One of the frustrations I have discovered in counseling are last minute scheduling changes or when a person is a “no show.” I understand that life Is unpredictable and are out of a person’s control, but ideally, if a person knows there are going to miss an appointment, let them know as soon as possible. Life is far from ideal.
When a new client schedules the first session, they are sent a handful of forms in which one is called “late cancellation/”no show” policy. Essentially, the policy says the person will be charged the rate of a full session if they fail to notify that they cannot make the appointment. I have maybe enforced that policy twice. More likely than not when this is done, I will get the money from the missed session, but I will not be seeing the client anymore. Setting this boundary indeed stings.
Why do I have this policy? A major reason is that is sets a really bad precedent if I continuously let a person miss a session a reschedule another over and over without any consequences. The time that has been missed is an hour I could have scheduled for another client who needs that time. In one sense this policy sets a boundary to protect a client’s scheduled time.
Another and probably the biggest reason is to show the significance and value of a person’s scheduled time. The agency that I started out accruing my hours with worked primarily with clients who are on Medicaid. It was not uncommon to see a note on a door from a person who was “in the neighborhood” wanting a session that had not been scheduled. One of the lessons that has stuck with me over the years is that a counselor at times has to teach another person how valuable “time” is. Some think they can just drop by at any time without a scheduled appointment. That would infringe on other clients who did go through the proper channels to make an appointment.
Going back to the “late cancellation/no-show” policy, it hurts to enforce that policy knowing I will most likely not see this person again. In the long run what it is doing is enforcing the rule that there will be consequences for either not cancelling within 24 hours or an appointment or not showing up at all.
This in turn helps to separate the ideal client who sees the value in being consistent and on time for sessions from the less-than-ideal client who expects a pass without there being any real weight to a missed session or repeatedly asking to reschedule a session at the very last minute.
Both times I have charged a client a full session fee for being a “no show” has resulted in them being customers. That is two less people before I find two ideal clients. What is an example of a boundary you have had to set that hurt a bit?
If you are looking for a therapist near you then a Google search is a great way of finding one. I happen to be a therapist in Charlotte, NC but am licensed to counsel anyone in the state of North Carolina. In Google, try looking for “psychotherapist,” “find therapist,” “therapy near me,” or even “counseling charlotte, nc.” If you feel like you have hit a wall you are not able to get past, call me at (704) 458-6298 or email me at jeffhelms@clearerthoughtspllc.com.
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