Coaching Agreement – Terms and Conditions

Welcome!

I am very much looking forward to working with you as your Coach.  I have positive expectations for a coaching relationship that supports you to create the amazing life you want to live.  

To partner together professionally, please review my coaching agreement below and do not hesitate to ask any questions that you may have. It’s essential that you are familiar with the terms and conditions laid out herein, and to be comfortable with them.  

Private Coaching Agreement

Please read through entirely and complete any required fields.

Coach-Client Relationship

  1. Coach agrees to maintain the ethics and standards of behaviour established by the International Coach Federation “(ICF)” (Coachfederation.org/ethics). It is recommended that the Client review the ICF Code of Ethics and the applicable standards of behaviour. 

  2. Client is solely responsible for creating and implementing his/her own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship and his/her coaching calls and interactions with the Coach. 

    As such, the Client agrees that the Coach is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services provided by the Coach. 

    Client understands coaching is not therapy and does not substitute for therapy if needed, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease.

  3. Client further acknowledges that she may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time.

  4. Client acknowledges that coaching is a comprehensive process that may involve different areas of his or her life, including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. The Client agrees that deciding how to handle these issues, incorporate coaching principles into those areas, and implementing choices is exclusively the Client’s responsibility.

  5. Client acknowledges that coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) and that coaching is not to be used as a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or other professional advice by legal, medical or other qualified professionals, and that it is the Client’s exclusive responsibility to seek such independent professional guidance as needed. 

    If Client is currently under the care of a mental health professional, it is recommended that the Client promptly inform the mental health care provider of the nature and extent of the coaching relationship agreed upon by the Client and the Coach.

  6. The Client understands that in order to enhance the coaching relationship they will communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance, and to create the time and energy to participate fully.


Terms of coaching

Coaching is a “process”.  Many people start creating new awareness and initial change for themselves in a short time. 

However, to refine and sustain the change takes longer.  Usually, but not always, for lasting progress to be made, a commitment of 1-3 months will be required. 

Schedule and fees

This coaching agreement is valid as of 29 August 2023. 

The refund policy in effect for the term of this Agreement is as follows: The client may request a refund within 12 hours of the initial paid session begins, when a coaching package (monthly or longer) has been purchased. 

Coaching procedure

We will connect via Zoom online. You have the option to choose whether you use your video/audio or only audio.  You will be emailed a link for our sessions each time, which will be included in your email confirmation each time you schedule.  

Session time is sacred space to focus on YOU; please try to ensure that you are in a quiet space, free from distractions, and are not driving a motor vehicle (for your safety, I do not coach clients while driving).  

For the daily accountability (if relevant to your coaching option), you will nominate a time of day (morning/afternoon) that best suits you to check in. I will make every attempt to respond to your e-mail or MarcoPolo within a few hours, maximum 24 hours. These accountability check ins do not constitute an additional coaching session and are designed to provide a brief check in on progress and to provide suggestions if you are struggling. 

Confidentiality

The coaching relationship, as well as all information (documented or verbal) that the Client shares with the Coach as part of this relationship, is bound by the principles of confidentiality set forth in the ICF Code of Ethics. However, please be aware that the Coach-Client relationship is not considered a legally confidential relationship (like the medical and legal professions) and thus communications are not subject to the protection of any legally recognised privilege. 

The Coach agrees not to disclose any information pertaining to the Client without the Client’s written consent. Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) was in the Coach’s possession prior to its being furnished by the Client; (b) is generally known to the public or in the Client’s industry; (c) is obtained by the Coach from a third party, without breach of any obligation to the Client; (d) is independently developed by the Coach without use of or reference to the Client’s confidential information; or (e) the Coach is required by statute, lawfully issued subpoena, or by court order to disclose; (f) is disclosed to the Coach and as a result of such disclosure, the Coach reasonably believes there to be an imminent or likely risk of danger or harm to the Client or others; and (g) involves illegal activity. 

The Client also acknowledges his or her continuing obligation to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with the Coach in a timely manner.

Changes to Booked Sessions

Late for sessions

The session time that you book has been set aside specifically for us to focus on you.  If you are late to a session (up to 10 minutes), we will make the best of your remaining time.  If you are more than 10 minutes late, the session will be cancelled without a refund.  I am unable to extend your session time to accommodate your lateness, as I will have other client commitments already scheduled, which I must honour.          

Rescheduling sessions

You may reschedule a session on your own at any time - up to 24 hours before our scheduled time, using the email link sent to you in your original confirmation email or subsequent reminders. 

