FAQ

  • Individual Therapy and EMDR Therapy are both $150 for an hour session. Intensive cost is based on the package chosen during the initial consultation call. If you are interested in learning more about my specialties and how I could help you schedule a free consultation call.

  • I am licensed to work with anyone in the state of Pennsylvania, Vermont, South Carolina, and Florida. All of my sessions are done virtually in the comfort of your own home and space.

  • Therapy is a unique experience for everyone. The timeline for progress is based on you and the treatment plan we discuss during the intake session. I work to give everyone concrete skills to use in your daily life that can help you find some relief sooner.

  • Some people believe that therapy is only for severe mental health disorders or crises, not understanding that it can also be beneficial for personal growth, coping with stress, relationship issues, and other everyday struggles. I’ll help you determine if therapy makes sense for you on a 30-minute phone consultation you can book here: www.lunar-counseling.com/schedule

  • If you're genuinely interested in working together, let's discuss your concerns during our initial consultation. We can collaborate on finding a solution that meets both your therapeutic needs and financial considerations.

  • Lunar Counseling requires consent from at least one legally authorized parent or guardian before providing outpatient mental health treatment to any client under 18. This applies in every state where we practice, including states where the law allows minors to consent on their own.

    This is a practice policy, not a statement of the law. Some states give minors the right to consent to their own outpatient treatment (see State Law Summary below). We fully respect that right. Because our clinical model is family-inclusive and systems-oriented, we choose not to provide minor-only-consent treatment ourselves. Minors who wish to exercise that right will be referred to providers who offer it.

    Who May Consent

    Consent from one parent or guardian with legal authority to make health care decisions for the minor is generally sufficient. In Florida, this consent must be in writing.

    • Separated or divorced parents: We will ask about current custody arrangements and may request a copy of the custody order. If the order requires both parents' consent, or limits one parent's decision-making authority, we will follow the order.

    • Other legal decision-makers: A court-appointed guardian, or an agency with legal custody of the minor, may consent in place of a parent. We may request documentation of that authority.

    • Emancipated minors: A minor who is legally emancipated may consent as an adult. We will request documentation of emancipation.

    Consent Is Not the Same as Participation

    Once a parent or guardian has given consent, their active involvement in therapy is encouraged but optional. Parents may choose whether to attend sessions or take part in treatment planning. A parent's choice not to participate will not stop the minor from receiving treatment.

    Confidentiality and Records

    Parental consent to treatment does not automatically give parents access to everything a minor shares in therapy. Access to a minor's records and treatment information is governed by the law of the state where services are provided and by federal privacy law, and it can differ from the rules on who may consent.

    At the start of treatment, the therapist will review with the minor and the consenting parent or guardian what information will be shared, what will stay private, and the legal limits of confidentiality (such as safety concerns and mandated reporting). This agreement will be documented in the client record.

    Minors Who Contact Us Without a Parent or Guardian

    If a minor contacts Lunar Counseling without parental or guardian consent, we will not begin intake, assessment, or treatment. We will:

    1. Let the minor know about our consent policy and, where it applies, their legal right to seek services elsewhere without a parent.

    2. Provide referrals to qualified providers who offer services consistent with the minor's legal rights.

    3. If the minor indicates a safety concern or crisis, provide immediate crisis resources (such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or 911) and follow mandated reporting and duty-to-warn requirements.

    Providing referrals or crisis resources is not the start of a treatment relationship.

    State Law Summary

    The following summarizes each state's law for informational purposes. In every state, Lunar Counseling's practice standard above still applies.

    Pennsylvania. Minors 14 and older may consent to outpatient treatment on their own (Act 65 of 2020). Parents may also consent for minors under 18. No session limit is set in statute. Record access generally follows who consented to treatment.

    Vermont. Minors of any age may consent to outpatient psychotherapy and counseling, but not prescription medication (18 V.S.A. § 8350). No session limit is set in statute. Record access follows Vermont and federal privacy law.

    South Carolina. Minors 16 and older may generally consent to health services (§ 63-5-340). Minors of any age may receive services the provider deems necessary, with exceptions (§ 63-5-350). No session limit is set in statute. Consent rights do not settle record access.

    Florida. Written parental consent is required (§ 1014.06). The only exception is crisis services for minors 13 and older, limited to 2 visits per week (§ 394.4784). Parents generally have record access, subject to legal exceptions.

    In Florida, Lunar Counseling does not provide services under the crisis exception. Minors in crisis are connected with crisis resources as described above.

    Legal References