1. Recording of Sessions

Sessions are confidential. Clients may not audio record, video record, photograph, screen record, or otherwise capture any portion of a session without written consent from the practice. Unauthorized recording, sharing, or distribution of any session content may result in immediate termination of services and possible legal action.

As a teaching practice, some clinicians (such as interns or provisionally licensed staff) may request permission to record sessions for supervision or training purposes. Written consent will always be obtained in advance. Recordings are used only for supervision/training and deleted after review unless separate written consent is given for continued educational use. Identifying information will not be disclosed.

2. Insurance and Private Pay

River In Eden Counseling is primarily a private-pay/out-of-network practice. Clients may request a superbill to submit to their insurance company for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement amounts vary by plan and are not guaranteed.

A limited number of clients may use insurance with select clinicians. Insurance participation is not available to all clients and is based on clinician availability and practice policies. Clients receiving private-pay services may be asked to sign an acknowledgment confirming they are choosing out-of-network services.

3. Telehealth and Limited In-Person Services

Most services are provided via telehealth. Limited in-person options, including Walk-N-Talk Therapy (teens/adults) and Unpack & Play Therapy (children/teens), may be offered at the clinician’s discretion after at least four completed sessions.

These services are generally available seasonally from mid-April through October.

4. Session Length and Start Times

Standard sessions are approximately 45–50 minutes. This includes therapeutic work and time for wrap-up, scheduling, and next steps.

Due to the nature of clinical work, sessions may occasionally begin a few minutes late. Clinicians aim to begin within 3–5 minutes of the scheduled time whenever possible.

Extended sessions may be available based on clinician availability and may include additional fees.

5. Fees for Services

All professional services beyond the free 15-minute consultation are billable. This includes therapy sessions, coaching sessions, paperwork, letters, late cancellations, no-shows, and other administrative services.

Please refer to the Fees Page or contact the office for current rates.

6. Annual Fee Adjustments

Reduced-fee rates are temporary and subject to periodic increases until the standard fee is reached. Most fee increases occur in January each year. Please contact the office with questions about your current fee schedule.

7. Advance Payments

Private-pay clients may prepay for future sessions. Insurance clients may not prepay copays unless permitted by their plan or applicable regulations.

Clients receiving reduced-fee services should expect scheduled fee increases over time.

8. Late Cancellation Policy

A late cancellation occurs when a session is canceled less than 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Late cancellations incur a $82.50 plus a $2 admin fee and a $1.75 credit card processing fee unless waived under an approved emergency exception.

Example: A 3:00 PM session canceled at 3:00 PM on the day of session is considered a late cancellation.

9. No-Show Policy

A no-show occurs when a client has not attended or canceled the session within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time.

No-show fees are charged at the full agreed session rate. Insurance companies do not cover missed appointments, so clients using insurance are personally responsible for no-show fees.

Current no-show rates:

Individual: $165
Couples/Family of 2: $185
Family of 3–4: $215

10. Authorization to Charge Card on File

By receiving services, you authorize River In Eden Counseling to charge the payment method on file for outstanding balances, session fees, and applicable policy fees.

Balances may be charged in full or through scheduled partial payments unless a written payment arrangement has been approved.

11. Failed Payments

Clients are responsible for maintaining a valid payment method on file.

If payment fails due to insufficient funds, card restrictions, or other issues, the practice may:

Pause or end the current session, and/or
Require payment at least 24 hours in advance for future sessions for a minimum of six months after repeated failed payments.

12. Court, Legal, and Testimony Requests

Clinicians do not serve as character witnesses, expert witnesses, or advocates in personal legal matters.

If legally required (such as by subpoena or court order), or if clinically necessary for safety reasons, participation may be considered subject to clinician availability and applicable fees.

Legal services require an advance retainer and are billed separately for preparation time, consultation, court attendance, travel, and related expenses. Written fee quotes may be requested by contacting Patient Services at Info@RiverInEden.com.

13. Accessing the Patient Portal

Clients may access forms, documents, statements, invoices, and other account information through the secure patient portal at any time (https://riverineden.clientsecure.me).

14. Refunds and Emergency Fee Exceptions

Except for verified billing errors, fees are final and generally non-refundable.

At the practice’s discretion, fees may occasionally be waived or reversed in cases such as hardship, clinician courtesy, or approved emergencies.

