Life Coaching Contracts and Agreements

I am often asked by clients and novice coaches alike how I set about formulating my life coaching contracts. All I can say is that it helps that my partner has an LLB! Nevertheless, here are a few examples:

Coaching Contacts are based on an allaince between client and coach:

The coach provides the client with a free introductory session, hereafter the client commits to paying fees monthly in advance.

The client commits to doing homework as agreed appropriate between coach and client.

The sessions between coach and client are entirely confidential, the coach will not make information available to a third party unless requested to do so by the client.

The client undertakes to stop or change behaviours that interfere with their progress. The client understands that coaching is NOT an appropriate process to remedy psychological distress.

The client will endeavour to be open with their coach about their perception of how the coaching is progressing.

The client commits to cooperating with their coach to design goals and action steps to reach their goals.

The client will be receptive to new approaches to help them achieve my goals. He/she accepts that coaching is an appropriate approach to help accomplish their goals. The client will take regular actions to help achieve their coaching goals even in the absence of immediate results.

As an example of typical Life Coaching Contracts and Agreements, here is ours:

Equestrian Life Coaching Contract

Name:
Type of Package:
Starting date:
Ending date:
Fee per month:
Session day:

1. As a client, I understand that I remain fully responsible for my physical, emotional and mental well-being, including my choices and decisions. I am aware that I can choose to discontinue my coaching at any time.

2. I understand that the coaching relationship is professional, designed to facilitate the creation/development of personal/professional and business goals and to develop and implement a strategy/plan for achieving these goals.

3. I understand that coaching is a comprehensive process that may involve all area of my life, including work, health, finances, relationships, recreation and education. I acknowledge that deciding how to handle these issues, incorporate coaching into these areas, and implementing my choices are exclusively my responsibility.

4. I understand that coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by the DSM III. I understand that coaching is not a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care or substances abuse treatment and I will not use it in place of any form of diagnosis, treatment or therapy.

5. I firmly state that if I am currently in therapy or otherwise under the care of a mental health professional, that I have consulted with the mental care provider regarding the advisability of working with a coach and that this person/s is aware of my decision to proceed with the coaching relationship.

6. I understand that information will be held as confidential unless I state otherwise, in writing, except as required by law.

7. I understand that certain topics may be anonymously and hypothetically shared with other coaching for training or consultation purposes.

8. I understand that coaching is not to be used as a substitute for professional advice by legal, financial, spiritual or other qualified professionals. I will seek independent professional guidance for legal, medical, financial, business, spiritual or other matters. I understand that all these areas are exclusively mine and I acknowledge that my decisions and my actions regarding them are my sole responsibility.

I have read and agree to the above.

Signature client

Signature coach

Date

My Commitment to YOU

...and another example of Life Coaching Contracts and Agreements:

Professional Code of Ethics of Equestrian Life Coaching

All staff, tutors, students, graduates, associate and members of Equestrian Life Coaching agree to:-

• Treat all clients and potential clients with absolute dignity, confidentiality and respect as free and equal individuals.

• Respect the commercial confidentiality of Equestrian Life Coaching by not divulging business information to any third parties.

• Maintain the good reputation of the coaching profession in general and Equestrian Life Coaching in particular.

• Comply with both the spirit and the letter of any commercial agreements made with clients, potential clients, professional colleagues and Equestrian Life Coaching.

• Make commercial agreements with clients and potential clients that are fair and will respect all parties to such agreements.

• Represent true levels of status, title, competence and experience in order not to mislead, misrepresent or defraud.

• Clearly state to clients and potential clients the terms of any commercial agreement including the expectations of both parties.

• Make no claims or implications of outcomes that cannot be demonstrated or guaranteed.

• Obtain written permission from any client or potential client before releasing their names as referees.

• Respect the absolute rights of the client's confidentiality except as expressly permitted by the client or potential client in writing or as required by law.

• Recommend different coaches or resources when these will be more appropriate to the client's needs.

• Avoid all conflicts of interests and give notice of such potential conflicts to Equestrian Life Coaching.

• Advise both Equestrian Life Coaching and the client on the risk of conflict if a relationship moves beyond a coach/client situation. (For example a personal or business relationship).

• Refrain from offering professional information or advice that you know to be confidential, misleading or where the accuracy is beyond your competence to assess.

• Endeavour to enhance public understanding and acceptance of professional coaching

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