Next Steps

Life Coaching Consent Form

Pam Desantiago & Jason Kelley
Next Steps The Colony
5204 S. Colony blvd #200, The Colony, TX 75056
(972) 445-7770
Pam@nextstepstc.org or Jason@nextstepstc.org

Description of Coaching: Coaching is a 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
    1. 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 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.
    2. Client further acknowledges that he/she may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time.
    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 the 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 sessions.
  2. Services - The client agrees to participate in 45-minute sessions in person at the Next Steps office. Please arrive 15 minutes early for the first session in order to go over and sign this consent form.
  3. Fee - Next Steps does not require a fee for coaching services. Next Steps asks the client to make a donation of their choosing to the Next Steps non-profit organization. Clients can do this via our website at nextstepstc.org or by using our VENMO account.
  4. Schedule - The time of the coaching sessions will be determined by the Coach and Client based on a mutually agreed-upon time. Normal coaching hours for Next Steps are Monday – Friday (8 am – 3 pm).
  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. 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 the 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. Cancellation Policy - The client agrees that it is the Client's responsibility to notify the Coach 24 hours in advance of the scheduled calls/meetings. The coach will attempt in good faith to reschedule the missed meeting.
  7. Termination - Either the Client or the Coach may terminate this Agreement at any time with one-week written notice. The client agrees to compensate the Coach for all coaching services rendered through and including the effective date of termination of the coaching relationship.
  8. 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.
  9. Entire Agreement - This document reflects the entire agreement between the Coach 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 in writing signed by both the Coach and the Client.
  10. Binding Effect - This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permissible assigns.

BY SIGNING YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE TERMS