Respecting Your Time (and Mine): Why Therapy Has Cancellation Fees
Why Therapy Has Cancellation & No-Show Fees
Have you ever wondered why therapy has cancellation or no-show fees? Or felt unsure or even frustrated when one comes up? I completely understand — these fees can feel confusing, and it’s normal to have a range of emotions about them. They aren’t about punishment or judgment. Instead, they’re here to protect the time, energy, and progress of both you and your therapist. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported, heard, and clear about how appointments and scheduling work, so you can focus on your growth instead of worrying about logistics.
Consistency Matters
Therapy works best when we can meet regularly, but I also get that life is unpredictable and sometimes things come up. Missing a session isn’t a failure — it’s just a pause in the process. Think of therapy like learning a new skill or training for a race: each session builds on the last. When we meet consistently, progress feels smoother and more steady. Even if a session is missed, the work we’ve done together still matters, and we can pick up where we left off. Everyone’s life is different, and unexpected events happen — what matters is how we work together to keep the momentum going.
Why Fees Exist
When you schedule a session, that time is reserved just for you. It’s your space to be seen, heard, and supported, and I’m also preparing mentally and emotionally to make that time as meaningful as possible.
As therapists, we don’t always love talking about money, and I know it can feel uncomfortable. I’ve even heard people say, “If you’re in it to help people, you shouldn’t charge these fees,” and I understand why that sentiment exists. But the truth is, this is a hard job — emotionally, mentally, and even physically. We love what we do and the work we get to share with you, but like anyone else, we deserve to be paid for our time and expertise. We only get paid when we see a client, which is one of the reasons these fees exist: to protect the dedicated time we set aside for you and to keep the schedule fair so that everyone who needs support can access it.
A Perspective You Can Relate To
Sometimes it helps to put it into perspective with an example. Imagine going to work for eight hours, fully showing up and giving your energy, but only getting paid for seven because something came up or someone didn’t show. That’s essentially what some people expect therapists to do — to be fully present, emotionally invested, and prepared, but not compensated if a session is missed. Cancellation and no-show fees exist to prevent that from happening. They ensure that the time, energy, and care we dedicate to each session are respected. It’s not about punishing anyone — it’s about honoring the work and the commitment we both make in therapy.
How Fees Support Your Growth
Understanding these fees is also part of how therapy works best for you. When sessions are consistent and the time we set aside is respected, it helps you stay invested in the process and get the most out of our work together. Fees aren’t about punishment — they’re about creating a structure that supports your growth. When you do show up, we can give you our full attention, energy, and care.
Communication & Flexibility
The simplest way to avoid cancellation or no-show fees is clear communication. Life happens, and sometimes emergencies or unexpected events come up — that’s completely understandable. Letting me know as soon as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel a session helps protect your time, your progress, and the schedule for other clients who may need support. Giving adequate notice allows us to adjust without disrupting the momentum we’ve built together, and it keeps your therapy consistent while respecting everyone’s time.
I sometimes waive a cancellation fee the first time it happens as a way to offer empathy, support, and a chance to talk through the policies. After that, fees stay in place, because honoring these boundaries ensures that I can continue showing up fully for you — just as you show up and respect the time and energy we share in our sessions.
Therapy is a Partnership
At the end of the day, therapy is a partnership. These policies exist to help both of us get the most out of your sessions. They’re not about punishment — they’re about honoring your time, your progress, and the commitment you’ve made to yourself. If you ever have questions about fees or scheduling, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m happy to talk it through, and we can always find solutions that make sense for your situation. My goal is to make therapy accessible, effective, and supportive every step of the way, so that you feel seen, heard, and supported throughout the process.
