This Coaching Agreement (“Agreement”) establishes the relationship between Stephon Shaw (“Coach”) and the individual identified below (“Client”). Coaching is a collaborative, thought-provoking and creative process designed to help the Client gain clarity, deepen self-awareness, explore possibilities, make intentional choices and take meaningful action toward the life and goals they want to create.

 The Coach brings professional coaching skills, perspective, questions, observations, frameworks and support. The Client brings their own experiences, values, wisdom, choices and responsibility for determining what is right for them.

Coaching may address personal, professional, leadership, career, relationships, purpose, identity, growth, decision-making or other areas identified by the Client. Coaching is a partnership and alliance—not a legal business partnership—between the Coach and the Client in a though-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.

Coaching includes no guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, about any results to be achieved.

Coaching is not therapy, psychotherapy, counseling, psychoanalysis, mental-health treatment, substance-abuse treatment, medical care, legal advice, financial advice or any other professional service requiring a separate licensed professional. The Coach does not diagnose, treat or prevent mental-health disorders or medical conditions. Coaching is not a substitute for appropriate professional care.

If the Coach believes an issue falls outside the scope of coaching or that another professional may be better equipped to support the Client, the Coach may recommend that the Client seek appropriate assistance.

• Participate honestly and openly in the coaching process.

• Bring topics, questions, challenges and goals to coaching.

• Be willing to examine assumptions, perspectives, beliefs and patterns when appropriate.

• Consider and evaluate the Coach’s questions, observations and perspectives.

• Determine which actions and decisions are appropriate for them.

• Take responsibility for implementing actions or commitments they choose to make.

• Communicate openly about what is and is not working in the coaching relationship.

• Must inform Coach of past or current mental health or substance abuse conditions, including concurrent treatment with other professionals.

The Client understands that they are ultimately responsible for their own life, decisions, choices, actions and results. The Coach does not guarantee any particular outcome and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any coaching services provided.

The Coach agrees to provide coaching services with professionalism, integrity, care and respect. The Coach intends to maintain the ethical standards and professional responsibilities established by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), as applicable to the Coach’s professional status and practice.

ICF Code of Ethics: coachingfederation.org/ethics/code-of-ethics

The parties agree to engage in the coaching services described herein this Agreement, which may consist of a month coaching engagement or   individual coaching session(s) at a predetermined rate, delivered in-person, online or, by telephone. Services may include individual coaching sessions, reflection, exercises, written resources, agreed-upon practices and communication between sessions, depending on the program purchased.

Services outside the scope of the coaching program—including extensive document review, additional coaching sessions or other customized services—may be subject to an additional fee if agreed upon in writing. Coach may also be available for additional time, per Client’s request on a prorated basis rate of $250 (for example, reviewing documents, reading or writing reports, engaging in other Client related services outside of coaching hours).

• Sessions will be scheduled at mutually agreed-upon times; calls/meetings shall be completed within 45 - 60 minutes for each session.

• The Client agrees to provide at least 24 hours’ notice when canceling or rescheduling.

• Sessions canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed sessions, may be considered used and may not be eligible for rescheduling.

• The Client will be provided a calendar link to schedule meetings and assumes responsibility for initiating all scheduled calls.

• The Coach will make reasonable efforts to accommodate emergencies and unexpected circumstances.

• If the Coach must cancel or reschedule, the Coach will make reasonable efforts to provide advance notice and reschedule at a mutually convenient time.

The Client may communicate with the Coach by email or other communication methods specifically made available by the Coach. Between-session communication is intended primarily for brief questions, reflections, accountability or logistics and is not intended to replace scheduled coaching sessions. The Coach will make reasonable efforts to respond within 1–2 business days.

Payment is due according to the payment schedule identified at the time of booking. By signing this Agreement, the Client agrees to fulfill the financial commitment associated with the selected coaching program and/or individual coaching session, subject to the refund and termination provisions below.

Unless otherwise stated in another written program-specific agreement, coaching fees are non-refundable once coaching services have begun. If a payment plan is selected, cancellation of future coaching sessions does not automatically cancel future payment obligations unless otherwise agreed in writing. Exceptions may be considered by the Coach on a case-by-case basis.

The Coach will respect the privacy of information shared by the Client during the coaching relationship and will maintain confidentiality consistent with applicable law and professional ethical standards. The Coach will not intentionally disclose personally identifiable information shared by the Client without permission, except where disclosure is required or permitted by law or otherwise necessary to address a serious and imminent risk of harm.

The Client understands that coaching does not generally create the same legally protected privilege that may exist in certain professional relationships, such as attorney-client or physician-patient relationships.

Confidential information does not include information that:

• Is publicly available or becomes publicly available through no breach of this Agreement;

• Was already known to the Coach before being shared by the Client;

• Is lawfully received from another source without an obligation of confidentiality;

• Is independently developed by the Coach without reference to the Client’s confidential information; or

• Must be disclosed pursuant to applicable law, court order, subpoena or other legal requirement.

The Client also acknowledges his or her continuing obligation to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with the Coach in a timely manner.

The Coach may maintain reasonable records related to the coaching relationship, including scheduling information, coaching notes, agreements and administrative records. Records will be maintained and disposed of in accordance with the Coach’s applicable record-retention practices and legal obligations. Such records will be maintained by the Coach in a format of the Coach’s choice (print or digital/electronic) for a period of not less than 2 years. 

Either the Client or Coach may choose to end the coaching relationship. The Client may discontinue coaching by providing written notice. The Coach may terminate the relationship if coaching is no longer appropriate, the relationship is incompatible with professional or ethical responsibilities, the Client requires services outside the scope of coaching, or for other reasonable professional reasons.

Upon termination, the Client remains responsible for fees for services already provided and any other payment obligations expressly agreed to under this Agreement, subject to the applicable refund and cancellation policy.

The Client understands that coaching involves personal exploration, decision-making, experimentation and action, and that outcomes vary. The Coach makes no guarantees, representations or warranties regarding any particular result or outcome. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Coach will not be responsible for indirect, incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages arising from or related to the coaching relationship. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to exclude or limit liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

If a dispute arises concerning this Agreement or the coaching relationship, the Client and Coach agree to first make a good-faith effort to resolve the matter through direct communication. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, the parties agree to consider mediation before pursuing litigation, unless otherwise prohibited or impractical under applicable law.

By proceeding with coaching services, the Client acknowledges that they have received and had the opportunity to review this Agreement, ask questions, and seek clarification before beginning coaching.

The Client voluntarily agrees to participate in coaching and agrees to the terms outlined in this Agreement. The Client understands the distinction between coaching and therapy or other professional services. The Client further understands that coaching is a collaborative process and that they—not the Coach—are ultimately responsible for their own decisions, actions, and results.