Cancellations and No-Shows
Overview
Appointments are scheduled in advance at times reserved exclusively for our patients. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible care, and we appreciate your commitment to your therapy progress and the respect you show for the time and resources dedicated to your care. We understand that life can sometimes bring unexpected challenges and disruptions, leading to missed or rescheduled therapy sessions. While we strive to be understanding and flexible, it’s important to realize that missed or rescheduled appointments can result in several consequences.
Your Progress
Missing a therapy appointment can have a significant impact on your therapy progress and overall therapeutic journey. Therapy is a collaborative process that relies on consistent attendance and active engagement. Each session is an opportunity for self-reflection, exploration, and growth. When you miss an appointment, it disrupts the continuity of the therapeutic process, making it challenging to build upon the previous session’s insights and discoveries. It also disrupts the momentum and flow of the therapeutic work, potentially requiring additional sessions to regain the same level of depth and understanding. In addition, consistency and trust are vital components of therapy, and when appointments are missed without sufficient notice, it can potentially strain the therapeutic alliance. Open and honest communication is the foundation of a successful therapeutic relationship, and actively participating in scheduled sessions is a crucial part of that process.
Waiting Lists
Due to the high demand for our services, we often have a waiting list for individuals who are seeking therapy. Our waiting list consists of individuals who are eager to start their therapeutic journey and are patiently awaiting an available appointment. Missed or rescheduled appointments create a gap in a therapist’s schedule that cannot be filled by another person in need, which means that someone else who could benefit from therapy will have to wait longer for an available appointment. We are committed to our responsibility to serve as many individuals as possible and reduce wait times. By honoring your scheduled appointments, you not only support your own progress but also contribute to the efficient use of therapy resources and help us serve individuals on our waiting list more promptly.
Our Commitment
At River Oaks Psychology, our mission is centered around helping individuals live their best lives by providing comprehensive and compassionate care. Our therapists devote their expertise, time, and energy to provide you with the support and guidance you need. Your attendance and active participation during sessions enable us to tailor our approach specifically to your unique needs and circumstances. This collaboration between you and your therapist forms a strong foundation for progress, healing, and positive change. In addition, honoring your therapy appointments demonstrates respect for the therapeutic process and acknowledges the importance of prioritizing your mental and emotional well-being. It sends a message to yourself and others that you are committed – just as we are – to investing in your personal growth and taking proactive steps towards self-improvement. We wholeheartedly believe in the importance of this.
Our Policy
Late-Cancellations or Late-Rescheduling: Patients can cancel or reschedule an appointment if they provide a minimum of 24 hours of advanced notice to their therapist. If patients cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than 24 hours of advanced notice, they will be charged a late-cancellation fee of $100.
No-Shows: If a patient fails to show up to an appointment, the session will be considered a no-show, and the patient will be charged a no-show fee of $100.
Fees may be waived is in the event of serious medical reason that legitimately makes it impossible for you to cancel or reschedule your appointment with 24 hours of advanced notice. Each case will be considered individually. In addition, first-responders such as firefighters, police officers, or other emergency personnel may be exempt from this policy if they are unable to make it to an appointment due to a legitimate employment-related emergency. Patients who only carry Medicaid insurance may also be exempt from this policy. Please discuss your individual circumstances with us.
Our late-cancellation and no-show policy is not intended to feel like a penalty or a punishment. We will never be upset with you if you miss or need to reschedule an appointment. We are committed to our non-judgmental stance and we completely understand that life is unpredictable at times. However, when this policy is implemented across our company as a whole, patients receive better treatment, better outcomes, and have better consistency for success. It also ensures fair processes for all patients (we strongly oppose favoritism and do not allow special treatment to some patients but not others). We are committed to consistent practices.
In addition, because we use telehealth, patients are less likely to miss appointments. With telehealth services, there is no need to miss an appointment due to a car breakdown, transportation barrier, inclement weather, mild sickness, or other reason that would be more likely if services were offered face-to-face. The nature of our telehealth services makes accessing your virtual appointments convenient. Even when your Internet goes out or your computer crashes, you can access your appointment with your therapist via a telephone.
If you frequently miss or reschedule multiple scheduled appointments without cancelling or rescheduling in accordance with our policy of 24 hours of advanced notice, your therapist has the right to refer you to another service that can accommodate a greater degree of flexibility.
Your success in therapy really matters to us.
