Frequently Asked Questions | Denney Family Therapy

What should I expect in the first session?

The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other a bit and begin understanding what is bringing you in. We will talk about what feels hard right now, what you are hoping for, and any background that feels important. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. Our job is to help you slow things down, make sense of what is going on, and decide together what support may be most helpful.

Do you work with both teens and parents together?

Yes. We work with teens, parents, and families, and we think carefully about what format will be most helpful. In some cases, therapy may involve parent sessions, teen sessions, family sessions, or a combination of those. The goal is always to support healing, strengthen communication, and help rebuild connection where it has been strained.

Do you work with couples?

Yes. We work with couples who are feeling disconnected, stuck in conflict, trying to rebuild trust, or simply wanting a healthier way of relating. Therapy can help you better understand the patterns between you and create a more honest, steady connection.

Do you work with faith deconstruction or identity transitions?

Yes. We work with clients who are navigating identity shifts, faith transitions, and the grief, confusion, or relational strain that can come with questioning long-held beliefs. Therapy can be a place to process what is changing and reconnect with what feels true and grounded.

Do you work with self-harm or family stress around self-harm?

Yes. Jennie works with individuals and families impacted by self-harm, with care that is compassionate, trauma-informed, and rooted in helping people understand what is underneath the behavior rather than simply reacting to it.

Do you work with maternal mental health?

Yes. Jennie works with women navigating the emotional weight of motherhood, including overwhelm, identity shifts, burnout, relationship strain, and the many changes that can come with parenting. Therapy can be a place to slow down, make sense of what you are carrying, and find more steady ways of caring for yourself while caring for others.

Is your practice LGBTQ+ affirming?

Yes. Our practice is LGBTQ+ affirming. We want therapy to feel like a space where all parts of you are welcome and where your identity, relationships, and experience are met with care and respect.

What ages do you work with?

Ryan works with children as young as 5, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Jennie works with clients ages 10 and up, including teens, young adults, and adults. When working with children and teens, both may collaborate closely with parents when appropriate to support not just the individual, but the family as a whole.

Do you offer online sessions?

Yes. We offer both in-person sessions in San Clemente and secure telehealth sessions throughout California. Depending on the needs of the couple or family, there are times when we may recommend meeting in person when possible.

Do Jennie and Ryan work together with clients?

Jennie and Ryan each maintain their own caseloads and provide therapy separately. In some situations, members of the same family may work with different therapists when that arrangement feels supportive and clinically appropriate. When that happens, boundaries, consent, and clarity around roles are handled thoughtfully and carefully.

Do you offer therapy for business professionals or executives?

Yes. Ryan works with professionals, leaders, and high-capacity individuals who are carrying a great deal, whether that shows up as stress, burnout, relationship strain, or the pressure of always needing to hold things together. His approach is steady, practical, and relational, helping clients slow down and address what has been building beneath the surface.

How long are sessions, and how often will we meet?

Most therapy sessions are 50 minutes. In some cases, we also offer longer sessions, including intensives, EMDR intensives, and golf therapy sessions, which can range from 2 to 4 hours depending on your needs and goals. Many clients begin with weekly sessions, especially at the start, and we can adjust frequency over time based on what feels most supportive.

Do you take insurance?

We are out-of-network providers and do not bill insurance directly. If you have out-of-network benefits, we use Mentaya to help simplify the reimbursement process by checking benefits and submitting claims. We can also provide a superbill if needed. We are always happy to help you better understand your coverage and what to ask your insurance company.

What if I don’t know how to talk about what I’m going through?

That is more common than you may think. You do not need to come in with the right words. Part of therapy is helping you make sense of what feels tangled, heavy, or hard to explain. We will work through it together.

Is everything we talk about confidential?

Yes. Therapy is confidential, with a few legal exceptions such as safety concerns involving harm to yourself or others, abuse or neglect, or court-related requirements. We will go over confidentiality and its limits at the beginning so you know what to expect.

What approach do you use in therapy?

Our work is grounded in trauma-informed, attachment-based care. That means we pay attention to your story, your relationships, your nervous system, and the deeper patterns that may be shaping what you are experiencing.

Jennie’s work often includes EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, parts work, narrative therapy, and experiential approaches. She often supports self-harm recovery, family relationship strain, identity shifts, and faith transitions.

Ryan draws from Internal Family Systems, humanistic and client-centered therapy, existential work, and interpersonal neurobiology. He often works with stress, identity, relational patterns, and the emotional weight carried by professionals, men, teens, and families.

What if my teen doesn’t want to come to therapy?

That is very common. We work hard to create a space that feels safe, respectful, and not forced. If your teen is hesitant, we can talk through ways to begin gently. Often, once they realize therapy is not about fixing them but helping them feel understood, it can become easier to engage.

Do you offer golf therapy?

Yes. Ryan offers golf therapy for clients who may feel more at ease in a movement-based, outdoor setting rather than a traditional office. For some people, being in motion makes it easier to talk, reflect, and engage the therapeutic process. It can be a good fit for certain professionals, men, and individuals who connect better in a more natural environment.

What is golf therapy?

Golf therapy is a non-traditional therapy format that combines conversation, movement, and shared activity in an outdoor setting. It is still therapy, just in a different environment. For some clients, this format feels less pressured and more natural than sitting face-to-face in an office. The same care, confidentiality, and therapeutic intention apply.