Who is Responsible for Payment for Court Ordered Therapy DSS or the Child’s Legal Guardians?
Summary I am a psychotherapist with a private practice. I recently started treating a minor who is presently in the custody of the Dept. of Social Services (DSS). The therapy was “court-ordered” and the supervising case worker in charge was given my name by a colleague. DSS hired me to work with the minor. They informed me that I would be paid partly by the biological parents’ insurance and the remainder by the parents. However, DSS did sign a general contract I use in my practice, which does stipulate responsibility of payment. The biological parents’ lawyer advised the parents not to agree to payment, as the therapy was court ordered and DSS was the legal guardian. Two months have passed and DSS is now telling me that they cannot pay me. What are my options and how do you recommend I proceed?
