Need advice- sessions missed Therapist still will charge full amount UK-

NYC78 · Feb 03, 2018, 06:07 AM

Hi all,

I previously stated that I had towards the end not a great therapy relationship, I ended all remaining sessions it would normally run still the end of February but Therapist outet me again to someone so I canceled some January session in numbers 3 and attended one for 20 Minutes to tell her I am not interested anymore.

Her policies were very blurry 6 years ago and she said for missed sessions she is charing 50 % but there was no time limit in the contract...so my questions is I NEVER signed a contract and I am not willing to pay her anymore money.

There were so many times sessions were she cancelled like 10 Minutes before I lost money from my work needed to take time off...should I charge her for that ?? It is a joke

My question is can she force me to pay go to a lawyer because I payed for last sessions there are maybe 10 pounds credit left she can have this but not 120 pounds.

Any thoughts ?

Lemoncake · Feb 03, 2018, 07:14 AM

How long ago was the last 20 min session? If you gave her more than 24-48 hours notice. I wouldn't pay her.

malika138 · Feb 03, 2018, 07:41 AM

Is she charging for the cancelled session, the final shortened session, or future appts? I have experienced the frustration of being billed for a termination session in which she made an egregious, life-threatening error and used the session to explain why it wasn't her fault. I ended up walking out early. When she had the nerve to send me a bill, I felt it was easier to pay and be done with her forever.

You should not be billed for sessions you cancelled with a 24-48 hr warning or for any sessions she may feel you contractually owe her in the future.

Good luck.

AllHeart · Feb 03, 2018, 11:46 AM

I don't live in the UK but I sure would hope that if you did not sign a contract, you would not be under any legal obligation to pay her the 120 pounds. If she pursues it, I would call her bluff by turning it around on her. I'd say "game on" -- you will pursue charging her for missing work when she cancelled then. I'd also insist on getting the 10 pounds you already paid back if she pushes this.

I would think if she really tries to back you down, consulting with a lawyer would be quick and easy. Do lawyers offer free consultations in the UK like they do in the USA?

NYC78 · Feb 03, 2018, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemoncake

How long ago was the last 20 min session? If you gave her more than 24-48 hours notice. I wouldn't pay her.

The last session with 20 minute was last week and yes I gave her notice always 24-48 hours.

NYC78 · Feb 03, 2018, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malika138

Is she charging for the cancelled session, the final shortened session, or future appts? I have experienced the frustration of being billed for a termination session in which she made an egregious, life-threatening error and used the session to explain why it wasn't her fault. I ended up walking out early. When she had the nerve to send me a bill, I felt it was easier to pay and be done with her forever.

You should not be billed for sessions you cancelled with a 24-48 hr warning or for any sessions she may feel you contractually owe her in the future.

Good luck.

Oh may that sounds like may one, I can´t talk to her anymore I do not trust her anymore and I feel I don't have to pay her

NYC78 · Feb 03, 2018, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllHeart

I don't live in the UK but I sure would hope that if you did not sign a contract, you would not be under any legal obligation to pay her the 120 pounds. If she pursues it, I would call her bluff by turning it around on her. I'd say "game on" -- you will pursue charging her for missing work when she cancelled then. I'd also insist on getting the 10 pounds you already paid back if she pushes this.

I would think if she really tries to back you down, consulting with a lawyer would be quick and easy. Do lawyers offer free consultations in the UK like they do in the USA?

Thank you and yes we do have lawyers over here too who offer free consultation and yes I had around 10 appointments with her cancelled which was super frustrating because I missed work

Lemoncake · Feb 03, 2018, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC78

The last session with 20 minute was last week and yes I gave her notice always 24-48 hours.

If you payed for that last session and told her already- I don't see how she can charge you.

NYC78 · Feb 03, 2018, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemoncake

If you payed for that last session and told her already- I don't see how she can charge you.

Yes correct but our sessions would have been preceded till February and I didn´t had in between sessions 3 in January which I did not attend but cancelled she wants them fully paid for.

LonesomeTonight · Feb 03, 2018, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC78

Yes correct but our sessions would have been preceded till February and I didn´t had in between sessions 3 in January which I did not attend but cancelled she wants them fully paid for.

Wait, she wants you to pay for sessions that you had canceled in advance? That doesn't seem fair. The only possible thing is I've heard of some people having an arrangement where they have a set time slot and have to pay whether they come or not (even if they know, say, weeks ahead they'll have to miss due to a vacation, say). If you had that sort of arrangement with her, then you may not have an option. But I imagine you would have had to sign something agreeing to that.