Less than 24 hours’ notice will require emailing or texting me, and I will do my best to accommodate your request.  In the case of emergency or acute illness, you can reschedule with less than 24 hours’ notice by calling or texting me. 

If I need to reschedule, I will honour at least 24 hours’ notice as well, barring an emergency or illness.

If our session has been booked via email rather than the website and payment has not been made at the time of booking, 48 hours’ notice is required to enable me to fill the time spot. 

Cancellation of sessions

You may cancel a session on your own up to 24 hours before our scheduled time, using the link sent to you in your original confirmation email.  

Cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice will be considered a used session and must be paid for, because my other clients were unable to schedule a session in the time slot you had booked. 

If you need to cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, please contact me by email or text, so I know you are unable to make the session.  

If our session has been booked via email rather than the website and payment has not been made at the time of booking, 48 hours’ notice is required to enable me to fill the time spot. 

Missed sessions

Sessions that you have scheduled and do not attend (and are missed) are non-refundable due to time slot being unavailable for other clients to book.   

If our session has been booked via email rather than the website and payment has not been made at the time of booking, you agree to be invoiced for the full session fee should less than 48 hours’ notice be given of a cancellation or rescheduling, and you did not attend the session. 

Sessions on hold (monthly coaching package only)

Should you need to put your coaching sessions on "hold" for personal or medical reasons, I am happy to accommodate you with written notice via email as to the term you wish to have your sessions on hold.  

I understand that sometimes circumstances beyond our control happen. I will do my very best to accommodate your needs.  You may resume your coaching sessions when you are ready to do so.

Termination of agreement

It’s important to me to only to coach clients that "want" to be coached and are active participants in the coaching process, so should you wish to end our coaching relationship I would appreciate 2 weeks written notice via email and the opportunity to do a completion session with you.  

Any pre-paid, unused sessions that exist after the completion session would be fully refunded to you.

Problems

My objective is to have a coaching relationship that is fully open, honest, real, and trusting.  

We will create this relationship together, so knowing what is or isn’t working for you is important to me. If I ever say or do anything that upsets you or doesn't feel right to you, please bring it to my attention so that we can resolve it as soon as possible. 

Please feel free to email me or text me if you feel more comfortable with this method. I may make mistakes sometimes too and I’d appreciate the opportunity to learn when I do. 

Let’s promptly ask each other for clarification if there is a misconnection, misunderstanding or miscommunication.

Recording of calls

I do not record our calls together but instead I will follow-up with the notes that I capture during our sessions around action steps to take (if you’ve opted for a monthly coaching package). 

Our Coaching Agreement

Coach

I agree to serve as your Coach - as the ICF defines - to partner with you in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires you to maximise your personal and professional potential - and as I define - to identify and achieve your personal and/or professional vision and goals.

As your Coach, I cannot guarantee results. YOU will create powerful results by having the courage and determination to forward the actions you decide to take in your life.  During the time we spend together in our coaching sessions, I will devote my time, thoughts, and energy to you, exclusively.

I am a Coach and while I hold qualifications in counselling and psychology as well, I am not a clinical psychologist and therefore not qualified to diagnose psychological or medical conditions. If any issues come up for you that should be better handled by a mental health practitioner, GP or other medical professional, I may suggest that you attend to your health by contacting the appropriate professional.  

If I suggest you connect with a professional in these areas, it is because I want nothing but the very best for you and want to ensure you are supported in all areas of your life.  

I have a wonderful network of professionals who I would be happy to refer you to as well.  Therapy, good medical care, and coaching can work very well together.

As your Coach, I will bring attentive listening, understanding, belief in you, psychoeducation, and my full commitment to your success.  

You can expect me to challenge you at times, offer fresh perspectives, make requests, acknowledge your wins, and guarantee utmost confidentiality (as stipulated in this agreement).

Client – your commitment to the coaching process

  • I am motivated and committed to acting on my determined personal and professional goals.  

  • I acknowledge that anything less than my intentional full participation will not lead to my success.

  • I accept full responsibility for myself, and any actions I take that might result from coaching.  

  • I am under the general care of a physician/GP and considered healthy to engage in coaching. 

  • I can financially afford the coaching fee at this time. 

  • I agree to honour my scheduled session times (as well as the cancellation, rescheduling and missed session clauses listed herein if I don’t).


    Please get in touch if you have any questions about any of the above. You can email me here.