Late Notice Policy: Understanding the Value of Your Time and Therapist’s Commitment

13/05/2024 | Kellie Cassidy

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At Prosper Health Collective, our mission revolves around your well-being, ensuring you have the support you need to flourish and thrive. As part of our commitment to your care, we want to talk about our late notice policy and why it matters.

We get it—nobody likes unexpected fees. But let’s take a moment to explore why this policy exists and how it benefits both you and us.

Picture this: You’ve set aside time for a therapy session, mentally gearing up for the appointment ahead. Then life throws a curveball—maybe a sudden work meeting, a family emergency, or feeling under the weather. It happens. But it’s important to recognise the ripple effects of last-minute changes.

What are those ripples? 

For You:

1. **Slower Progress**: Consistency is key in therapy. Missed sessions disrupt the momentum toward your goals, potentially lengthening the time needed to achieve them.
2. **Increased Costs**: Delayed progress may require more sessions in the long run, impacting your wallet.

For Us:

1. **Respect for Time**: Your therapist dedicates time exclusively to you. Last-minute non-attendance means missed opportunities to support others in need.
2. **Fairness to Others**: Every appointment slot is valuable, with others on the waitlist hoping for timely care.
3. **Practice Sustainability**: Operating a psychology practice involves fixed costs, whether or not clients attend appointments. These include but are certainly not limited to: 

• Overhead Costs
  • rent
  • electricity
  • maintenance
  • cleaning
  •  insurance
• Administrative Expenses  
  • wages
  • stationary 
  • printing
• Support services
  • accountant
  • bookkeeper
  • HR consultant
  • lawyer 
• Professional Development, ongoing training and resources
• Technology and Equipment
• Professional Liability Insurance 
• Marketing, website maintenance and referrer engagement 
• Therapist’s Time and Expertise

What about an alternative to missing your appointment?

If you can’t make it to your appointment, we offer alternatives to keep you on track, such as telehealth appointments or homework packs to work on between sessions.

We offer a range of substitute services when face-to-face therapy can not occur. These substitutions include: 

• Telehealth appointments 
• Parent-Only Telehealth (for child clients)
• Report writing 
• Liaison with another health professional in your treatment team
• A Homework Pack created to work on between sessions
• Resource development (e.g. strategies for classroom/childcare)

We know these may not be right for everyone. But in most cases they are. And the best thing is you can keep working towards the outcomes you are looking for. 

We understand emergencies arise, which is why our policy is fair and flexible. We kindly ask for 48 business hours’ notice whenever possible, with exceptions for genuine emergencies.The more time we have, the more likely we are to be able to re-allocate your time slot to provide support to another client who requires support.

Ultimately, our goal remains unwavering: to support you on your journey toward health and personal growth. Your well-being is our priority, guiding every decision we make, including late notice fees.

So, next time you’re in a bind, remember we’re here for you, ready to listen, support, and guide you. Let’s continue this journey together, with respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to growth.

Thank you for trusting us with your healthcare needs. We’re excited to continue supporting you to flourish and thrive.