Parent Coaching Agreement

I am looking forward to working with you, and am committed to helping you achieve your vision for you, your family, and your homeschool.

Coaching Services

As your coach, you can expect me to:

  • encourage you to care for yourself so that you can be your best as a parent.
  • support you in setting goals and taking the steps to meet your goals.
  • provide careful listening, powerful questions and honest feedback.
  • respect the confidentiality of this agreement and what is shared in our time together.

As my client, I expect that you will:

  • be honest with yourself and with me.
  • commit to goals that are meaningful to you.
  • take ownership for your progress and your accomplishments.
  • respect the confidentiality of this agreement and what is shared in our time together.

Payment Procedures

Payments for all services are required in advance of the scheduled appointment. Payment can be made through PayPal when booking.

Session Time

A scheduled time will be mutually agreed on by choosing a booking slot in my calendar when paying for the session. I will call you via Skype at the designated time.

Cancellation Policy

My time is valuable, as is yours, and is to always be treated as such by both. Cancelled appointments require a minimum of 24 hours notice or are subject to your session fee being forfeit. Sessions can, however, be rescheduled anytime prior to the 24 hour cut-off. Any appointments paid in advance are not refunded if you choose not to continue coaching for any reason.

Confidentiality and Informed Consent

I protect the confidentiality of all my clients. I will only release information about our work with your written permission or if I am required to do so by a court of law. Breaches of confidentiality, in which I am obligated to report confidential information, are specific in only two instances:

  1. If I have information that indicates that a child, elderly, or disabled person is being abused or neglected I am obligated by law to report this information to the appropriate local agencies for the protection of that person.
  2. If a client is in imminent risk to him/herself or makes threats of imminent violence against another person, I am required by law to report this to the appropriate local agencies for protective action.

Though these situations rarely occur in coaching, when and if they do occur, I will do my best to communicate in advance any necessary and legally obligated protective action that I may take.

Coaching and Psychotherapy

Coaching services aim to increase parenting confidence, comfort, and parent-child relationships. This is done by encouraging you to make significant behavior and lifestyle changes to incorporate new skills. Psychotherapy is a health service that includes mental health practitioners with training and experience in diagnosing and treating emotional and psychological problems. The coaching provided does not include psychotherapy or any other health care service.

Coaching Commitment

Though at times it may feel like a close personal relationship, the coaching relationship is a professional relationship that does not extend beyond professional boundaries either during or after our work together. As the coach, my job is to further build on and develop the parenting skills and knowledge you already possess and to assist you in decisions about making changes. I will be honest, direct, and at times challenge you in ways that might feel uncomfortable. As the client, you will set the direction and focus of the coaching sessions and to determine how much change you are able or willing to make. You will be expected to be honest about your progress and to speak up and discuss concerns should the coaching relationship not be meeting your expectations.

Coaching does not offer any guarantee of success or definitive changed behavior of your child but the more one is committed to change, the more beneficial the experience can be.

By registering for a coaching session, you agree to the following:

  • I agree to all terms and conditions above and am committed to change and improve my parenting skills, confidence, and relationships with my children, and the functionality of my homeschool.
  • I understand that parent coaching is a comprehensive process that may involve or touch on many areas of my life including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. I acknowledge that deciding how to handle these issues and implement any changes is exclusively my responsibility.
  • I understand that coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
  • I understand that coaching is not a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, or substance abuse treatment. I will not use it in place of any form of diagnosis, treatment or therapy.
  • I promise that if I am currently in therapy or otherwise under the care of a mental health professional, that I have consulted with the mental health care provider regarding the advisability of working with a coach and that this person is aware of my decision to proceed with the coaching relationship.

Your registration for a coaching session indicates that you have read the information in this agreement and agree to abide by all its terms and conditions during the professional coaching relationship. I appreciate your trust and the opportunity to serve you!

We’ll talk soon,

Colleen Kessler, M.Ed.