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.

This has been picked up by counselling groups on Facebook.

Well, I hope they know that not everyone feels the same as the OP

They're very heartened by the responses.

As a small business owner, I think this is fair. She didn’t charge you for the first session you missed but charged you for the second missed session which seems fair. It’s difficult to fill sessions at short notice, resulting in lost income. She had set aside the time for you and can’t afford to loose the income. Remember you’re one of many clients all of who will need to cancel sessions from time to time.

Who do you think is going to pay your therapist when you are sick? Or do you think she should just forgo her fee?

“It seems a little inflexible”…
you know what else is “inflexible” - her mortgage!
Of course you should pay!

Are you just looking for sympathy? Yes you are being unreasonable to think the cancellation policy does not apply to you. Just pay up and avoid any fallout. Your therapist has every right to not book any further sessions with you if you don't pay so is that worth the risk? She has been very considerate so far, consideration should work both ways in a business relationship.

There is a big difference in the financial impact of you being understanding about your therapist being unwell on two occasions in a year when it costs you nothing (presumably she didn’t charge you for this) and her being understanding knowing it negatively impacts her income. She was more than kind and understanding by wishing you well, giving you one cancelled session free of charge and offering you an online alternative for the second. Why did you start seeing her if you did not like the T&Cs you agreed to?

Whether you attend or not, she will still be paying for things like professional indemnity and public liability insurance, her registration body’s fees and possibly CPD, supervision and clinic fees too. It’s nobody’s fault if either of you are ill and any decent human being understands this. However, in the first instance, (therapist’s illness) you miss a session but are better off than you expected to be and she is worse off. What you are asking for is that when you are ill and miss a session, you should still be the one who is better off than you expected and once again she is worse off. Can’t you see how unfair that is?