Missed Session and Cancellation Policy
Life happens, and sometimes you need to cancel therapy. As a Seattle therapist, I maintain a 24 business hour cancellation policy that balances flexibility with the sustainability of my practice. Let me explain exactly how this works, why these policies exist, and how we can work together when unexpected situations arise.
My Cancellation Policy
The 24 Business Hour Rule
What This Means:
Cancel 24 business hours before your appointment
No charge for any reason with proper notice
Full fee charged for late cancellations
Business hours = Monday-Friday working hours
Examples:
Monday 3pm appointment → Cancel by Friday 3pm
Tuesday 10am appointment → Cancel by Monday 10am
Friday 2pm appointment → Cancel by Thursday 2pm
Monday 9am appointment → Cancel by Thursday 5pm
Key Point: Flexibility Built In
No Questions Asked with Notice
Don't need to explain why
No judgment about reasons
Your privacy respected
Simple notification sufficient
Multiple Cancellation Methods
Phone: 619-993-8465
Email: elissa@elissahurand.com
Text (if established)
Voicemail is fine
Why Cancellation Policies Matter
The Business Reality
Reserved Time
Your slot is exclusively yours
I can't book other clients
Office overhead continues
Income depends on sessions
When you book a session, I:
Block the time entirely
Turn away other requests
Plan my schedule around it
Prepare for our work
The Therapeutic Frame
Consistency Matters
Regular attendance aids progress
Patterns reveal important info
Commitment deepens work
Boundaries create safety
Mutual Respect
Values both our time
Professional relationship
Clear expectations
Predictable structure
Industry Standard
My 24-hour policy is actually flexible:
Many require 48 hours
Some charge partial fees
Others have stricter terms
Mine balances needs
Special Circumstances
When You Can't Make It In-Person
Always Offered: Remote Option although exceptions to the cancellation policy are not made, if for whatever reason you cannot make it into the office for your appointment, you will always have the option of doing a video or phone session during the hour you have reserved.
Benefits of Remote Backup
Maintains Consistency
Keep therapeutic momentum
Process current events
Avoid cancellation fee
Honor commitment
Sometimes Even Better
Can attend while ill
No commute stress
In comfortable space
Still productive
Common Cancellation Scenarios
Advance Planning
Best Practice Examples:
"I have a work trip in 3 weeks"
"My kid's surgery is scheduled"
"I'm moving next month"
"Holiday plans confirmed"
We can:
Skip those weeks
Reschedule in advance
Plan around events
No charges incurred
True Emergencies
Life-Threatening Situations: While policy technically applies:
Human compassion exists
Case-by-case basis
Safety always first
We'll work it out
Examples:
Medical emergency
Family crisis
Accident
Natural disaster
Preventing Charges
Strategies That Work:
Calendar alerts
Phone reminders
Schedule consistently
Plan ahead
Communicate early
If You're Running Late:
Call/text immediately
We'll use remaining time
Better than missing entirely
Partial session valuable
Patterns and Therapeutic Meaning
When Cancellations Increase
We might explore:
Resistance to difficult work
Life overwhelming therapy
Ambivalence about change
Financial stress
Relationship with commitment
This isn't judgment, it's information.
Working with Patterns
If frequent cancellations:
Discuss openly
Adjust if needed
Problem-solve together
Find sustainable rhythm
Honor your needs
The Therapeutic Relationship
Why I Maintain This Policy
For Both of Us:
Sustainable practice for me
Consistent support for you
Professional boundaries
Mutual respect
Enables My Best Work:
Financial stability
Reasonable schedule
Energy for clients
Ongoing training
How We Navigate Together
Open Communication:
Discuss concerns
Plan proactively
Problem-solve together
Maintain connection
Flexibility Within Structure:
Clear policy exists
Human understanding too
Creative solutions
Collaborative approach
Making It Work
Tips for Success
Scheduling:
Same day/time weekly
After work commitments
Consider traffic patterns
Buffer time built in
Realistic planning
Communication:
Save contact info
Know preferred method
Don't hesitate to reach out
Earlier notice is better
Stay connected
When to Reconsider Timing
If repeatedly struggling:
Different day needed?
Time adjustment?
Frequency change?
Life too chaotic?
Honest assessment
The Bottom Line
My 24-hour cancellation policy:
Respects both our time
Includes flexible options
Maintains professional frame
Supports consistent work
Enables sustainable practice
The remote option means you almost never need to lose a session or incur a fee with basic planning.
Your Success Matters
During our work together:
We'll review policy clearly
Find sustainable rhythm
Navigate challenges together
Maintain therapeutic frame
Prioritize your progress
Together we'll make it work for your life while maintaining the consistency needed for effective therapy.
