We all have rules, right?

After you complete a FREE telephone consultation and agree to begin services, you will be required to complete initial paperwork. Included in this paperwork will be further detail regarding the policies mentioned below.

Consent to Treat Minors (with custody orders)

For children under the age of 18, unless otherwise stipulated by a court order, both legal custodial parents must consent to treatment for their child. If the parents do not agree, services cannot be provided until consent from both parties is received or a court order is documented with the requirement for therapy services. Joint custody typically stipulates that both parents share the right and responsibility to make decisions related to the health, education, and welfare of the child. Sole legal custody court orders authorize the identified parent as the only one legally able to consent treatment for the child.

Legal Guardians, parents, and other court appointed adults have the right to access and be informed of the underage child’s involvement in therapy. This includes the child’s diagnosis, treatment goals, and progress. Any court order and/or parenting plan regarding an underage client must be provided to the therapist at the initial session and any time these orders are updated.

Custody & Court

Therapists at Unity are not custody experts. Your therapist will not appear in court for clients for custody, visitation, or other reasons where the client-counselor relationship may be damaged.

Therapists at Unity are not a forensic investigator or an expert in child neglect or abuse. If you believe that your child may be a victim of neglect or abuse, please call 1-800-652-1999 in Nebraska or 1-800-362-2178 in Iowa to report your concern.

If your child needs emergent help, please call 911 or take your child to the nearest emergency room. 

Emergencies & Cancellations

If you are having a life threatening emergency, please visit your closest emergency room or call 911. If you are suicidal, please call 1-800-273-8255. If your emergency is not life threatening, it is important that you rely upon your coping skills while you wait for your therapist to call you back. Unity staff will make every effort to return calls within 24-48 hours.

If you need to miss your scheduled session due to an emergency, it is important that you give as much notice of cancellation as possible. A 24 hour notice is required to prevent risk of being charged for a missed session. Clients may be provided a waiver of fees for missed appointments on a case by case basis.

If your therapist happens to be the one needing to cancel your session, your therapist will make every effort to schedule you within that same week. Any cancellations your therapist must make will not be counted against you and no fees will be assessed.

Litigation Charges

If your therapist or any Unity staff member is subpoenaed by a judge, on your behalf, to provide reports, letters, or any other legal documentation, a flat fee of $300 will be due. The subpoena will be discussed with you and fees will be due at the time of the request. Please note that insurance companies often do not pay for this service.

​If your therapist or any Unity staff member is subpoenaed to attend court on your behalf, for any legal reason, a fee of $200 per hour will be due. Once this subpoena is received it will be discussed with you and fees will be due (at a prorated rate) prior to the expected court appearance. Please note that insurance companies often do not pay for this service.

Professional Letters

It is our policy to refrain from providing letters of recommendation or clinical judgement, including court documents, custody agreements, or letters for emotional support animals.