Group Client Coaching Agreement

This Agreement is entered into by and between: Gentle Health Coach Lisa D'Orazio (Coach) and (Client) whereby Coach agrees to provide Group Coaching Services for the Client.

Definition of Coach
A coach is a person with specialized training, with whom to have a healthy and positive sounding board to investigate, research and develop your plans and ideas. In short, a coach is a part of your support network, there to help and support you in turning your desires into choices, and your choices into actions! A coach is someone who can help you learn things about yourself, and who can help you make well-informed decisions that will help you get the results that are right for your specific needs. I want to support you in your own thought process in overcoming your challenges and eliminating the things that are blocking you from reaching your wellness goals.

What a Coach is NOT
A coach is not counseling or therapy. Coaching starts from the premise of wholeness. You already have wonderful strengths, talents, and gifts inside you that just need further development.
A coach is not a medical alternative. While coaching can benefit your health and wellness, it is not a medical treatment nor is it a treatment alternative for mental health services.
A coach is not a mentor. While you may choose to utilize my suggestions and guidance to model your approach, it is important you understand the way I do this is not the only approach. My goal is to help you develop your path to success. It’s important that the way you eat fits how you live, your family, your budget, your career, your hobbies and interest, and ultimately every aspect of your life. This is your personal wellness journey.

Definition of Coaching
Coaching is not only a service but also a partnership. It is also a relationship that will require effort, commitment, and teamwork from BOTH parties. It is designed to facilitate the development of your personal weight-management and wellness goals and to develop and carry out a strategy/plan for achieving those goals. Your results from coaching largely depend on your readiness and willingness to change. This will be more difficult at times. While you may want to change, you may find that you are not ready to do so. When this occurs, we are may have to slow down and work through some issues. Most people fail at obtaining goals because the goals they set are not set at their current level of readiness. Through communication, we will work through this together, one step at a time when and if the need should arise, pacing ourselves in the building of a strong foundation as we prepare to climb mountains together.

 

1) Coach-Client Relationship
A. Coach agrees to maintain the ethics and standards of behavior befitting our professional relationship.
B. The Client is solely responsible for creating, implementing and maintaining 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. Client understands coaching is not therapy and is not a substitute for therapy if needed, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease.
C. Client further acknowledges that he/she may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time.
D. 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, incorporate coaching principles into those areas and implementing choices is exclusively the Client’s responsibility.
E. 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.
F. 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.

 

2) Services

A. The parties agree to engage in online group coaching.  Current group offering(s):

Fresh Start Together: September 10 - October 1, 2023

Also at my discretion, I may be willing to provide summaries of any group contents and challenges to Client(s) who do not use the Facebook platform.  Summaries would be provided via email, with up to 3 responses from me per day to questions resulting from the summaries.  Participation in video conferencing sessions would be included in this version of the program, at the original scheduled times for the Facebook group.  Client(s) selecting this option acknowledge surrendering the group interaction portion of the package, and also acknowledge this does not create a full one-on-one coaching arrangement with the Client, instead limiting my interaction to the scope of what would have been within the group environment.

 

3) Schedule And Fees
This coaching agreement is valid as of the beginning of the group selected, or when payment is received via PayPal or Stripe, whichever date is later. All sales are final. Gentle Health does not offer refunds for group coaching programs, nor can I reschedule participation as it is a time-based group format.  I can hold the purchase for a future offering, but there is a chance the current group format may not be offered again in the future, at the coach's discretion.

 

4) Appointments
Group Coaching does not include individual appointments.  

 

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, will be kept confidential. 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. (h)The one exception to the above aforementioned is in matters of medical emergencies. If at any point the Coach feels or is made aware of a life-threatening situation (or one that will result in harm to any person) the Coach will immediately notify the appropriate authorities.

 

6) Cancellation Policy
As indicated in section 3, no refunds are provided for group coaching Clients.  Rescheduling Group Coaching is not possible unless another session of the group is currently planned at the time of the rescheduling request.

7) Limited Liability
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Coach makes no guarantees, representations or warranties of any kind or nature, expressed 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. 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. The Client accepts full responsibility for the outcome of successfully reaching their goals and clearly understands that while a coach can assist them, they ultimately cannot guarantee another person’s success. Only you, the Client, can guarantee that.

8) 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.

9) Dispute Resolution
If a dispute arises out of this agreement that cannot be resolved by mutual consent, the Client and Coach agree to attempt to mediate in good faith for up to 30 days once notice has been 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.

10) 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.

11) 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.

12) Applicable Law
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any conflicts of law’s provisions.

13) Binding Effect
This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permissible assigns.

14) Disclaimer
A. The information and services provided are not intended to take the place of the Client’s physician’s advice and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The Client should discuss this information with your own physician or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you. All information is intended for the Client’s general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The Client should always seek the advice of a physician, mental health provider, or other health care professional regarding any questions or concerns about specific health situations, including but not limited to physical or mental health issues, possible or actual pregnancy, known or suspected food sensitivities or allergies, inflammatory conditions, dietary restrictions, or any medications currently being taken. The Client should not stop taking any medications without speaking to a physician, mental health provider, or other health care professional.

B. The Coach is supporting the Client exclusively in the role as a nutrition coach only. Information and services are provided concerning, but not limited to, the maximizing of human health and optimizing wellness. Support is offered to allow the Client to be empower to take action to improve their health. The Coach will share general health and wellness and natural medicine concepts, documents, consulting, and other related information that is aimed to help the Client empower themself to take their health into their own hands. It is the Coach’s role to partner with the Client to provide ongoing support and accountability as the Client creates an action plan to meet and maintain their health goals.

C. The Client’s success depends primarily on their own effort, motivation, commitment, and follow-through. The Coach cannot and does not guarantee that the Client will attain a particular result, and the Client accepts and understand that results differ by each individual. Each individual’s health and wellness success depends on his or her background, dedication, desire, and motivation. As with any health-related program or service, the Client’s results may vary, and will be based on many variables, including but not limited to, body chemistry, daily demands, energy expenditure, stage of life, individual capacity, life experience, unique health and genetic profile, starting point, expertise, and level of commitment.

Signing below indicates you agree to the the terms and conditions of this Group Client Coaching Agreement: