[canuck1971]

I had terrible stomach flu last few days, I called T in morning to cancel appt. Her office manager called saying that I will be charged for missed appt because was less than 24 hours notice

I understand cancellation policy, I know t's need to get paid

But I haven't missed an appt in 4 years. Just was hoping she would take it on case by case basis and give me a break.

Logical part understands, but the more immature part wants to cancel all appts because T doesnt really care about us, just sees us as a paycheque

Should have gone in a puked all over her office

[velcro003]

Originally Posted by canuck1971

Should have gone in a puked all over her office

hehehe. I also was charged once when I called in sick on the day of. I was surprised and a little upset, and she was just like "sorry, thats my policy." I didn't like it, but also am a wuss and never said anything. Luckily I don't get sick very often, so its only happened once.

[Syra]

If the therapist got sick, would she give you a free session (I had a therapist mess up before and I got a free sesion out of it)? If not, then sickness seems a legitimate excuse to not have to pay for a missed appointment. Would she prefer you to come in sick?

[Shiny Things]

Canuck1971, sorry this happened and I hope you feel healthier soon! I would think after 4 yrs of never missing an appt the office would give you a break. I guess that's business.

[wotchermuggle]

Yeah that's kind of a mean thing to do if you've NEVER missed an appointment. I know there are boundaries, but sheesh.

[ECHOES]

I understand cancellation policy, I know t's need to get paid

But I haven't missed an appt in 4 years. Just was hoping she would take it on case by case basis and give me a break.

When you are feeling better, I suggest you call back and ask them to not bill you for the only missed appointment in 4 years. They might not waive it, but at least you will have stood up for you! And if they waive the cancellation fee, then even better!

[anilam]

My T has a 7 days cancellation policy so yeah 24 hrs seems fair enough:-))
I pay for my cancelled session- not very often but it does happen- and I don't mind. I like rules (if they are known in advance and BOTH parties follow them). Works as a safety net.
Plus then you don't have to think about this if she liked me/cared she wouldn't charge me...

Honestly I don't think it matters that it was your first one in four yrs- but well, that just me.

Thems the rules. You're not the only client whose never missed. The blanket rule stops any misunderstandings & favourism. It keeps you 'safe'. Though it doesn't feel that way. But if say 2 clients just happened to know each other, found out one got charged another didn't.......well you can guess the rest.

[Moodswing]

You should have gone in and puked all over. What does this teach us. Therapy helps us mirror desired behavior. You are not someone who's cancelation policy needs to be forced upon. They are there for the people who always cancel. This would harbor bad feelings for me and most likely would have a hard time continuing therapy with this person. It is a insult. I am angry for you.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by canuck1971

But I haven't missed an appt in 4 years. Just was hoping she would take it on case by case basis and give me a break.

Logical part understands, but the more immature part wants to cancel all appts because T doesnt really care about us, just sees us as a paycheque

Should have gone in a puked all over her office

I understand completely.

[WikidPissah]

Totally unfair. I get the cancellation policy, but it should be waved in case of emergency, especially for someone who never cancels. My t had a policy, yet she canceled last minute on me several times. I should bill her... hmmmmmmm.

[tinyrabbit]

Do you have a copy of your T's cancellation policy? Mine is very clear:

For up to two appointments per year, I can cancel more than a week ahead and pay nothing for the missed appointment; or cancel between 48 hours and a week ahead and pay 50%. If I cancel less than 48 hours ahead, I have to pay the full fee. If I've already cancelled twice, I have to pay the full fee.

This is fine by me. The way I see it, that hour of my T's time is worth the agreed fee whether I'm there using it or not. It would bother me if he didn't charge me if I didn't go. It would upset the balance, somehow, and imply that he didn't need to charge me. My unconscious wouldn't react well, I'm sure of it.

If I'm ever off sick, the money I pay ensures that my slot is still mine.

I don't think your T does just see you as a paycheck. That's very black and white thinking. Your T doesn't just see you as a paycheck, but you are your T's boss. You need to pay for your slot whether you use it or not, because it's yours!

