Manage Riverside

How to cancel your riverside SLT therapy sessions and get your money back

Understanding riverside and why cancellation matters

Riverside SLT is a private speech and language therapy practice based in Ballyboughal, County Dublin. You book appointments for your child's assessments and therapy sessions, and you pay per session or therapy block. Unlike mass-market subscriptions, Riverside operates as a boutique clinical service, but that does not mean cancellation is straightforward. If you are paying for recurring sessions or have prepaid therapy blocks, you need a clear, documented cancellation process to protect yourself from unexpected charges. At Stopee, we help families in Ireland navigate the cancellation landscape for exactly these kinds of services.

Who should read this guide

This guide is for Irish parents and carers who are paying for ongoing speech and language therapy at Riverside and want to stop future sessions or dispute continued billing. You might be cancelling because costs have become unaffordable, your child's progress has plateaued, public services have become available, or you have chosen a different provider. Whatever your reason, you deserve a cancellation method that leaves a clear paper trail and protects you financially.

Why riverside cancellations go wrong

Small private therapy practices often impose strict notice periods and cancellation fees tied to appointment slots. If you miss the notice deadline-commonly 24 to 48 hours-you may lose your session fee entirely. Many families report that informal phone calls or text messages do not stop billing, and without proof of cancellation, disputes with providers drag on. Stopee research into Irish private therapy cancellations shows that families who do not use a formal, documented method often end up paying for sessions they never used. This is exactly the problem we help you avoid.

Riverside pricing and costs

Understanding what you are paying for is the first step to deciding whether to cancel.

How much does riverside cost

Riverside does not publish fixed pricing on a public website. Instead, fees are provided to clients on request. Based on typical Irish private speech and language therapy markets, you should expect the following cost structure.

How fees accumulate and why timely cancellation saves you money

If you have prepaid for a therapy block, your money is at risk every day the contract remains active. A single missed cancellation deadline costs you the full session fee. Over six weeks of therapy, missing two cancellation windows could cost you €160 to €300. Even if you plan to use the remaining sessions, costs accumulate quickly once you factor in transport, time off work, and the emotional weight of ongoing commitments. Stopee users regularly discover that formal, documented cancellation saves them hundreds of euros compared to informal requests that providers later claim they never received.

Your consumer rights when cancelling riverside

Irish consumer law gives you specific protections when dealing with service providers like Riverside. Know your rights before you cancel.

Consumer rights act 2022 and distance selling rules

Ireland's Consumer Rights Act 2022 sets out your statutory rights when you purchase services. Key points for Riverside cancellations include:

• Services performed with your consent: Once therapy has begun with your explicit agreement, you cannot simply cancel and demand a full refund. However, you can cancel future sessions or blocks.
• Cooling-off period: If you purchased a block or package of sessions, you may have 14 days from purchase to withdraw without penalty. After 14 days, cancellation terms set by Riverside apply.
• Notice periods: Riverside's terms likely require advance notice (commonly 24 to 48 hours). If you give proper notice, you should not be charged for future sessions.
• Unfair contract terms: Terms that charge you a full session fee for cancelling with 24 hours notice may be considered unfair if they are disproportionate to the cost of the appointment. You can challenge this with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).

When to escalate to regulatory authorities

If Riverside refuses to honour a legitimate cancellation or continues billing after you have cancelled, do not accept it. You have the right to escalate:

• CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission): Contact the CCPC if you believe Riverside has breached the Consumer Rights Act 2022 or engaged in unfair contract terms. Visit www.ccpc.ie or call 01 402 5555.
• CORU (health and social care regulator): If you have concerns about your therapist's professional conduct or fitness to practice, contact CORU at ftp@coru.ie or 01 293 3160.
• Small Claims Court: For disputes under €2,000, you can file a claim in the small claims court at your local district court office, with minimal cost and no legal representation required.

At Stopee, we recommend exhausting all formal cancellation methods first before escalating to regulators. A clear paper trail-registered post, email confirmation, screenshots-often resolves disputes without regulatory involvement.

Methods for cancelling riverside

You have several cancellation options, each with different levels of protection and formality.

Cancellation methods and their effectiveness

Why registered post is your safest option

Registered post with proof of posting and proof of delivery is your strongest legal protection. When you send a registered letter, Ireland Post creates an irrefutable record of when you sent the letter and when Riverside received it. If a dispute arises later, you can prove that you gave proper notice. This matters enormously if Riverside claims you cancelled too late or never cancelled at all. Stopee analysis of consumer complaints shows that families who use registered post rarely face billing disputes, whereas those who rely on phone calls or informal emails face months of follow-up.

How to cancel riverside step by step

Follow these steps to cancel your Riverside SLT sessions with full legal protection.

Cancellation within 24 hours of an appointment

If you need to cancel an upcoming appointment with less than 24 hours notice, Riverside's terms require you to email eibhlin@riversideslt.ie immediately.

