The Cancellation Policy You Don't Use (And Why You're Leaving $20K on the Table) cover art

The Cancellation Policy You Don't Use (And Why You're Leaving $20K on the Table)

The Cancellation Policy You Don't Use (And Why You're Leaving $20K on the Table)

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 Most therapists have a cancellation policy they never enforce. Dr Brooklyn Storme, an evidence-based private practice business coach for counsellors, psychologists and social workers, breaks down the real cost of weak boundaries and why guilt stops you from protecting your income. Learn how cancellation policies actually strengthen therapeutic relationships, the data on revenue loss, and what changes when you shift from therapist-only to therapist-AND-business-owner identity. Real case studies from Australian private practices. Resources mentioned: Free Private Practice Assessment: https://brooklyn.myflodesk.com/pmquizFree Resources: https://brooklynstorme.com/resourcesPractice Momentum™ Info: https://brooklynstorme.com/practice-momentum%E2%84%A2Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brooklynstormephd FAQ 1: "What if my client genuinely had an emergency? Isn't it heartless to charge them?" This is where you're confusing compassion with boundary collapse. You can be compassionate AND use the policy. It's not your job to assess the validity of their reason. That's the point of having a policy in writing that they signed. The policy applies regardless of the reason. You can say: 'I understand that was difficult. The cancellation fee still applies as per our agreement.' You're acknowledging their experience AND holding the boundary. Both/and. Not either/or. If you start making exceptions, you're the one deciding whose emergency is 'real enough,' and that IS judgement. FAQ 2: "Won't clients just leave and find a therapist who doesn't enforce cancellation fees?" Some might. The data shows 1-2% leave when you start enforcing. But here's what you're not considering: do you want clients who only stay because you don't have boundaries? Those clients don't respect the therapeutic container. They're perhaps less likely to be invested in the work or the outcomes and they're costing you money. Boundaries help you work with clients who value your time, the structure, and who are committed to the work. You upgrade your client base. Plus, the 95% who stay are now showing up more reliably, which means your income becomes predictable instead of chaotic. FAQ 3: "I work with low-income clients who genuinely can't afford a cancellation fee. What then?" If you're choosing to work with low-income clients, that's a business decision, not a therapeutic one. You need to build that into your business model. Don't make up different rules for each person based on your assessment of their finances that's inconsistent and creates resentment. FAQ 4: "What's a reasonable cancellation policy timeframe? 24 hours? 48 hours? A week?" Industry standard in Australia is 24-48 hours. I recommend 48 hours because it gives clients enough notice to manage their schedules and gives you enough notice to potentially fill the gap. But here's what matters more than the timeframe is consistency. If you say 48 hours and then accept 12-hour cancellations without charging, your policy is meaningless. Pick a timeframe that feels manageable for you to enforce, put it in writing, and hold it every single time. I've seen therapists with 24-hour policies who enforce consistently get better results than therapists with week-long policies they never apply. Need more help? Contact me using the links above. cancellation policy therapist, private practice boundaries, therapy practice revenue loss, counsellor cancellation fees, therapist business boundaries, private practice income protection, therapy practice policies, mental health practice management, Australian therapist coaching, enforcing cancellation policy therapist boundary coaching | private practice policy enforcement | cancellation fee guidance | therapy business revenue protection | counsellor income strategies | practice management coaching Australia | evidence-based boundary setting | therapist business owner identity
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