​Virtual or In-Person Cancellations Policies

The policy below refers to how we handle cancellations.

If circumstances require you to cancel a virtual or in-person appointment

 

• Cancellations must be made at least 14 days (2 weeks) in advance of your scheduled appointment.

• If a cancellation is made less than 14 days prior to the appointment, you will be charged the full session fee.

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Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Again, no refund will be issued if service is not canceled within 14 days of scheduled appointment. 

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The client will not be refunded if the client arrives more than 15 min late to the scheduled appointment or does not show up for the scheduled appointment.

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In the event that the Couples Counseling Center cancels the appointment due to unforeseen circumstances, your appointment will be rescheduled for another time agreeable to all parties.

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Please Note: Unless otherwise stated, virtual or in-person counseling sessions run for 55 minutes. Please allow up to 15 minutes for virtual or in-person sessions to begin. You will still receive your full 55 minutes as scheduled, even if sessions begin up to 15 min later than scheduled.

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Payment Policy

Full payment is required upon scheduling an appointment. As a form of payment we accept all credit cards, After Pay, Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flex Spending Account (FSA). While we do not accept insurance we can issue a clinical receipt after the session for potential reimbursement from your insurance carrier.

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​Refund Policy

Shawn McBride, MA, LCPC

The Couples Counseling & Coaching Center, LLC

Shawn McBride Therapy, LLC

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Purpose of This Policy

This Refund Policy exists to provide clarity, protect the integrity of the therapeutic and coaching process, and ensure responsible use of reserved clinical and program resources. All clients are required to review and acknowledge this policy prior to enrollment in any service, program, or package.

 

Scope of This Policy

This Refund Policy applies to all services, including but not limited to:

 

• Individual counseling sessions

• Couples counseling

• Premarital counseling

• Coaching services

• Pastoral counseling services

• Assessments

• Intensives

• Multi-session packages

• Multi-month and 6-month programs

• Group programs, classes, and workshops

• Services provided by Shawn McBride, MA, LCPC or any team member

 

This policy applies to in-person and virtual services, in-state and out-of-state, and individual or group formats.

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General Refund Policy – No Refunds

All counseling, therapy, coaching, pastoral counseling services, packages, programs, intensives, and assessments are non-refundable.

 

Once payment is submitted and services are scheduled or a program is initiated, clients are financially responsible for the full fee associated with the service or program.

 

No refunds or partial refunds will be issued under any circumstances, except where required by law.

 

Programs, Packages, & Multi-Month Services

Programs and packages—including multi-session and 6-month programs—are time-based professional commitments, not pay-per-session arrangements.

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By enrolling, clients understand and agree that:

 

• Program fees are earned upon enrollment

• Clinical and program capacity is reserved in advance

• Treatment planning, scheduling priority, and administrative resources are allocated at enrollment

• Missed, unused, or forfeited sessions do not result in refunds or credits

• Early termination by the client does not relieve financial responsibility

 

Clients who choose not to complete a program remain responsible for the full program fee.

 

Individual Sessions

Individual sessions are non-refundable once scheduled.

 

Failure to attend a scheduled session, late arrival, or cancellation outside of the required notice period does not result in a refund or credit.

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Assessments & Professional Review Services

All assessments, evaluations, scoring, reports, and professional reviews are non-refundable.

 

These services require dedicated professional time, analysis, preparation, and clinical judgment. Once initiated, the time and expertise invested cannot be recovered or reassigned.

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Dissatisfaction, Discomfort, or Outcomes

Refunds will not be issued due to:

 

• Emotional discomfort or distress related to the therapeutic or coaching process

• Dissatisfaction with pace, structure, or approach

• Relationship outcomes or decisions made during services

• Changes in motivation, readiness, or commitment

• External life circumstances or scheduling challenges

 

Therapy and coaching involve effort, accountability, and emotional engagement. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

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Client-Initiated Termination

Clients may discontinue services at any time. However, discontinuation does not alter financial responsibility for services rendered or for time, clinical capacity, and resources reserved under a program or package agreement.

 

No refunds are issued for client-initiated termination.

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Therapist-Initiated Termination

If services are terminated by the therapist due to clinical, ethical, or safety concerns, reasonable efforts will be made to provide referrals or transition support.

 

In such cases, unused sessions may be credited at the sole discretion of the practice; however, refunds are not guaranteed and are not standard practice.

 

Transferability of Services

Unused sessions, packages, or program components are non-transferable unless explicitly approved in writing by the practice. Approval is rare and granted solely at the discretion of the practice.

 

Chargebacks & Payment Disputes

Clients agree not to initiate chargebacks or payment disputes for services rendered or programs enrolled in.

 

Initiating a chargeback may result in:

 

• Immediate termination of services

• Documentation submitted to the payment processor

• Referral to collections for unpaid balances

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Acknowledgment & Acceptance

By scheduling an appointment, enrolling in a program, or submitting payment, clients acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to this Refund Policy in full.

 

This policy is enforced uniformly to ensure fairness, clarity, and sustainability of services.

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Practice Location

3060 Mitchellville Rd, Suite 106

Bowie, MD 20716

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Comprehensive Couples Assessment – Non-Refundable

 

The Comprehensive Couples Assessment ($330) is non-refundable. If services are canceled, the $330 cost of the assessment will be deducted from any refund due.

 

This assessment requires a minimum of 24 hours of professional time to evaluate, score, and prepare. It involves extensive review, analysis, and focus from the therapist in order to deliver accurate and meaningful results. Because the assessment process is already completed once it has been initiated, the time and expertise invested cannot be recovered or repurposed, which is why it is non-refundable.

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Clinical Documentation & Follow-Up Work

Time spent outside of sessions on clinically necessary tasks — such as reviewing records, preparing summaries, writing reports, responding to clinical emails, or completing treatment documentation — may be billed at the same hourly rate as therapy sessions. These activities require professional expertise, time, and clinical judgment, and are considered part of the therapeutic service provided. This ensures accurate, ethical, and high-quality care for every client.