NYC78 · Feb 03, 2018, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonesomeTonight

Wait, she wants you to pay for sessions that you had canceled in advance? That doesn't seem fair. The only possible thing is I've heard of some people having an arrangement where they have a set time slot and have to pay whether they come or not (even if they know, say, weeks ahead they'll have to miss due to a vacation, say). If you had that sort of arrangement with her, then you may not have an option. But I imagine you would have had to sign something agreeing to that.

Thank you I have not and her agreement was very lose about I did not sign anything and she said that depends on the circumstance like e.g. illness I did not have to pay. But know somehow as we ending she believes I need to pay this.

I believe I legally don't have to pay her at all as I did not sign any contract

AllHeart · Feb 03, 2018, 03:46 PM

Also, I don't know what this means exactly, "Therapist outet me again to someone" but it sounds like she did something unethical/unprofessional. All the more reason to not pay her.

Feb 03, 2018, 04:17 PM

Around here, a verbal contract/agreement is just as legally binding as a written one - it's just much harder to prove. So not signing for something does not necessarily mean you don't have to hold up the agreement

However, in this case there doesn't appear to be an agreement. Difficult situation.

Feb 03, 2018, 04:18 PM

It sounds almost like extortion to me. Using the help she does give you to pressure you into paying for cancelled sessions.

NYC78 · Feb 03, 2018, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllHeart

Also, I don't know what this means exactly, "Therapist outet me again to someone" but it sounds like she did something unethical/unprofessional. All the more reason to not pay her.

with this I meant that my therapist said to another person we both know that I a seeking therapist for me unethical behavior and therefore I cancel nearly all sessions in January and finally all remaining sessions in Feb.

NYC78 · Feb 03, 2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breadfish

It sounds almost like extortion to me. Using the help she does give you to pressure you into paying for cancelled sessions.

yeah this is how I feel

Feb 03, 2018, 07:01 PM

I believe it is pretty much standard everywhere to charge a patient for a missed appointment. After all, it is the patient's responsibility to either get there or advise the office they can't at least 24hrs beforehand. It is entirely up to the office/caregiver to decide on the amount. Remember, the office and caregiver lose money on patients that never show up. It is simply not fair to them. To cry foul of this is, well it is being disrespectful and self centered.

maybeblue · Feb 03, 2018, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justafriend306

I believe it is pretty much standard everywhere to charge a patient for a missed appointment. After all, it is the patient's responsibility to either get there or advise the office they can't at least 24hrs beforehand. It is entirely up to the office/caregiver to decide on the amount. Remember, the office and caregiver lose money on patients that never show up. It is simply not fair to them. To cry foul of this is, well it is being disrespectful and self centered.

But it sounds like she did cancel way more than 24 hours ahead of time.

AllHeart · Feb 03, 2018, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justafriend306

I believe it is pretty much standard everywhere to charge a patient for a missed appointment. After all, it is the patient's responsibility to either get there or advise the office they can't at least 24hrs beforehand. It is entirely up to the office/caregiver to decide on the amount. Remember, the office and caregiver lose money on patients that never show up. It is simply not fair to them. To cry foul of this is, well it is being disrespectful and self centered.

Did you even read the original post??

maybeblue · Feb 03, 2018, 07:41 PM

I don't know the laws in the UK, or what the consequences of not paying would be. I would think that she would have to sue you to force you to pay. She might not want the hassle of that. So if you write a letter saying that you are not paying and why, she might end up dropping it.

You could be proactive and file a complaint against her, either with the agency where she works or maybe from the consumer's association: https://www.gov.uk/consumer-protection-rights . They might be able to help you fight the charges.

Wonderfalls · Feb 03, 2018, 09:12 PM

I'm still confused about why you stopped with her. "...I a seeking therapist for me". I get she did something you considered to be unethical and that's why you dropped her, but are you saying she was looking for (another) therapist for you?

tecomsin · Feb 03, 2018, 09:33 PM

How much money are we talking about in total that she says you owe?

NYC78 · Feb 04, 2018, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justafriend306

I believe it is pretty much standard everywhere to charge a patient for a missed appointment. After all, it is the patient's responsibility to either get there or advise the office they can't at least 24hrs beforehand. It is entirely up to the office/caregiver to decide on the amount. Remember, the office and caregiver lose money on patients that never show up. It is simply not fair to them. To cry foul of this is, well it is being disrespectful and self centered.

thank you and it is simple not fair when someone is unethical and disclose your information like the did to another business because she was friends with them

NYC78 · Feb 04, 2018, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllHeart

Also, I don't know what this means exactly, "Therapist outet me again to someone" but it sounds like she did something unethical/unprofessional. All the more reason to not pay her.

she disclosed personal information to another business from me