Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ’s

What Should I Expect From My First Appointment?

Your first appointment will consist mostly of us getting to know each other and building the beginnings of our relationship together. I will also spend time learning what’s brought you to therapy and what your goals for therapy are. We will take a bit of time to review some important parts of the intake paperwork and what you can expect from me as the therapist and from therapy itself. If, at the end of the session, you feel like we are a good fit and that I can help you achieve your goals, then we will schedule a second session.

Can I Use My Insurance?

Yes you have the option to bill your insurance for therapeutic services. See the list of insurance companies that Derek Whitney, LMFT is in-network with today.

 How Long Do Therapy Sessions Last? 

A therapy “hour” is defined as being 45-60 minutes, with a typically time range being 50 minutes. This allows for me to process, wrap up, or pack away what we have been working on, prepare for the next client, and take care of other needs between clients. 

 How Long Will I Be In Therapy? 

Therapy is unique to each client; some clients need only a handful of sessions, other clients come for dozens of sessions. Some come for a few sessions, take a break, and then come back. Some clients like to ‘check-in’ for one or two sessions a few times a year. It’s really up to you, the goals that you want to achieve, and how long it takes us to get there. If you have a specific length of time you are wishing to be in therapy, please address this with me upfront so we can make that work. 

 How Often Do I Have To Come?

Usually, clients begin by attending therapy once a week. This gives us a chance to continue building a stable and functional relationship, to overcome initial obstacles and difficulties, and for therapy to begin to take effect in your daily life. After a time, clients may wish to scale back how often they come to therapy. 

Who Should Come With Me To My Appointment?

If you are a minor, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to your therapy appointments, both your first appointment and future appointments, unless otherwise agreed upon. If you are a legal adult, you may bring whomever you wish to therapy with you. Perhaps you would like to bring your spouse with you, your parent(s), or even a friend or other loved one to support you through the therapy process. Many clients find that having a trusted loved one with them to be a valuable support (keep in mind that those that you bring with you will be privy to the private information you share during session). While many find having others in therapy with them helpful, it certainly does not apply to everyone! A large number of clients come to therapy as individuals and rarely, if ever, bring another into therapy with them. This is fine and natural, as therapy can be a private and vulnerable experience.

Isn’t Therapy For “Crazy” People?

There is a large misconception and stigma that therapy is for people who are “crazy”, “weak”, or “just need to suck it up”, this could not be further from the truth. Many important and successful figures have gone to therapy and report a positive experience. Such figures include President and First Lady Obama, Michael Phelps, Robert Downey Jr., Jay-Z, Demi Lovato, and Kristen Bell, to name a few. As people, we go through tough times, and sometimes we need help carrying the weight. Therapy gives people a place to open up, explore what they are going through, and find new ways to cope with difficult emotions and experiences. Many such people use therapy as a place to learn more about themselves, their emotions, their lives, and their relationships, leading to stronger, happier, and more well-rounded people and relationships. 

Why Can’t I Just Take Medication? 

You can! Though, if you are wanting to take medication, that’s something you would need to talk to your doctor or psychiatrist about. Studies suggest that many mental health conditions are best treated by a combination of therapy and medication. ‘Combination’ being the key word. Therapy helps to explore the underlying or root cause of what’s bringing about difficult emotions so that individuals can gain adaptive coping skills that will make taking medications more effective.