamiliar noises.

5. What do they do if you are currently taking medication?
I wasn't taking any medication.

6. What do you bring with you, if anything?
underwear (that's what I forgot), toiletries, jammies (with no strings), a coat if it's cold outside, I took slippers and thick socks, we were allowed to color in the common room so one of my friends brought me crayons and a coloring book, she also brought me a journal

7. How do you find in patient psych hospitals in your area?
I called 911 and voluntarily committed myself but I went through the emergency room at the regular hospital. I didn't see a doctor or nurse, just sat in a room and waited on transport (the nearest psych hospital was 2.5 hours away).

8. What does it have to offer in terms of counseling, meeting with doctors etc.
Honestly I think it depends on the facility. The one I was in was a private hospital and they had group therapy, individual therapy, and a meeting with the doctor once a day. However, I heard from other patients the state hospital was not so nice.

9. How long are the stays usually? (For someone depressed or manic)
There were lots of people bopping in and out mostly teenagers who had attempted for attention (the minimum stay at this facility was 2 days) but there were others, like me, who were honestly there for help. We stayed until our insurance ran out. It was really a safehaven once I got used to being there. There were quite a few times I thought about going back because it was a nice break from reality and worrying about cycling and how it was effecting my family.

10. Do most insurances cover it?
My private insurance would pay for two weeks. Medicaid would generally pay for up to a month. Call your insurance company and ask.