One-on-One Support Policies

Last updated April 2024

ReSpec offers one-on-one support (also referred to as coaching) on both short-term and ongoing bases. Our team of facilitators and coaches have a wide range of expertises and availability, and we want to work together towards providing each client with the best possible support. 

We want to offer some foundations for building a clear understanding of boundaries and expectations of this professional relationship. Upon receiving this document, please read and sign to indicate that you have reviewed and agreed to these policies. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or clarifications.

In one-on-one support, we co-create a process for clients who are willing to do the work to engage meaningfully with accountability. This process requires time, energy, attention, and practice. As with anything in life, each person’s success depends on many factors, including the client’s personal motivation, time commitment, and how effectively they each implement the strategies and skills addressed. The cost of coaching is an investment in yourself, and, as with any investment, there is both great potential for a great return on investment, and a risk of limited return on investment. There are no quick fixes, and we cannot promise that your behavior or circumstances will change within the time we work together. However, we can promise to support each and every client and help them clarify needs, preferences, and areas of growth. Please also note that any personal growth process entails a considerable amount of discomfort.

Scheduling

Individual sessions will be 60 minutes each on a schedule jointly decided upon by both parties. Keeping a consistent time and day of the week can support some people in staying organized and prepared for sessions. For others, scheduling at the end of each session may feel more adaptable and intuitive. 

The frequency of sessions and length of commitment will be decided between the coach and the client. At the start, we recommend at least 4-6 sessions, meeting weekly or every-other-week, in order to allow for sufficient space to follow up, practice, clarify, and adjust between both the client and the coach. Beyond that, the client and coach can determine whether to continue meeting for another specified length of time or on an ongoing basis. When either party makes the decision to discontinue, it is recommended that we have a final 1-2 sessions to provide closure, review, and completion.

Cancellations must be communicated a minimum of 24 hours in advance by either party. We can work around travel, schedule changes, and one-off events by communicating proactively. One late cancellation, including illness, will be excused during each 12-month time period. After this first incident, and with the exception of emergencies, late cancellations or no-shows will result in the forfeiture of a pre-paid session or the charging of a regular session. 

If clients are more than 15 minutes late to the session, it will be considered a no-show. If a coach cancels a session late, they will reschedule that session as soon as possible or will roll the session over to the next week. If a coach cancels a prepaid session twice in a row, the client may request a full refund of that session.

Fee and Compensation for Services

Payment schedule to be agreed upon by both parties. We offer a sliding scale to accommodate client needs. We reserve the right to renegotiate terms and fees for any client at any point in our working together.

Payment is taken before or at the start of each session. 

Limits of Coaching

Coaching is not therapy, does not seek to diagnose, and cannot act as a substitute for counseling, mental health, medical, academic, or financial services. If Client discloses information that is outside of Coach’s scope of practice, Coach may recommend that a client be enrolled in therapy or be seen by another medical or mental health provider in conjunction with coaching work. Coach will always do their best to refer clients to other professionals they know and trust.

Limits of Confidentiality, Rights, and Disclosure:

The information Client shares with Coach is private, and Coach will treat it with the greatest respect. All notes from appointments are kept confidential and will not be released to anyone without Client’s written permission. There are, however, situations in which Coach might discuss aspects of Client’s case with another professional, and Coach is asking for Client’s agreement to allow Coach to consult on cases with colleagues and specialists as needed. These individuals are ethically required, as Coach is, to maintain confidentiality, and Client’s identity will remain anonymous.

Coach may use and disclose contact and/or coaching information in certain emergency situations. Examples include but are not limited to suspected child abuse, elder abuse, abuse of a person with a disability, as well as disclosure of serious intent to harm others. If a Coach decides to disclose that information shared with others, they will always first let the Client know and consider if there is an opportunity to disclose this information together. Coach and Client may discuss these boundaries more deeply before further discussing a sensitive topic if concerns arise. 

Any other uses and disclosures of coaching records and information will be made only with Client’s written authorization on a separate release form. Client may revoke such authorization in writing at any time, and Coach is required to honor and abide by that written request, except to the extent that Coach has alreadytaken actions relying on your authorization.

Sessions will not be recorded unless Client requests and agrees in writing to do so.