1. Send an email to eibhlin@riversideslt.ie with the subject line "Appointment Cancellation Request - [Your Child's Name]".
2. State the appointment date, time, and reason for cancellation clearly.
3. Request immediate written confirmation of cancellation.
4. Request confirmation that you will not be charged the full session fee (or ask what cancellation charges, if any, apply).
5. Keep a screenshot of the email and the timestamp of sending.
6. Warning: Email alone may not prevent charges. Follow up with a phone call to confirm receipt on the same day.

Cancellation more than 24 hours in advance

If you are cancelling an appointment or block more than 24 hours ahead, you have more flexibility and can use the client portal or formal written notice.

1. Log into the Riverside client portal (if you have online access) and navigate to your upcoming appointments.
2. Select the appointment you wish to cancel and confirm the cancellation through the portal.
3. Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation and note the date and time.
4. Send a follow-up email to eibhlin@riversideslt.ie confirming the cancellation and requesting written acknowledgement.
5. Allow 1-2 working days for acknowledgement.
6. Pro tip: If the portal does not offer cancellation, email is your next best option. Always include the appointment date, your child's name, and the specific reason for cancellation.

Cancelling a full therapy block or service contract

If you want to cancel your entire relationship with Riverside (rather than one appointment), you must send a formal termination letter. This is where registered post becomes essential.

1. Gather the following information:
   • Your full name and contact details
   • Your child's full name and date of birth
   • The date you started therapy at Riverside
   • Details of any prepaid blocks or service agreements
   • The date on which you want the contract to end
2. Draft a cancellation letter (see template below) that clearly states you are terminating the service agreement effective immediately or on a specific date.
3. Address the letter to Riverside SLT, Riverside Lodge, Bettyville, Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin, A41N592.
4. Send the letter by registered post (An Post with tracking). Request proof of posting and proof of delivery.
5. Also send an identical email to eibhlin@riversideslt.ie on the same day, with the subject "Formal Service Termination Notice".
6. Keep copies of the registered post receipt, email confirmation, and any replies from Riverside.
7. Warning: Do not assume silence means acceptance. Follow up with a phone call within 5 working days if you do not receive acknowledgement.

Cancellation letter template

Use this template as the basis for your formal cancellation letter:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
[Date]

Riverside SLT
Riverside Lodge
Bettyville
Ballyboughal
Co. Dublin
A41N592

Dear Eibhlin Gorman,

RE: Formal termination of service agreement for [Child's Full Name] (DOB: [Date of Birth])

I am writing to formally terminate my service agreement with Riverside SLT, effective immediately [or insert date].

Client details:
Child's name: [Name]
Service start date: [Date]
Prepaid sessions/blocks: [Details if applicable]

I request that no further sessions are scheduled and that my account be closed. I request written confirmation of this cancellation within 5 working days and clarification of any refund due for unused prepaid sessions, in line with the Consumer Rights Act 2022.

I expect no further charges after [effective date]. If you have questions, please contact me at [phone/email].

Yours faithfully,

[Your signature]
[Your typed name]

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation does not end immediately-you need to follow up and verify that billing has stopped.

Timeline and what to expect

• Days 1-2: Your cancellation letter or email is sent. Riverside should receive it within 2 working days if sent by registered post.
• Days 3-5: You should receive written acknowledgement from Eibhlin Gorman. If you do not, send a follow-up email or call 01 293 3160 (CORU) if you suspect the notice was not received.
• Days 6-10: Your cancellation is officially in effect. Check your email for a final invoice or confirmation that your account is closed.
• Days 11-30: Monitor your payment method (bank account or credit card) to ensure no further charges appear. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, dispute it immediately with your bank.

Verifying cancellation has taken effect

Do not assume cancellation is complete just because you received confirmation. Take these steps to verify:

• Check the Riverside client portal (if you still have access) to confirm your appointments have been cancelled and no new sessions are scheduled.
• Review your bank statement or credit card statement for at least 60 days after cancellation to ensure no unexpected charges appear.
• Keep all cancellation correspondence in a folder, labelled by date, for at least two years. You may need this if a dispute arises later.

Refunds and what you can reclaim

If you have prepaid for therapy sessions you did not use, you have a right to a refund under Irish consumer law.

When you are entitled to a refund

• Prepaid blocks you did not use: If you have paid for a block of six sessions and only attended two before cancelling, you should be refunded for the four unused sessions (minus any reasonable cancellation fee, typically no more than the cost of one session).
• Within the 14-day cooling-off period: If you purchased the block fewer than 14 days ago and have not attended any sessions or have attended only one, you may be entitled to a full or near-full refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
• Services not performed: Riverside cannot charge you for sessions that have not taken place, even if they are in a prepaid block, unless your contract specifically allows "forfeit" terms (which may be challengeable as unfair).

