DISCLOSURE and DISCLAIMER : 
COACHING IS NOT COUNSELING/PSYCHOTHERAPY

THE WORK WE DO IS NOT THERAPY/PSYCHOTHERAPY OR COUNSELING, THIS IS A SUPPORTIVE COACHING PROGRAM BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES IN THE BOOK NO MORE MR. NICE GUY BY ROBERT GLOVER.

Even though I am a licensed mental health provider in the state of Oregon, the work I do with No More Mr. Nice Guy is teaching and coaching, and in no way a substitute for counseling or therapy.

Because there is a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about what constitutes coaching vs. psychotherapy/counseling I want to make sure you understand the concept of coaching so that you are clear on what to expect from our time together.

First off, psychotherapy is based on a medical model. Psychotherapy requires a mental illness diagnosis. Psychotherapy focuses on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness and nervous disorders. The goals of psychotherapy include alleviating symptoms, understanding the underlying dynamics which create symptoms, changing dysfunctional behaviors which are the result of these disorders, and developing new strategies for successfully coping with the psychological challenges which we all face. Psychotherapy patients are often emotionally vulnerable. This vulnerability is increased by the expectation that they will discuss very intimate personal data and expose feelings about themselves about which they are understandably sensitive. The past life experiences of psychotherapy patients have often made trust difficult to achieve. These factors give psychotherapists greatly disproportionate power that creates a fiduciary responsibility to protect the safety of their clients and to “above all else, do no harm.”

 While there are some similarities between coaching and psychotherapy, they are very different activities and it is important that you understand the differences between them. Psychotherapy is a health care service and is usually reimbursable through health insurance policies.  This is not true for coaching. Both coaching and psychotherapy utilize knowledge of human behavior, motivation and behavioral change, and interactive counseling techniques.  The relationship between the coach and client is specifically designed to avoid the power differentials that occur in the psychotherapy relationship. You can count on me as your coach, to be honest, and straightforward, asking powerful questions and using challenging techniques to move you forward.  You are expected to evaluate progress and when coaching is not working as you wish, you should immediately inform me so we can both take steps to correct the problem.

Additionally, the focus of coaching is the development and implementation of strategies to reach client-identified goals of enhanced performance and personal satisfaction.  Coaching may address specific personal projects, life balance, job performance, satisfaction, or general conditions in the client’s life, business, or profession. Coaching utilizes personal strategic planning, values clarification, brainstorming, motivational counseling, and other counseling techniques

Because of these differences, the roles of coach and psychotherapist are often in potential conflict and I believe that, under most circumstances, it is ethically inappropriate for one to play both roles with a client, whether concurrently or sequentially.  Positive change is difficult enough without having to worry about role confusion. This means that if either of us recognizes that you have a problem that would benefit from psychotherapeutic intervention, I will refer you to appropriate resources. In some situations, I may insist that you initiate psychotherapy and that I have access to your psychotherapist as a condition of my continuing as your coach.

 It is also important to understand that coaching is a professional relationship. While it may often feel like a close personal relationship, it is not one that can extend beyond professional boundaries both during and after our work together.  Considerable experience shows that when boundaries blur, the hard-won benefits gained from the coaching relationship are endangered.

 IMPORTANT: Because our work together is not a medical treatment, our time together is NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE nor is the fee you pay reimbursable by your insurance provider or HSA.

Coaching is teaching not therapy: Much like a professional tutor, when I work with someone as a coach for No More Mr. Nice Guy, I use specific materials developed by Dr. Robert Glover. The goal of coaching is to deliver information that can be useful for the individual to create a more satisfying life. When I coach, I will not work with anyone who I feel may have a mental disorder. If I suspect a mental disorder or illness, I will immediately stop our coaching and refer that individual to a therapist in their area.

As such, we are entering into an agreement that I will provide coaching and teach specifically to No More Mr. Nice Guy materials, and in return, you are expected to pay my fee for teaching and to coach you through the No More Mr. Nice Guy materials. In this way, I am much like a professional tutor.

This consent intends to provide a clear framework for our work together. Please feel free to discuss any of this with me.

AGREEMENT

Purpose of This Agreement To establish a coaching relationship between Chuck Chapman, Certified No More Mr. Nice Guy Coach, and you Coaching Client as addressed at the top of this agreement.

No Guarantees

Neither results nor success can be guaranteed. Only you have the power to create these – I am here to hold space for you in your emerging power. There are no refunds for unused sessions.

Cancelation, rescheduling, and refunds: You can cancel our coaching partnerships at any time. Simply let me know via email or phone that you would like to no longer receive coaching sessions.

Disclaimer

Non-Provision of Mental Health Services Although I am a licensed mental health professional I am not providing any mental health services. If any issue arises for you that should be handled by a licensed therapist, counselor, or another mental health professional in your area. You will attend to your mental health by contacting an appropriate professional.

Confidentiality

I agree to not share anything private about you that comes up in the coaching with anyone outside of the coaching relationship without your express permission. I ask for the same in return: I will share personal things with you, and ask that you not share these things unless you ask me first.

Additionally, because of the nature of the internet, there is no guarantee that anything you say or post, or say during is secure. I do my best to keep things as confidential as possible, however, be advised that this is not a secure site nor does this fit within HIPAA guidelines. All members are asked to keep anything said confidential however this is only as good as those who choose to honor their commitment.

Serving Your Highest Good

I am here to challenge you, engage you, laugh with you, and celebrate you. I aim to serve your highest good 100% of the time, with unflinching honesty and straightforwardness. This includes initiating the hard conversations that you may not enjoy or feel ready for. I will always do my best in engaging with and supporting you. I will bring my highest energy vibration into the coaching space we share, and will care for myself physically, spiritually, and psychologically to maximize my effectiveness as a coach.

ANY PAYMENT TO ME FOR NICE GUY COACHING IMPLIES THat you have read and agree with this disclosure and disclaimer.