Accountability in therapy is a crucial element for ensuring successful outcomes and fostering long-term emotional growth. By holding patients accountable to their scheduled appointments and treatment plans, therapists can help maintain consistency in the therapeutic process, build trust, and ensure that progress is made toward personal goals. When patients actively engage in their treatment and follow through on commitments, they are more likely to experience meaningful change and develop the skills needed to manage their mental health. This shared responsibility strengthens the therapeutic alliance and maximizes the effectiveness of treatment. Here are a few ways to encourage accountability and reduce cancellation rates amongst your clients:
Set Clear Expectations From the Start:
During the initial session, emphasize the importance of consistency in therapy and how regular attendance contributes to achieving their goals.
Explain the cancellation policy, including consequences for repeated no-shows or late cancellations.
Confirm the next appointment at the end of each session and ensure that their recurring day and time still works for them:
Make sure they affirmatively confirm their next appointment day and time at the end of each session and have the opportunity to discuss any potential conflicts / rescheduling needs.
Focus on Treatment Engagement:
Make sure sessions feel productive by collaboratively setting goals and giving clients actionable takeaways. When patients see progress, they’re more motivated to show up.
Build Accountability and Rapport:
Work on creating a strong therapeutic relationship so patients feel valued and understood. At the same time, emphasize their accountability for their progress, which helps them respect the commitment they’ve made. Connection is also outside the sessions. Feel free to encourage clients to text you outside of their sessions during the week if they found a podcast they like, or even a funny meme they found on social media they think you would find funny that is therapeutic. Send them articles outside their sessions letting them know you still think about them. It’s all about maintaining that connection outside the sessions even as simple as a text goes a really long way.
Send Appointment Reminders / Follow ups:
Text clients personally to remind them of their appointments if they are new, and do consider doing check in during the week in a text if the prior session was a particularly difficult one.
Follow up if they cancel:
Immediately follow up with a nudge text asking about the reason for cancellation and showing that you care. “Hi Steph, I saw you canceled your session today, I am just following up if you are doing ok and if you need another day this week or want to continue next week” this allows you to connect with the client again showing you care about them and giving them options they may not know they had. A lot of times it’s just a doctor’s appointment they had, and they come for their next session, but this also trains them to reach out to you before they cancel. It’s sort of a “parent” strategy to use activating the part of their child selves to know another person cares, they respond and they want to continue to feel that validation.
If you see a pattern of cancellations evolving, question their investment in / commitment to therapy. Ensure they understand that if they make a habit of canceling you will need to give away their “prime scheduled spot” and can only schedule them if there are cancellations (they have to be a fill-in)
Address Barriers to Attendance:
Talk with patients about potential obstacles like scheduling conflicts, or financial concerns and help them problem-solve.
