These terms of participation are the essential foundation for a successful coaching relationship. This agreement is between Self-Compassion LLC, its contracted Coaches, and prospective Clients seeking self-compassion-based life coaching. Please read the terms carefully and indicate your agreement at the bottom of the page. 

1) The Coach-Client Relationship: Coaching is a partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between a Coach and a 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. All coaches offered through Self-Compassion LLC agree to maintain the ethics and standards of behavior established by the International Coach Federation (ICF)  https://coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-ethics/icf-code-of-ethics/
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 Self-Compassion LLC, nor its coaches are 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 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, incorporating coaching principles into those areas, and implementing choices is exclusively the Client’s responsibility.
4. 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 counseling, 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.
5. 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.
6. Client further acknowledges that he/she may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time. (Details explained below)

2) Delivery of Coaching Services The parties agree to engage in coaching only through scheduled online sessions on Self-Compassion LLC’s designated platform. Any administrative questions can be directed to info@self-compassion.org.

3) Scheduling Procedure The standard coaching sessions shall be 50 minutes in length. The time of the coaching meetings will be scheduled by the Client and/or a self-compassion.org team member in the scheduling portal based on mutual availability. The Client will receive a unique meeting link for each session. The coach will wait up to 15 minutes for the arrival of the Client before considering the client a no-show if no prior notification has been given. 

4)  Cancellation & No-show Policy It is the Client’s responsibility to cancel no later than 24 hours in advance of any scheduled session. This must be done through your scheduling portal on self-compassion.org.  If the cancellation is less than 24 hours or if no cancellation notice is given, the session will be counted as a no-show, and the Client will forfeit that session.

On the rare occasion a Coach needs to cancel, the Client will be notified as soon as possible by email. In this case, the client will not forfeit that session and will be able to reschedule the session.

5) Fees and Usage Restrictions

• • Fees are per the published fees applicable at registration. If rates change anytime after this agreement has been signed and dated, the prevailing rates will apply for all future purchased sessions and packages.

• Client has 90 days from the date of purchase to use coaching sessions.  We suggest all sessions are scheduled within 30 days of purchase to ensure there is ample time to use the sessions within that time frame.  Any unused sessions will be forfeited beyond 90 days. 
• The refund policy is as follows:  All sessions and session packages purchased are nonrefundable. 

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. 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.

6)  Release of Information
The Coaches engage 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)  Record Retention Policy The Client acknowledges that the Coach may his/her record retention policy with respect to documents, information, and data acquired or shared during the term of the Coach-Client relationship. Such records will be maintained by the Coach in a format of the Coach’s choice (print or digital/electronic) for a period of not less than 2 years.

8) Termination Either the Client or the Coach may terminate the coaching relationship at any time.  If the Coach feels the Client is needing support beyond the scope of coaching and/or is no longer benefiting from the coaching process, the Self-Compassion LLC may decide to terminate the relationship.  In this case, any unused sessions still within the window of usability will be refunded at the prorated amount.

9. Limited Liability Except as expressly provided in this agreement, we can make 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 or the Self-Compassion LLC 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.

10) Entire Agreement This document reflects the entire agreement between the Self-Compassion LLC, its coaches, and the Client, and reflects a complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter. This agreement supersedes all prior written and oral representations. The agreement may not be amended, altered or supplemented except with consent of both Self-Compassion LLC and the Client.

11) Dispute Resolution If a dispute arises out of this agreement that cannot be resolved by mutual consent, the Client and Self-Compassion LLC agree to attempt to mediate in good faith for up to (certain amount of time such as 30 days) after notice given. If the dispute is not so 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.

13) 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.

14) 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.

15) Applicable Law This agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, as opposed to any other locality, without giving effect to any conflicts of law’s provisions.

16) Binding Effect

These agreements shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permissible assigns.