In most professional settings, the relationship between a psychologist and their client is governed by a therapy or counseling contract or agreement. This agreement usually outlines policies related to missed sessions, cancellations, and rescheduling.
If a psychologist cancels or reschedules a session on a client, the ethical and professional practice dictates that they should generally not charge the client for the missed session. It is the psychologist's responsibility to provide reasonable notice to the client if they need to cancel or reschedule a session. Additionally, many professional ethical guidelines and codes of conduct require psychologists to make efforts to minimize any potential disruptions to the client's treatment.
On the other hand, if a client misses a scheduled session without providing appropriate notice, the psychologist may have a policy in place that states the client will be charged for the missed session. This policy is often in place to encourage clients to attend sessions regularly and to respect the psychologist's time.
Ultimately, the specific policies regarding missed sessions, cancellations, and rescheduling can vary between different psychologists and therapeutic practices. It is essential for both the psychologist and the client to have a clear understanding of the terms and conditions of the therapy or counseling agreement from the outset to avoid misunderstandings or potential conflicts in the future.