Welcome to my coaching practice. This document constitutes a contract between us (the “AGREEMENT”). You should read it carefully and raise any questions/concerns that you have before you sign it.
Coaching is a dynamic, thought-provoking partnership between the coach and client aimed to maximize the client’s potential. The process includes specifying goals and developing a plan to achieve those goals.
Laser coaching
Laser coaching is a short term, specific type of coaching. Laser coaching helps clients to clearly define goals that can be accomplished in a short amount of time, usually between one to three sessions. Our laser coaching work together will use this approach to help you attain some beneficial outcomes in our short time together.
Differences Between Coaching and Psychotherapy
I have trained extensively in coaching through the College of Executive Coaching, and I continue to develop this expertise. In addition to being a coach, I am also a licensed psychologist in Vermont (Maine) with training and experience in diagnosing and treating emotional problems. While there are some similarities between coaching and psychotherapy, they are very different activities. It is important that you understand the differences between them. Both coaching and psychotherapy utilize knowledge of human behavior, motivation, and behavioral change. Psychotherapy is a health-care service usually reimbursable through health insurance policies, which is not true for coaching.
The primary focus of psychotherapy is the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders in order to alleviate symptoms and change dysfunctional behaviors. The focus of coaching is to development and implement strategies to reach client-identified goals related to enhancing performance and/or satisfaction with a variety of aspects of their life (e.g., improving wellness or making an important decision). I cannot be someone’s coach and psychologist. Coaching clients do not receive any type of mental health treatment, and coaching does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental health or substance abuse issues. If either of us believes that you would benefit from a mental health intervention, I will give you information about resources. You will be solely responsible for researching options and arranging for your mental health services.
Coaching sessions
I provide phone or video-conference coaching services designed in collaboration with the client. Coaching clients set the coaching agenda. Success depends on the client’s willingness to be honest and try new approaches. I will ask powerful questions and use challenging techniques to help you to achieve your goals. You are expected to evaluate progress. If coaching is not working as you wish, you should immediately inform me so we can both take steps to correct the problem. Like all coaches, I cannot guarantee a positive outcome for the services I provide. As such, your signature on this form indicates that you agree that I am not and will not be liable or responsible for any outcomes you experience related to your coaching experience. Either one of us can terminate the coaching relationship.
Coaching is a professional relationship. While it may often feel like a close personal relationship, it is not one that can extend beyond professional boundaries both during and after our work together. Considerable experience shows that when boundaries blur, the hard-won benefits gained from the coaching relationship may be compromised.
Fee arrangements
Fees for services being provided under this contract (up to two, 45-minute coaching sessions) are being paid by your employer, Diversified Communications. Services will be billed to your company under a general hourly rate with no indication of the name of the person for whom services have been provided. No records of meetings or notes are to be given to any member of Diversified Communications or its representatives.
Cancellation Policy
You are required to give 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or request a change in the appointment time. If you cancel fewer than 24 hours in advance, you will be charged for that session as one of your allotted sessions in the program. I might make exceptions to this policy for urgent medical situations, bad weather and/or a personal emergency.
I will make every effort to reschedule sessions that are cancelled as soon as my schedule will allow.
Wellness credits
By completing these coaching sessions, you are eligible to receive wellness credits as part of the Wellness Program at Diversified Communications. I will not notify HR staff of your participation in the program, so no one from the company will know of any details of your involvement. However, you may self-identify as a participant in the coaching program to receive wellness credits by contacting Lisa McCann in HR at: LMcCann@Divcom.com
Confidentiality
I will protect the confidentiality of our communications consistent with the law and applicable professional ethical standards. I will only release information to others with your written permission, in a true emergency, in response to a court order, or in response to a subpoena. There are some situations in which I am legally obligated to breach confidentiality in order to protect you or others from harm. If I have information that leads me to suspect that a child, elder or disabled person is being abused and/or neglected, I must report that to the appropriate state agencies. If a client is an imminent risk to themselves or makes threats of imminent violence against others, I am required to take protective steps. These situations are quite rare in coaching practices. If such a situation occurs, I will make every effort to discuss it with you before taking action.
As you know, it is impossible to protect the confidentiality of information that is transmitted electronically. This is particularly true of email and information stored on computers that are connected to the Internet, which do not utilize encryption and other forms of security protection.
If we communicate via a video-conference platform or by phone, you must ensure your own confidentiality from your location. For example, someone could overhear your discussion if you do not take the steps necessary to ensure your privacy (e.g., have a separate space and/or use headphones for privacy).
In order to provide the best services possible, I may engage in peer consultation and discuss the themes of meetings without providing identifying information about you.
Records
A record will be kept in your name. This record will include summaries of each contact and any collateral information received. My records are locked and secured.
Your signature below indicates that you have read and understood the above information and agree to its terms. You are acknowledging that you have been given information necessary to consent to coaching and are consenting to receive those services. You also acknowledge that you have access to a copy of this contract.
