New Cancellation Policy

This is the new cancellation policy effective for all clients starting in 2010 and later. Existing clients may be transitioned to the new policy on a case by case basis. The old policy may be found here.

Excessive cancellations should be avoided because keeping therapy appointments on a consistent basis is essential to making meaningful progress.

If you and I decide to work together, I will usually schedule one forty-five minute session (one appointment hour of forty-five minutes duration) per week at a mutually agreed time. Once this appointment hour is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it. For clients with weekly appointments, four free absences are allowed per year.* You are responsible for payment of any additional absences beyond those allowed, regardless of the reason or type of absence. These include absences of all types, including illness, advance cancellations, late cancellations, and no-shows. Holidays and other days the office is closed will not count as absences.

I appreciate the courtesy of at least 24 hours notice if you know that you will not be able to attend a scheduled appointment. However, regardless of whether you have provided such notice or not, you will be charged for missed appointments that exceed the allotted number of free absences.

In instances where your insurance company limits the number of sessions covered per year, you will be responsible for payment of sessions that exceed such limitations.

You will be required to keep a credit card or check card on file and to provide signed authorization that this card may be charged for absences that extend beyond the allowed number. You will be responsible for updating your credit card information whenever it may change.

In situations where a client shows a pattern of excessive cancellations and efforts to address the situations are unsuccessful, the client may lose their reserved appointment hour. Such situations are rare and are usually resolved successfully.

Additional important information regarding cancellation and fees may be read in the Outpatient Services Contract.

*Addendum 07/28/11: The allowance of four free absences per year will be issued 30 days following the initial consultation. New clients will be responsible for payment for any absences that occur within the first 30 days.

*Addendum 02/27/12: Please note that although the cancellation policy is described in terms of absences within the course of a year, you have the right to end therapy at any time–please see the Termination Policy.