In my practice, the cancellation policy is simple. To avoid incurring a charge, I tell clients that cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. If they cancel with less notice, they are still charged a session fee. This is standard protocol that most people accept.

However, having been a client, I think about the reverse situation: does the therapist owe a 24 hour notice to the client if she needs to cancel a session? Therapists I’ve seen have rarely missed session without notice; I’ve been well informed when they plan to take vacation, etc. But once in awhile people do get the flu, or the car breaks down, or something happens that prevents the therapist from being able to keep the appointment. The client is left without the meeting they may have come to depend on, with nothing given for the inconvenience.

This is why I decided to implement a policy of equivalence. If I need to cancel an appointment last-minute and can’t reschedule it within the next two days, then I don’t charge my client for the next session. In other words, I pay them for their time, just as I require them to pay me.

It just seems right and fair. After all, I work for the client.