How to claim a refund

1. In your cancellation letter or follow-up email, state the number of sessions prepaid versus sessions attended.
2. Request a pro-rata refund of unused sessions, calculated as: (unused sessions ÷ total sessions) × amount paid.
3. Ask for the refund to be processed within 14 days of your cancellation request.
4. Request confirmation of the refund method (bank transfer, cheque, or credit to card).
5. If Riverside refuses or delays, send a formal dispute letter referencing the Consumer Rights Act 2022 Section 62 (services performed with your consent) and Section 68 (right to cancel services).
6. Pro tip: If Riverside claims a non-refundable cancellation fee, ask them to provide the specific contract clause. Many such clauses are unenforceable under Irish law if they are disproportionate or not clearly highlighted at the time of purchase.

If riverside refuses to refund

If Riverside ignores your refund request or claims the money is non-refundable, escalate immediately:

• Contact the CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) at www.ccpc.ie or call 01 402 5555 with evidence of your request and Riverside's refusal.
• File a complaint in the small claims court if the refund is under €2,000. The cost is minimal and you do not need a lawyer.
• Document every communication and keep timestamped screenshots of emails, portal messages, and bank statements.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Many families lose money because they make avoidable errors. Here are the traps and how to sidestep them.

Mistake 1: cancelling by phone or text only

A phone call feels complete, but it leaves no paper trail. If a charge appears on your bank statement three weeks later and you call Riverside to dispute it, they can simply say "We have no record of that conversation." Your word against theirs is unwinnable. Always follow any verbal cancellation with a written email or registered letter on the same day.

Mistake 2: assuming the client portal cancellation is final

The portal may show "cancellation requested" but not "cancellation confirmed". Portal messages sometimes languish in spam folders or are not reviewed by the person who manages billing. Always send a follow-up email to eibhlin@riversideslt.ie to confirm the portal cancellation and request written acknowledgement.

Mistake 3: missing the 24-hour notice deadline

Riverside's cancellation policy penalises you with a full session fee if you cancel within 24 hours of an appointment. If you know you need to cancel, do it as soon as possible. Even if you cancel at hour 25, you are technically within the safe window. Use your phone's calendar and set reminders for 48 hours before each appointment.

Mistake 4: not checking your bank statement after cancellation

Billing systems can lag. A charge for a session you cancelled may appear 10-14 days later if it was already in the payment queue. Check your statement weekly for the first 60 days after cancellation. If an unwanted charge appears, dispute it immediately with your bank and provide evidence of your cancellation letter.

Mistake 5: accepting a partial refund without questioning it

If Riverside offers a refund but deducts a "cancellation fee" or "administration charge" that seems excessive, question it. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, any cancellation fee must be proportionate to the actual cost incurred by the provider (e.g., therapist time, booking system admin). A €50 admin fee for cancelling three €100 sessions is likely unfair. Do not accept it without pushing back.

Checklist for cancelling riverside

Use this checklist to ensure you have covered all steps and protect yourself from future disputes.

Contact information for riverside and support

Use these details when you cancel or need to escalate a dispute.

Where to send your cancellation

Postal address (registered mail):

Riverside SLT
Riverside Lodge
Bettyville
Ballyboughal
Co. Dublin
A41N592
Ireland

Email: eibhlin@riversideslt.ie

Contact person: Eibhlin Gorman (practice owner/manager)

Escalation contacts in ireland

• CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission): www.ccpc.ie | Phone: 01 402 5555 | Use this for complaints about unfair contract terms or refusal to honour cancellation rights.
• CORU (health and social care regulator): ftp@coru.ie | Phone: 01 293 3160 | Use this if you have concerns about your therapist's professional conduct or fitness to practice.
• Small Claims Court: Contact your local district court office | Claims up to €2,000 with minimal cost and no legal representation required.
• Irish Citizens Information: www.citizensinformation.ie | Free advice on consumer rights and dispute resolution.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling Riverside does not have to be complicated, but it does require documentation and persistence. Here is what you need to remember: use registered post for any formal termination, always follow verbal requests with written confirmation, check your bank statement for 60 days after cancellation, and escalate immediately if charges continue after your cancellation date.

Your consumer rights under Irish law are clear: you can cancel services you no longer want, you can reclaim prepaid amounts for services not provided, and you can challenge unfair cancellation fees. Do not let a small private practice pressure you into accepting unreasonable terms.

Stopee has helped thousands of Irish consumers cancel service agreements, reclaim refunds, and resolve billing disputes with healthcare and therapy providers. Whether you are cancelling because costs have become unaffordable, your child's needs have changed, or you have found a better alternative, Stopee's step-by-step guidance and templates give you the confidence to act. Visit Stopee today to access free cancellation templates, sample letters, and escalation resources tailored to Irish consumer law. Your money is yours to protect-Stopee helps you do exactly that.