Episode Details

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/pmquiz
• Free Resources: https://brooklynstorme.com/resources
• Practice Momentum™ Info: https://brooklynstorme.com/practice-momentum%E2%84%A2
• Connect 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 w