Why do you charge no-show fees?

No-show and late cancellation fees are controversial in the therapy business.  There are times when fees for no-shows and late cancellations cause a complete breakdown of the therapeutic relationship.  It is a pain point among therapists for this very reason.  Why would we ever want to destroy the relationship we have worked so hard to build and maintain with a client?  

The simple answer is, we don’t.  

Before we dive further into that, I want to point out how common it is to be charged for a no-show or late cancellation at a doctor’s or dentist’s office.  It is even common to be charged when seeing an esthetician or hair stylist.  Some have even started requesting a non-refundable deposit before a service is even provided.  Why should a therapist’s office be any different?

Now, we jump back into that therapeutic relationship.  I know how hard it is to find a therapist you feel comfortable with and how a fee can sometimes feel like a personal attack or threat to that relationship.  However, I invite you to have a different perspective on this.  In any relationship, boundaries are necessary so that each person can feel safe and valued.  

In the same way that I would help you to recognize a boundary that needs to be set, I identify those in my life and career as well.  

In the same way that I would tell you to advocate for yourself, I look for ways to value myself too.

In the same way that I would help you find a way to talk to your boss about getting fair compensation for the time you work, I also have difficult conversations about getting the compensation I deserve.

In the same way that I would remind you of the boundaries you’ve stated before, I also remind myself of the boundaries I’ve established. 

Charging no-show and late cancellation fees is how I establish a boundary, value myself, and get fair compensation for my time.  These are the same concepts I have discussed in sessions with my clients.  Boundaries are not a personal attack, but instead are a way to protect our value.  I value your time and I appreciate that you value mine.  

We all make mistakes and mess up our schedules from time to time.  We are human and we are allowed to let our humanness show.  Allow yourself room to make the mistake and let’s keep moving forward with our therapeutic goals!

If you need to reschedule a session, please visit the client portal here.