For attendance purposes, emergencies are generally limited to situations involving:

Emergency room treatment
Urgent care treatment
Active emergency services involvement

Routine doctor appointments, minor illness, work schedule conflicts, or forgetting an appointment are not considered emergencies.

Documentation may be requested within three business days to review any exception request.

15. Automated Invoices and Scheduling Errors

Occasionally, a canceled or removed appointment may remain in the system and generate an automated reminder or invoice.

If you receive an invoice for a session that did not occur:

If the invoice shows an unpaid balance, no charge has been processed.
If the invoice shows paid with a zero balance, please contact the office promptly to request a refund or account credit.

Refund processing times may vary by financial institution.

16. Required Information on File

To maintain active services, all clients must keep the following current in the practice system:

Full legal name
Current address
Date of birth
Active payment method

Failure to maintain required information may delay or interrupt services.

17. Telehealth Conduct and Environment

Clients must be fully clothed and appropriately dressed during sessions.

Please attend sessions from a private, safe, and distraction-reduced environment whenever possible. Individuals not participating in treatment should not be present unless previously approved.

Children, infants, or pets may be present if they do not significantly interfere with the session.

18. Substance Use During Sessions

Clients may not use alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana (unless legally prescribed and clinically appropriate), or misuse prescription substances during sessions.

If a clinician believes a client is impaired to the point that treatment cannot safely or effectively continue, the session may be ended and charged as scheduled.

Light snacks, water, and brief restroom breaks are permitted. Please mute audio/video during breaks as appropriate.

19. Confirming Your Location for Telehealth

For safety and licensing reasons, clients must attend sessions from the state of New Jersey unless otherwise approved by the practice.

If you are not at the address listed in your portal, you must be prepared to provide your current location at the start of session so emergency services can be contacted if needed.

20. Documentation Requests

Approved documentation requests are typically completed within seven business days. The office is closed Thursday through Sunday.

Rush requests may be available for an additional fee:

$75 for documents up to 3 pages
$150 for documents 4+ pages

When approved, rush requests are generally completed within 24 business hours.

21. Communication Outside of Sessions

Messages sent outside of session times are not monitored continuously.

Clients should allow:

Up to 24 business hours for responses received during office hours (Monday–Thursday, 9:30 AM–5:00 PM)
Up to 48 business hours after reopening for messages sent outside office hours

If you are experiencing an emergency, contact 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis service immediately.

22. Floater Policy

Clients who cancel, late cancel, or no-show two times within a three-month period may lose their recurring appointment time and be placed on “floater status.”

Floater status means:

You remain a client of the practice
You no longer hold a recurring appointment slot
You must request appointments based on clinician availability

After three successfully attended sessions, recurring scheduling may be reconsidered. Repeated attendance issues may result in discharge from services.

23. New Jersey Residency Requirement

Clients must be physically located in New Jersey at the time of service unless otherwise authorized.

Clients living outside New Jersey may attend sessions only while physically present in New Jersey for the full duration of the appointment.

Special Program Policies

24. Open Path Collective (OPC)

Clients using Open Path Collective benefits must maintain an active OPC membership.

Current rates and program terms are determined by OPC and the practice. Reduced fees apply only while eligibility is active.

Extended sessions, missed appointment fees, and other non-covered services may carry additional charges.

25. Open Path Participation Requirements

All individuals participating in treatment under OPC must independently meet membership requirements when applicable.

Late cancellation and no-show fees still apply under the reduced-fee program. Current program-specific fees will be provided at intake or upon request.

26. Duration of Reduced-Fee Services (OPC)

To help serve as many community members as possible, reduced-fee services through OPC may be time-limited.

After the reduced-fee period ends, clients may:

Transition to standard private-pay services
Continue at an adjusted step-up rate, if available
Seek another participating provider through OPC

27. Mental Health Liberation Foundation Clients

When sessions are funded through the Mental Health Liberation Foundation, the Foundation pays for approved sessions only.

Clients remain responsible for any late cancellation fees, no-show fees, or services not covered by the Foundation.

When funded sessions end, clients may continue care through available self-pay options.

28. Give Back Program / Community Counseling Programs

Clients participating in sponsored reduced-fee or free counseling programs receive services for the designated program term only.

After the program ends, clients may be offered continued care at a reduced transitional rate based on availability.