[stopdog]

I think the one I see has a 24 hour policy, but I usually cancel right after the appointment, so I give a week's notice. I have cancelled at the 24 hour mark or less for work a couple of times, but she has cancelled the morning of the appointment too so that seems to be a wash and no talk of payment came about.
I have read of therapists who basically require a client to pay for all but time they are gone on vacation. I personally would not work with a therapist who needed more notice than 24 hours or had a no more than x number of cancellations in a year. I realize there are others who do not mind such a position on the part of the therapist. I do, so I do not hire therapists who work like that.

[tinyrabbit]

If Ts are too lax, some clients will take advantage.

[stopdog]

If clients are too lax, some therapists will take advantage too.

I'm adult. I understand the cancellation policy. Adult life is hard sometimes.

[tinyrabbit]

The way I see it, my therapy hour has a price. It costs that much whether I use it or not. Just as I have to pay for a new pair of jeans, regardless of whether I go on to wear them.

If the fee could be easily waived, I think my unconscious would take that badly. I might start worrying that my therapy hour wasn't always there. It would mess with my sense of consistency and constancy, things I struggle with anyway.

Also, the fact is you're paying a professional to keep that time open for you. It's not their fault you're ill. I'm self-employed. It's not feasible to allow people to just suddenly cancel work and not pay me. You are your therapist's boss. Would you think it was okay if your boss docked your wages because they were ill and stopped you from doing your job as a result?

[canuck1971]

However she has cancelled on me due to illness or her child being ill and I gave her benefit of the doubt, I was expecting the same courtesy.

It just put a damper on the therapeutic relationship

Have you actually spoken to your T about this because from what you've said, it was the office manager who called, not your T. Office managers do what office managers do, but it might be as simple as bringing this up to your T to get this straightened out. Don't make a bookkeeping issue be about your therapy if a simple discussion can possibly clear this up. Your T may know nothing about the phone call even.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by canuck1971

However she has cancelled on me due to illness or her child being ill and I gave her benefit of the doubt, I was expecting the same courtesy.

It just put a damper on the therapeutic relationship

Definitely speak to your T about this. She may not even be aware that you were charged as it sounds like it was administrative staff who called you. I think your point about how you were understanding when her child got ill is a good one. You made an exception for her and were flexible, it seems only right she should do the same for you. It's not like you get sick often and frequently miss appointments on short notice. Once my T was so late for an appointment that I just left (45 minutes and there was another client right after my scheduled time). I did leave him a phone message. At my next appointment he did not charge me to make up for the time I had wasted the week before. I really appreciated that.

[critterlady]

I can't imagine having a 7-day cancellation policy. I don't even have confirmed appointments a week ahead of time. I have my customary days and times, but they're not in his book until the session before.

If I had to cancel within 24 hours, I'd prefer that T charge me as per his policy. Money boundaries are difficult for me and getting special treatment with fees would not go well.

[canuck1971]

T called me back, she said it was office policy

However she agreed to split the cost and charge only $90

I am too tired to keep arguing

Whatever.....still part of me is resentful....especially since she has cancelled on me same day before for illness

Originally Posted by canuck1971

T called me back, she said it was office policy

However she agreed to split the cost and charge only $90

I am too tired to keep arguing

Whatever.....still part of me is resentful....especially since she has cancelled on me same day before for illness

So the next time she cancels on you, bill her for $90 and only pay half the next session.

[Syra]

Originally Posted by _Mouse

I'm adult. I understand the cancellation policy. Adult life is hard sometimes.

Life is hard sometimes. People die, get sick, the economy tanks.

This is a choice.

I understand the cancellation policy too. I woudln't file it under "life is hard."
I would file it under "I don't like that rule. It seems unfair." I don't know any professionals that stick to it rigidly. They stick to it if the person is irresponsible. But many give 1-freebie, and make allowances for being sick - staying home being preferable to coming. Basically the rule is isn't just, $x if you don't make it, but I also expect you to come if you are sick.


Now, if the T agree to give me a free session everytime she had to cancel for illness or emergencies or whatever, I might reconsider.

I too would have gone in, carrying a bucket. And puked in her office if necessary