It’s a common scenario that comes up when paying for session fees. The default method is to use cash payments. It’s straightforward, no need to bring a debit card etc. While this may sound convenient, there’s been various occasions where clients forget to bring cash, don’t have the right change etc. On the other hand, card payments are in a way, easier, as you don’t need to worry about carrying cash (who even worries about it these days?) It’s becoming more common for therapists to carry card machines which offer contactless payment options so all you essentially need to do is swipe your card over the machine and in a few seconds, your payment is complete, with a digital receipt to go with it.
When I was undergoing therapy, I hated carrying cash. Every time my appointment was due, I had to hurry towards a cash machine to withdraw money, even the cash machine would disappoint me by not giving me the required amount, making sure if I was short one session, I would make up for the cash next session. I used to think therapists were so behind the times (in a way they are). So, when I started my own private practice, I used various payment methods, but I soon found, offering too many options and methods were frustrating for me to keep up with. So now I stick to cash (as a last resort), card machine or bank account transfer. Since the pandemic, the card machine hasn’t been touched. It sits there gathering dust.
So what this means (and I gently urge), let’s transition to card/contactless payments, making payments one less hassle in the therapy process. I’ve read more people using card machines but where I am located, it seems it will take a while before the trend catches on. In all aspects of business, efficiency is key. The more effective your business becomes, the better it can cater towards its target customers/ leading to high quality customer service. As time goes on, there will be exciting trends in the psychotherapeutic field in order to effectively assess, formulate and treat clients. The more accurately we can do our job, the faster and better we can help clients. Until next time.
