Coaching Definition
Coaching is a partnership (an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client. It is a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the Client to maximise their personal and professional potential. It is designed to support the Client in creating personal, professional or business goals, and to develop and carry out a strategy to achieve those goals.
Coach-Client Relationship
A)Â Coach agrees to maintain the ethics and standards of behaviour established by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). The Client is encouraged to review the ICF Code of Ethics at https://coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-ethics/.
B)Â The Client is solely responsible for their own physical, mental and emotional well-being, and for all decisions, choices, actions and results arising from the coaching relationship. The Client agrees that the Coach is not liable for any actions or inactions, or for any direct or indirect result of any services provided. The Client understands that coaching is not therapy and does not substitute for therapy if needed; it does not prevent, cure or treat any mental disorder or medical condition.
C)Â The Client may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time.
D) The Client acknowledges that coaching is a comprehensive process that may involve different areas of their life, including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. Deciding how to handle these issues, how to incorporate coaching insights, and how to implement choices is entirely the Client’s responsibility.
E) Coaching does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders and is not a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, or any professional advice from legal, medical or other qualified professionals. It is the Client’s responsibility to seek such professional guidance as needed. If the Client is currently under the care of a mental health professional, the Coach recommends that they inform that professional of the nature and extent of the coaching relationship.
F)Â To get the most from the coaching relationship, the Client agrees to communicate honestly, to be open to feedback, and to create the time and energy to participate fully in the work.
Confidentiality
The coaching relationship and all information (verbal or written) that the Client shares with the Coach is bound by the principles of confidentiality set out in the ICF Code of Ethics. However, the Client should be aware that the Coach-Client relationship is not a legally privileged relationship (in the way that conversations with doctors or lawyers can be), and communications are not subject to the protection of any legally recognised privilege.
The Coach agrees not to disclose any information about the Client without the Client’s written consent. The Coach will not use the Client’s name as a reference without consent.
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Confidential information does NOT include information that:
a) was in the Coach’s possession before being shared by the Client;
b) is generally known to the public or in the Client’s industry;
c)Â 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 using the Client’s confidential information;
e)Â the Coach is required to disclose by statute, lawfully issued subpoena, or court order;
f)Â is disclosed to the Coach where the Coach reasonably believes there is an imminent or likely risk of harm to the Client or others;
g)Â involves illegal activity.
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Anonymised topics may be shared with other coaching professionals for training, supervision, mentoring, evaluation and continuing professional development purposes.
The Client agrees to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with the Coach in a timely manner.