Ethics and Privacy Policy
Living Willow Coaching Formal Coaching Agreement
FAQs, Ethics, & Policies
Description of Coaching: Coaching is partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to maximize personal and professional potential. It is designed to facilitate the creation/development of personal, professional or business goals and to develop and carry out a strategy/plan for achieving those goals.
1) Coach-Client Relationship
The coach agrees to maintain the ethics and standards of behaviour established by the International Coach Federation “(ICF)” (ICF Code of Ethics). It is recommended that the Client review the ICF Code of Ethics and the applicable standards of behaviour.
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.
The Client understands that 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.
Client further acknowledges that he/she may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time.
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.
Client acknowledges that coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by the American Psychiatric Association 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.
The Client understands that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, the Client agrees to communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance and to create the time and energy to participate fully in the program.
2) Services
The parties agree to engage in the agreed upon number of Coaching sessions via Zoom, telephone, or in person meetings. Coach will be available to Client in between scheduled meetings as defined by the Coach. Please note that unscheduled interactions will not go into the same depth as regular sessions.
3) Schedule and Fees
As 6-12 sessions are recommended, coaching packages are advised (see website for package details). Coaching is also offered as ongoing, individual sessions (designated as “Explorer” sessions). Despite the package, all sessions are booked at least 24 hours in advance, although at least a week is preferred, according to the needs of the Client’s schedule and the availability of the Coach, at the hourly rate of $125 USD, or according to the sliding scale rate established with the Coach.
The calls/meetings shall be 60 minutes in length (with 10 min wiggle room).
4) Procedure
The time, medium and, if appropriate, location of the coaching meetings will be determined by Coach and Client based on mutually agreed upon parameters. The Zoom link for our calls can be found in the scheduling emails. If we choose to talk over the phone, the Client will initiate all scheduled calls and will call the Coach at the following number for all scheduled meetings: 1-339-223-9472. You, the Client, are responsible for remembering and being on time to our scheduled calls.
5) Confidentiality
This 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 recognized privilege. The Coach agrees not to disclose any information pertaining to the Client without the Client’s written consent. The Coach will not disclose the Client’s name as a reference without the Client’s consent.
he coach uses a variety of forms of technology within the coaching relationship: email correspondence; Zoom for online sessions; Evernote to take notes during or after sessions; Acuity for scheduling, managing client contact information, and for intake forms. The Coach does whatever they can to ensure security in using these tools, but acknowledges that there are limits to that security and confidentiality but cannot guarantee security. Overly personal details do not get added on any of these tools by the coach. If you are unsure about technology or a tool being used or any issues of confidentiality, please communicate these to the coach.
Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) was in the Coach’s possession prior to its being utilized 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.
6) Release of Information:
The Coach engages in training and continuing education pursuing and/or maintaining ICF (International Coach Federation) Credentials. That process requires the names and contact information of all Clients for possible verification by ICF. By signing this agreement, you agree to have only your name, contact information and start and end dates of coaching shared with ICF staff members and/or other parties involved in this process for the sole and necessary purpose of verifying the coaching relationship, no personal notes will be shared. According to the ethics of our profession, topics may be anonymously and hypothetically shared with other coaching professionals for training, supervision, mentoring, evaluation, and for coach professional development and/or consultation purposes.
7) Materials
The Coach may offer written materials and resources to the Client. Unless otherwise stated or noted, all materials (workbooks, images, concepts, etc) offered are the intellectual property of The Coach and should not be shared, reused, rewritten or sold by the Client without written consent by the Coach. Strategies, supports and systems created within the coaching relationship can be used by the Client at their own discretion. The Client will continue to have access to these materials after coaching ends. The Coach agrees to give the Client reasonable notice if something changes in terms of how materials will be given, whether a third party platform will be introduced, or if the materials change, or should they require deletion.
8) Cancellation Policy (and no-shows)
Client agrees that it is the Client's responsibility to cancel or reschedule appointments 24 hours in advance of the scheduled calls/meetings. This can be done through the scheduling platform on Living Willow Coaching's website (login required for returning clients). The Coach will attempt in good faith to reschedule the missed meeting. The Coach understands that emergencies can happen within a 24 hr period and requests an email as soon as possible. Inasmuch as Living Willow Coaching has a specialty in Executive Dysfunction, the Coach reserves the right to offer as much or as little flexibility as serves the needs of the client. The Coach also reserves the right to not rebook no-shows..
9) Refund Policy
Refunds will be determined by situation. If you are unhappy or unable to continue with coaching, with enough notice, I will refund any remaining sessions in a prepaid package. The Coach does not offer refunds on sessions already completed.
10) Termination
Either the Client or the Coach may end the coaching relationship at any time. See refund policy.
11) Limited Liability
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Coach makes no guarantees, representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied with respect to the coaching services negotiated, agreed upon and rendered. In no event shall the Coach be liable to the Client for any indirect, consequential or special damages. Notwithstanding any damages that the Client may incur, the Coach’s entire liability under this Agreement, and the Client’s exclusive remedy, shall be limited to the amount actually paid by the Client to the Coach under this Agreement for all coaching services rendered through and including the termination date.
You made it through the whole agreement! High Five!!!