Dear Potential Client...
The purpose of this agreement is to give us a strong foundation to work from. Please read this through and use the Submit button at the bottom to accept. Agreement is dynamic, so this is my suggested framework: I’m open to your contributions to it, and always happy to discuss your highest good. Thank you!
Coaching is a thought-provoking, creative partnership
Coaching is designed to help clients move forward, overcome being stuck, and reach goals.
Note: Per the ICF definition, the coach partners with clients “in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. This process often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.”
Coaching is not therapy or counseling
Coaching does not substitute for therapy if needed, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease. If I am under the care of a mental health professional, I will inform them of my coaching agreement.
Note: Coaching sees people as creative, resourceful and whole and the expert in their own life. The client chooses the focus. The coach listens and contributes observations and questions to help the client clarify what they’re willing and able to do to get what they want.
CLIENT AGREES
I am responsible for my own well-being, decisions, choices and actions in this relationship
- I acknowledge that incorporating coaching outcomes is exclusively my responsibility.
- My coach is not liable for any action or inaction, or any direct or indirect results of my actions.
Note: Coaching conversation can go deep into areas including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. I understand it is my coach’s job to facilitate these conversations.
COACH AGREES
I work from and for your wholeness
Note: I see you as a whole and spiritually able person, ready to embody your highest potential. When I have insight to share, I strive to deliver it with caring and skill, trusting you know I have your wholeness and success in mind.
SERVICES, SCHEDULES, FEES
This is worthy work and we commit to the following together
Note: The parties agree to engage in a professional coaching/mentoring/consulting relationship
Client Services Choices
- Schedule and pay for individual or package of coaching or mentor sessions per Shonda's instructions
- Enroll in a multi-week Positive Intelligence Program
- Schedule a free appointment to discuss creating a custom, ongoing engagement
Coaches Promises
- To be available to all clients for sessions by zoom or phone, and by special arrangement, in person
- To be available to all clients by email and voicemail in between scheduled meetings for up to 30 minutes per month, gratis
- To be available for additional time, per clients’ request, on a prorated basis of my $175 hourly fee (for example, reviewing documents, reading or writing reports, etc.
Fees are established per service: Individual session fees are disclosed within each service offering on Shonda's Website.
Our relationship begins with a complimentary 30 minute discovery session discussing your goals, which you can book on Shonda's website using the book a call button. Coach follows that conversation up with a welcome email which validates our specific service, schedule and fee agreement. The welcome email will also include:
- The agreed upon number, length and method of calls/meetings
- The fee per session
- The direction of the coaching
Note: indicating intended focus on the following topics/results/outcomes/goals as known at the time of agreement
With the welcome email and this executed agreement, coaching can then proceed.
PROCEDURE
Together, we make this happen
The time and location of meetings tend to be on Zoom but can be mutually determined by Coach and Client. The Client will initiate all scheduled calls and contact the Coach for all scheduled meetings.
CANCELATION POLICY/TERMINATION
We respect each other’s time
- Client agrees it is their responsibility to cancel 24 hours in advance of the scheduled meetings.
- Coach reserves the right to bill Client for a missed meeting.
- Coach will attempt in good faith to reschedule the missed meeting.
- Either the Client or the Coach may terminate this agreement at any time with written notice (email is fine).
CONFIDENTIALLY/RELEASE OF INFORMATION
We respect important boundaries
Confidentiality: This coaching relationship and all verbal or written information that the Client shares is bound to 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.
Release of Information: The Client also acknowledges his or her continuing obligation to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with the Coach in a timely manner.
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.
Notice of use of Contact Information to Verify Coach Training:
The Coach engages in training and maintaining ICF (International Coach Federation) Credentials. This process requires only the names and contact information, plus start/end dates of coaching of all Clients for possible verification by ICF staff members or other parties involved in this process for the sole and necessary purpose of verifying the coaching relationship. No personal notes will be shared.
Note: According to the ethics of our profession, topics may be anonymously and hypothetically shared with other coaching professionals for mentoring, training, evaluation, professional development or consultation purposes.
Record Retention Policy:
Coach collects contact information and potentially some session notes stored in electronic documents, private to the Coach and the Client to which those notes pertain. Coach maintains these records for not less than seven years, then the notes are deleted.
Limited Liability:
We are each responsible for our own actions, we respect each other even when we disagree, we will work toward harmony and wholeness in our relationship and responses.
Note: Except as provided in this agreement, the Coach makes no express or implied guarantees or warranties. In no event will the Coach be liable to the Client for 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, will be limited to the amount paid by the Client to the Coach under this agreement for all services rendered up until the termination date.
If a dispute arises out of this agreement that cannot be resolved by mutual consent, the Client and Coach agree to attempt to mediate in good faith for up to 30 days after notice is given. If the dispute is not resolved, and in the event of legal action, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover attorney’s fees and court costs from the other party.
Severability:
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If the Court finds that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
Waiver:
The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that party's right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every provision of this Agreement.
Applicable Law:
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia without giving effect to any conflicts of laws provisions.
I've read the agreement... here's my input:
