Creating Ethical Therapy Packages - Managing DNAs & Creating your Contract

💛 Resource : Sample Policy Wording for Contract Templates

Take your first step toward a fully booked, self-funding practice and consistent £5K months

Your Resource Below, paid members will find a ready-to-use Package Policy Template to help you create clear, ethical, and professional therapy packages.

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Below, you'll find ready-to-use policy templates to help you create clear, ethical, and professional therapy packages. Perfect for private practice therapists who want to protect their practice, manage cancellations easily, and build trust with clients. This should be used alongside your GDPR Contract

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As we have discussed over this last month, offering therapy packages in private practice can be a brilliant way to provide structure, support, and predictability for both you and your clients.

But, like all aspects of private practice, it's essential to approach packages ethically and thoughtfully. Creating packages that are ethical, flexible, and professionally sound is key — especially when it comes to handling cancellations (DNAs) and drafting your contracts.

Here's how to make sure your therapy packages are safe for clients and supportive for your business.

Ethical & Clinical Suitability

Therapy is not a “one size fits all” service. Your package structure should still allow clinical flexibility and responsiveness to client needs. Always ensure your offer aligns with your therapeutic approach, ethical guidelines, and professional standards. You might want to allow space in each package for tailoring therapy for the individual client.

I often hear from clients who have had therapy in larger organisations that they felt like they were being taken through a standard protocol, which didn’t fit them well. In private practice, tailoring a person’s treatment and therapy is of paramount importance — and often one of the very reasons we came into private practice in the first place.

Informed Consent & Clear Communication

As with any therapy people have, they need upfront, detailed information about what’s included (and what’s not). Your written contract should cover:

• How many sessions are included

• The expiry period for use

• Rescheduling and cancellation policies

• Whether pauses are possible if needed

Transparency builds trust and ensures informed consent from day one.

Take your first step toward a fully booked, self-funding practice and consistent £5K months.

Managing DNAs and Cancellations

Packages need to have a clear cancellation framework:

• Make it clear that missed sessions without proper notice (e.g., 48 hours) will be deducted from the package.

• Reinforce your boundaries and expectations upfront.

• Reduce admin work and awkward conversations later.

Are there any exceptions you might consider? For example, I worked with a lady who was having a lot of cancer treatment, and I offered more flexibility given those circumstances. I also find that new parents benefit from early discussions about greater flexibility during the initial stages of treatment.

Tip: Include a short written agreement at the point of purchase reminding clients of your cancellation terms. Give the information multiple times, so there are several opportunities for clients to read and understand it, alongside discussing the terms. It protects both the client relationship and your practice. Have a read of this previous post to learn more about how I manage DNAs and Late cancellations to minimise the financial impact on my practice.

Late Cancellations and No-Shows

Client Autonomy & Regular Review

While packages offer structure, clients should never feel trapped. Build in regular review points to check:

• If the work still feels relevant

• If the package model still suits their needs

• What will happen if the therapeutic relationship isn’t a good match

• What if the client's presenting problems are out of your scope of practice

Always preserve client autonomy and choice.

Scope of Practice and Ethical Marketing

Stay within your clinical scope. Avoid overpromising results (“transformation” language) that therapy can't guarantee. Instead, use phrases like:

• “Supportive structure”

• “Clarity and focus around your goals”

• “Structured therapeutic support”

Highlight the collaborative element of therapy — therapy is something we build together, not something delivered to a passive client.

Financial Policies and Clarity

Spell out all terms clearly:

• Refund policies (full, partial, or none)

• Rescheduling and cancellation procedures

• Payment plans, if available (they are becoming more popular — PayPal, iZettle, and Stripe offer different options)

• Time limits for using sessions (e.g., within 6 months)

Consistency protects you and your clients, preventing confusion and disappointment.

Time & Energy Boundaries

Extras like email support can add value, but they need clear limits:

• Be explicit (e.g., “one email reply per week within 48 hours”)

• Avoid open-ended offers that could lead to burnout.

Healthy boundaries help you sustain a thriving, ethical practice long-term.

This resource below is for paid members - Take your first step toward a fully booked, self-funding practice and consistent £5K months

And Access your Sample Policy Template for Creating Package Contracts

When you become a paid member, you join a network of therapists who are building sustainable, values-led private practices — with the shared goal of being fully booked with self-funding clients and achieving consistent £5K months.

Paid membership gives you access to resources like this Therapy Agreement Template, plus ongoing support, guidance, and a community that understands the journey you're on.

Take your next step toward a thriving, self-sustaining practice.