I see the whole LCM situation a lot differently now that I did originally. We react the way we do (appalled, horrified, outraged) because this is a psychotherapy forum and we assume that's her role in the OP's life; but it's not. She's a support to the OP, and from what I gather the OP uses the money her parents send her for living expenses to pay for that support instead of using it for other things.

So now I see this as simply (or not simply) an important relationship to growlithing, but not a therapeutic one. It belongs more on the relationship forum than here, where it will be held to a different ethical standard, but this is where everyone sort of knows the deal. I guess it doesn't raise red flags for me anymore because it's a real life relationship with all the risks and benefits of being hurt/helped/messed up. Maybe one day, therapy can help sort it all out, but that's not going to do any good unless the OP wants it.