For not wanting to pay my therapist when I was sick!!

[Anonymous2566]

So, I’ve been seeing my therapist for about a year and things are going well. I’ve been very dedicated and always attend my sessions and pay upfront. My issue is, the cancellation policy. The agreement stipulates that I must give 72 hours notice for cancellation, otherwise the full payment is due. I was sick a few weeks back and let my therapist know on the day, she wished me better, advised me to relax and then put something about the cancellation policy, but that she didn’t wish to charge me on this occasion. Again, I have been sick and had to cancel my session on the day. She sent a similar message, wishing me better etc, but this time included something like “I’m afraid this is very short notice to cancel
without charge” and then offered a reschedule, which was online and didn’t suit as I was still feeling poorly.

AIBU to not want to pay this? How could I possibly give 72 hours notice when I woke up sick?!! It’s seem a little inflexible.

And how do you think she pays her mortgage?

It sounds like she has been very reasonable.

She's got a job to do. If you cancel last minute she can't fill your slot, so you have to pay.

If I cancel my cleaner or DD’s violin lesson, other DD’s dance lesson, I pay - that’s completely standard. If they cancel, you don’t pay. So, yes, you need to pay.

You’re paying for the slot. No one else can use it.

The first session will have been a goodwill gesture.

If all the clients on a day were sick and the therapist got no money how would they earn a living.

Think of it like tickets for an event, if you are not well enough to go unfortunately you’re out of pocket. It is annoying but is what it is. Could you switch your appointment to online if you’re not well enough to go out but able to get the benefit of a session?

Of course you have to pay. It's a reasonable term to have and any person or company who doesn't have such a term would be incredibly foolish.

The therapist was kind enough to give you a pass on the first cancelled lesson so please don't be awkward about it now.

It's pretty standard I think - my therapist certainly has this in their T&Cs (as well as offering to switch to online if you're okay but not feeling up to coming in). They're unlikely to fill the gap at short notice so it's fair enough really.

YABU. She’s not giving you therapy just because she’s a lovely person who likes helping people. It’s her profession.

It's a business not a charity

i think the point is that she is unable to schedule someone else at such short notice, meaning lost income. It sounds like she has a very clear policy, was gracious enough to give you a pass the first time while reminding you of her cancellation policy, so only fair that she upholds the policy second time around. This is the whole point of ts and cs - if you weren’t okay with them then you shouldn’t have engaged her services.

Shes running a business. She has bills to pay. If you cancel at short notice thats a wasted time slot

Shes been reasonable. She waived it the first time you can't expect her to keep waiving it.

If you don't pay it you'll probably need yo find a new therapist

YABVVU

I think it’s more to do with that you’ve cancelled twice now. She was kind/generous to not charge once, but obviously she can’t do it a couple of weeks in quick succession.

ask if she’ll do it by zoom/teleheath?

It doesn't really make any difference to you though does it?

You've paid it anyway.

Generally therapy takes place at a specific time each week with that therapist and she will hold that slot for the client as long as they're working together. Her policy is pretty standard, I think. I agree that it's tough when you're ill and I have been on the receiving end of that, but think of it as holding your slot.

My counsellor had the same terms. It's only fair.

OP- How many last minute cancellations do YOU think are reasonable then???
Your therapist has been reasonable giving you 1 session 'free' where they lost money!

The cancellation policy is in the T&Cs. She waived cost on first occasion in interest of customer service when she didn't have to. Just as you can’t let her know about sudden sickness with 72hrs notice she can’t magic up another client your fill your spot with just a couple of hours notice. Just tough luck I’m afraid.

Find another therapist with a different kind of cancellation policy.

I totally get the point that you can't predict sickness. I've been in that position but I just happily pay up as I have a thing about appearing a tight arse and if I clicked well with the therapist I wouldn't want to jeopardise the relationship over something like this

I think they have been reasonable seeing it's the second time and it comes across quite entitled to think on a second occasion you shouldn't have to pay. Just pay up and appreciate the therapist for letting it go first time.

I agree with the others. And if you didn’t agree with her terms, why continue to use her? I had to cancel a session with mine and I sent the payment before I emailed her. She can’t pay her bills with buttons.

Can't honestly believe what I read on here sometimes. And if it's not clear, YABVVVVVVVU

Even my nail technician has those terms. If you cancel within 24 hours you have to pay - unless she can fill it with another client.

I do a similar job and had 3 people cancel yesterday. Too short notice to replace them, still had to pay for clinic space, and childcare. I hope you don't get paid because some one doesn't show up.

She’s not penalising you, she has to pay her bills. The first time she was generous, the second time she gave you an alternative option. Accepting that if you are significantly unwell this might not work for you, she has genuinely tried to accommodate you. Could you ask to reschedule the offered online session as a way to ease yourself back into face-to-face? She has been very flexible with you, despite the fact that you’ve doubtless violated her cancellation policy that you previously agreed to.