Missed sessions happen from time to time. Sometimes you cannot attend due to appointment clashes, sometimes a situation occurs that makes attending impossible, sometimes you might just simply have forgotten that we had an appointment.
If you need to cancel attending a session: simply contact me to let me know. If we have an ongoing weekly agreement for counselling, or you are a member of a group, your next session will be available for you next week as usual.
Missed appointments & Fees.
If you miss a session without notice, your next planned session will still be available for you the following week (excluding any vacation or planned absences that either you or I have previously discussed & agreed upon, for up to a maximum of two missed sessions). This is because of our contract to meet weekly.
Concerning fees, we will already have discussed this policy during our initial meetings:
- The full session fee is payable if you cancel the session within forty-eight hours of the appointment time, or if you do not attend your session having given no prior notice of your absence.
- Half the session fee is payable if you cancel the session with more than 48 hours notice.
- No fee is charged for the first four sessions that coincide with your planned holidays.
- No fee is charged for my absences – planned or otherwise.
- Bank holidays are not charged.
Unusual exceptions will be discussed in session.
Being Late for a Session.
If you are going to be late for a session, please try and come anyway. For a planned session, I will always stay at our meeting location for the full session. When you arrive we’ll make use of what time is available, though cannot extend the session time due to the next person’s appointment.
It might be helpful if you leave me a voice or email message if you’re going to be late but are on your way (I check both services before sessions – and during a session time if an expected-client does not appear without prior notice).
Repeated absences/lateness.
If you find you are repeatedly cancelling, or missing sessions, it will be worth us having a conversation about what might be happening for you (anxiety, needing to end counselling, feeling that the counselling is not holding you well etc). This behaviour might be an unconscious communication that we both might find helpful to talk through with an air of interest and curiosity.
DNA.
For clients who stop attending sessions and don’t tell me what’s happening (Does Not Attend, or “DNA”) – I will reserve your session for up to two missed appointments. Afterwards, if I still have not heard from you, I will not reserve your session day & time and release it to become available for someone else. I will also let you know that this is happening.
You can always contact me again to resume sessions in the future by contacting me.