Psychologist cancellation Fees

[Sunflowerrs]

I had a really rough 24 hours, spent hours on the phone to lifeline and was nearly taken to hospital..Today I didn't feel up to seeing my psychologist, so I explinaed what happened & cancelled the appt. she's charged me with a $60 late fee?? I didn't do anything wrong, and I don't understand why they would charge for something like that, when it's outside of my control? This seems really dumb

[JessF]

Hello Sunflowers, I'm sorry you've had such a rough 24 hours. Unfortunately, it is pretty standard for all health practitioners to charge a cancellation fee if you give less than 24 hours notice in my experience.

Personally, I think if you have been having a crisis then that is a good reason NOT to cancel an appointment with your psychologist, it sounds like it would have been of benefit for you to talk through the experience and work out a strategy for coping next time.

I know that depression and anxiety can make you feel overwhelmed, but sometimes we have to try and push through and challenge ourselves when our thoughts tell us to do things that are not in our best interst, and also challenge the false beliefs. For example, you say that this situation was out of your control, but you also acknowledge that you chose not to go to the appointment because you "didn't feel up to" going. Not going to the appointment was a choice that you made, and every choice we make has a consequence.

[Sunflowerrs]

I'm still learning, I'm happy to ackowledge that.

It saddens me to see this post, it really does.

I'm glad I didn't see my psychologist, I know the details of what's happened forme, I have the full story. I'm happy to pay the cancellation fee because I know I put my health first today. I am taking responsibility by doing that. With kindness, you don't know my situation. I did come here upset, so thats my bad.

[JessF]

I'm sorry if what I wrote came across as harsh. You're right, I don't know your situation, and I was only going off what you had posted.

I do know from my experience though that sometimes I've had to really push myself to get out the door, when I've had my mind screaming at me to stay in bed and shut the world out. Each time I've fought that voice and taken that step outside was one step closer to feeling better.

You of course are best placed to know what your needs are, and if your approach for dealing with this is working for you in the long term.