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 offer a free consultation?

Yes. We offer a free consultation so you can ask questions, share what you are looking for, and get a sense of whether we may be a good fit.

How do I know whether to work with Jennie or Ryan?

If you are not sure where to start, that is completely okay. Jennie often works with couples, maternal mental health, self-harm support, EMDR, parents, and faith deconstruction. Ryan often works with couples. families, men, professionals, teens, relational patterns, and faith deconstruction. During a consultation, we can help you decide which therapist may be the best fit.

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.

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.

What is the difference between couples therapy, family therapy, and parenting support?

Couples therapy focuses on the relationship between partners. Family therapy focuses on communication and patterns within the larger family system. Parenting support focuses on helping parents respond to their child or teen with more clarity, steadiness, and connection.

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 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 to support healing, strengthen communication, and rebuild connection when it has been strained.

Can I come to therapy even if my child or teen is not ready?

Yes. Parent sessions can still be helpful. We can support you in understanding what may be happening, responding with more steadiness, and strengthening connection at home.

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 work with families?

Yes. Ryan offers family therapy for families who want support with communication, conflict, relationship strain, emotional disconnection, and repairing patterns that keep repeating at home. Family therapy may include parents and children, adult children and parents, siblings, blended families, or other important family relationships. The goal is not to blame one person, but to better understand what is happening in the family system and work toward a healthier connection.

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.

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 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.

Do you offer golf therapy?

Yes. Ryan offers golf therapy for clients who may feel more at ease in a movement-based, outdoor setting. It is still therapy, but in a less traditional environment that may feel more natural for some clients.

What approach do you use in therapy?

Our work is grounded in trauma-informed, attachment-based, relational care. We pay attention to your story, your relationships, your nervous system, and the deeper patterns shaping what you are experiencing.

Jennie often uses EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, parts work, narrative therapy, and experiential approaches. Ryan draws from Internal Family Systems, humanistic therapy, existential work, and interpersonal neurobiology.

You can learn more on our individual About pages.

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 offer therapy intensives?

Yes. We offer intensives in select cases, depending on clinical fit, scheduling, and the kind of support needed. Intensives may be available for EMDR, couples or family sessions, and golf therapy with Ryan. They can be a helpful option when you’re looking for more focused time and deeper work than a standard 50-minute session allows. If you’re curious whether an intensive might be a good fit, feel free to reach out.

Do you offer therapy in San Clemente and online in California?

Yes. We offer in-person therapy in San Clemente and secure telehealth sessions throughout California.

What are your therapy fees?

Individual therapy sessions start at $200 for 50 minutes. Couples or family therapy sessions start at $225 for 50 minutes. We do keep a limited number of sliding scale spots available as space allows. If you have questions about fees or which type of session may be the best fit, we’re happy to help. Learn more about our fees, insurance, and out of network options here.

Do you take insurance or offer out-of-network support?

We are a private-pay, out-of-network practice and do not bill insurance directly. That said, many clients use out-of-network benefits to help offset the cost of therapy. If your plan includes out-of-network mental health coverage, we are happy to provide a superbill that you can submit for possible reimbursement.

What is Mentaya?

Mentaya is a service we partner with that can help you check your out-of-network benefits and simplify the reimbursement process.

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 legal requirements. We will go over confidentiality and its limits at the beginning so you know what to expect.

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.

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, we handle boundaries, consent, and clarity around roles thoughtfully and carefully.