Coaching Agreement

This page outlines the terms of a Coaching Agreement between Jo Gibney (Coach) and a Client.

The Coaching Agreement is for the number of sessions booked.

Packages of coaching need to be completed within six (6) months of the date of the first session.

You agree to these Terms by making payment for coaching services (the ‘Coaching Agreement’ or the ‘Agreement’).

What is Coaching?

Coaching helps individuals with personal, professional or business goals or objectives, including developing a plan for achieving those goals.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as:

“...a transformative journey where you discover your true potential. ... At its heart, coaching is about exploration. It’s a process that stirs up creativity, fuels personal growth, and maximizes both professional and personal potential. Through powerful questioning and insightful dialogue, coaches support you in discovering your own solutions, whether for life decisions, career shifts, or business challenges. Coaching goes beyond surface-level improvements; it cultivates deep, lasting change.”

Fees and Payment

One-off sessions must be paid for in advance, on booking. This includes voicenote coaching.

The Fee is as agreed between the Coach and Client. Current pricing can be found on my website, including on my Key Facts page.

All Fees will be in British Pounds, and via bank transfer or credit card (via Stripe).

Payment for all sessions, or the first payment if the full fee is to be paid in more than one payment, is due before the first session.

Communication between sessions

The Coach can be contacted by in between scheduled meetings by email, Voxer or WhatsApp.
The Coach will aim to respond within three (3) working days (Monday to Friday).
If the Coach is unable to attend the arranged coaching session, the Coach will aim to notify the Client 48 hours before to reschedule.

Session Cancellation Policy

Emergencies mean that the Coach or Client may not be in a position to give notice. Should less than the required notice be given, or the Coach or Client does not show up, rescheduling or a refund is at the discretion of the Coach.

It is the Client's responsibility to notify the Coach at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled coaching session if they need to reschedule. Sessions booked via TidyCal can be rescheduled via the booking. Alternatively, the Client should contact the Coach to reschedule.

Voicenote coaching sessions can be rescheduled via the Coach.

The Coach is happy to reschedule a session or day of voicenote coaching twice. After that, the Client will forfeit the session, as rescheduling reduces the Coach’s availability for other Clients or work.

The Coach aims to notify the Client at least 48 hours in advance if they need to reschedule a coaching session. The Coach will attempt to reschedule the missed meeting, If the Coach is not able to rearrange, a full refund for that session will be made.

Termination of the Coaching Agreement

Cooling off period

As per UK law, you have a 14-day cooling-off period. The Client may cancel this contract within 14 days and receive a refund. Should a coaching session have already taken place, you may be charged for that session.

After the first session

If you feel you’ve achieved what you wanted from coaching part-way through the sessions you’ve paid for, you can either:

Focus on something else
‘Bank’ your remainder sessions for up to six (6) months from the date of your last session

If the first session of the Agreement has taken place, the refund policy in effect for the term of this Agreement is as follows:

If the Coach feels coaching is no longer suitable: if, during the course of Coaching, the Coach feels the Client would be better served by therapy, or another coach, the Coach may cancel and refund for any sessions not completed. Where possible, the Coach will attempt to refer you to another coach.
If the Coach is unable to continue the sessions due to unexpected circumstances, a full refund of remaining sessions will be given. Where possible, the Coach will attempt to refer you to another coach.
The Client feels coaching is no longer suitable: if, during the course of Coaching, the Client feels the Coach-Client relationship is not working, the Client will arrange a time to speak with the Coach (outside of the Agreement), a refund of up to 50% of the remaining sessions may be given.
If there are extenuating circumstances outside of the Client’s control - such as serious illness or bereavement of a close family member, partner or friend - outside of the six (6) month ‘bank’, a refund of up to 50% of the remaining sessions may be given.

The Client agrees to compensate the Coach for all coaching sessions that have taken place before the Agreement is cancelled. The Coach agrees to refund any sessions paid for that would take place after the Agreement is cancelled.

The Coach-Client Relationship

The Coach agrees to maintain the ethics and standards of behaviour established by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in their Code of Ethics. It is recommended that the Client review the ICF Code of Ethics and the applicable standards of behaviour.

The Client is solely responsible for their own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results arising out of or resulting from coaching sessions and interactions with the Coach. 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. The Client understands coaching is not therapy and does not substitute for therapy if needed, and does not prevent, cure, or treat any mental disorder or medical disease.
The Client further acknowledges that they may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time (see Termination of Agreement).
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. 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.
The Client acknowledges that coaching:

Does not involve the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders as defined by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD),
That coaching is not to be used as a substitute for counselling, 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.

Some UK-based sources of further help are available on my website.

If Client is currently under the care of a mental health professional, it is recommended that the Client inform the mental health care provider of the nature and extent of the coaching relationship agreed upon by the Client and the Coach.

The Client agrees to communicate honestly, be open to feedback challenge and assistance, and to create the time and energy to participate fully in coaching.
The Client and Coach understands that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, both parties must commit to the times agreed upon, or give reasonable notice to reschedule, or are running late.

Confidentiality

This coaching relationship, as well as all information (documented or verbal) the Client shares with the Coach, is bound by the principles of confidentiality set out in the ICF Code of Ethics.

Please note: the Coach-Client relationship is not considered a legally confidential relationship (like the medical and legal professions), and so 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, unless legally required to. The Coach will not disclose the Client’s name as a reference without the Client’s consent.

According to the ethics of our profession, topics may be anonymously and hypothetically shared with other coaching professionals for training, supervision, mentoring, evaluation, and for coach professional development and/or consultation purposes.

Confidential Information does not include information that:

was in the Coach’s possession prior to its being furnished by the Client;
is generally known to the public or in the Client’s industry;
is obtained by the Coach from a third party, without breach of any obligation to the Client;
is independently developed by the Coach without use of or reference to the Client’s confidential information;
the Coach is required by statute, lawfully issued subpoena, or by court order to disclose;
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; or
involves illegal activity.

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

Release of your Information

The Coach engages in training and continuing education pursuing and/or maintaining ICF (International Coaching Federation) Credentials. That process requires the Coach to keep a record of their coaching hours for each client. The coaching log includes the name, email address, and start and finish dates of my sessions with clients.

Should the Coach be audited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), they may want to see the Coach’s coaching log, and potentially contact clients to confirm their coaching hours.

By signing the Coaching Agreement, you agree that your name, contact information and start and end dates of coaching may be shared with ICF staff members and/or other parties involved in this process for the sole and necessary purpose of verifying the coaching relationship. No personal notes will be shared.

Please inform the Coach if you do not wish to be contacted for this purpose.

Record Retention Policy

Client records will be maintained by the Coach, either in print or digitally/electronically for a period of not less than seven (7) years. Any payment information will be stored according to the UK’s legal requirements for HMRC.

See the Coach’s Privacy Policy for how they use, store and handle your data, and what happens in the case of third-party data transfers. See the Coach's AI Usage Disclosure for how they use AI.

Limited Liability

The Coach makes no guarantees about the success of coaching. The Coach shall not 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 through and including the termination date.

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 after notice given.

If the dispute is not resolved, and in the event of legal action, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover legal fees and court costs from the other party.

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.

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.

Applicable Law

This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the United Kingdom (UK) Law, without giving effect to any conflicts of laws provisions.

This Agreement was last updated: 3rd April 2025