Overview

This Coaching Services Agreement is designed to provide clear information about the coaching services, policies, and practices of the office of Dr. Deb Berman (PrideMinistry, DBA Dr. Deb Berman) so you can make an informed decision about working with me going forward. By signing this document, you confirm that you understand and agree to the terms outlined here and provide informed consent to receive coaching services from Dr. Deb Berman, or another coach affiliated with the practice, a legal and registered coaching entity of the Netherlands. This coaching practice offers in-person sessions and virtual services worldwide. Please take your time to review this agreement, and please reach out to Dr. Deb Berman directly with any questions you have before signing.

Nature of Coaching Services

Coaching is a collaborative process focused on your future goals and personal growth. Together with your coach you will work to identify your strengths, clarify your goals, and create actionable steps toward meaningful change in your life.

Coaching is a professional relationship and a goal-focused process where a coach helps clients identify and achieve personal, relationship, life, and/or professional goals by providing guidance, support, and accountability. Sessions focus on future outcomes, empowering clients to tap into their potential and navigate life transitions.

The coaching process may sometimes bring up emotions such as vulnerability or discomfort, grief, sadness, and more, which are natural parts of growth.

Although Dr. Deb is a licensed psychotherapist in the State of New York (in the United States of America), all services provided through this coaching practice (PrideMinistry DBA Dr. Deb Berman) are exclusively coaching services and clients will refer to Dr. Deb Berman as their coach, not as their therapist or psychotherapist. This means that neither Dr. Deb Berman nor anyone else at the coaching practice will give you a diagnoses or treat mental health conditions and if you feel you want to work with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist instead of or adjacent to coaching sessions, we encourage you to follow your wisdom and explore those outside avenues.

That said, many clients come to coaching who have already existing mental health diagnoses from other practitioners and clients are welcome and encouraged to share that information with their coach here as to more fully inform the coach of your personal history. The practice also does not give medical diagnoses to coaching clients, but we do invite people who have disabilities, illnesses, or are going through health, medical, or mental health issues, past and present, to share that information here at the practice as part of personal history so that we may be informed of your life experience and support you in that.

Length and Frequency of Sessions

Session Frequency, Length and Format

Standard individual and relationship coaching sessions are 50 minutes and may be held by phone, video, or in person. If you would like a longer session—such as a double session or a half-day intensive especially for relationship work—this can be arranged with advance notice. Please note that extended sessions are subject to an additional fee.

The frequency and duration of your coaching journey will be collaboratively determined by you and your coach. Some clients choose to focus intensively on a specific issue over a shorter period (for example, meeting 2–3 times per week for 12 weeks). Others prefer a more gradual pace, meeting weekly, biweekly, or monthly. You are welcome to schedule a single session, a short series of sessions, or engage in ongoing coaching.

To support continuity and reduce overall cost, the practice offers an optional package of 8 sessions for the price of 7. You can ask your coach at the practice about that option.

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Cancellation & Rescheduling

There is a strict 48-hour cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or reschedule or miss a session, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice. When less notice is given, the will make every effort to reschedule within the same week, and you will only be charged once the rescheduled session takes place. If we cannot find a mutually agreeable time that week, the missed session will be charged for the missed session in full.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand Cancelllation & Rescheduling*

Telecoaching Consent

Coaching sessions can be held in person, over the phone, or via secure video conferencing. By signing this agreement, you consent to these forms of communication while acknowledging that, although I take every reasonable measure to protect your privacy, no electronic platform is completely secure. You are responsible for ensuring your own privacy and using a secure internet connection.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand Telecoaching Consent*

After Hours and Emergencies

Dr. Deb Berman, staff, interns, and consultants are available by email and Whatsapp or phone for scheduling and professional matters related to coaching. While Dr. Deb Berman strives to respond in a timely manner, she is not available 24/7. This coaching practice is not equipped or staffed to provide crisis intervention or urgent care of any kind. By entering into this agreement, you acknowledge and agree that if you are experiencing a crisis of any kind that requires immediate intervention or are having a medical or mental health emergency, you agree to immediately contact your local emergency services, your healthcare provider, or other appropriate resources.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand After Hours and Emergencies*

Fees & Billing

Fees for coaching services are agreed upon before we begin our work together. Payment is due at the time of each session unless we’ve made other arrangements in writing. I raise my rates annually and clients are notified in advance of any changes. You are responsible for all fees, regardless of attendance or perceived outcomes.

Coaching services are not covered by health insurance. However, you will be provided with a receipt indicating “Coaching Services,” which you may submit to your accountant. In some cases, coaching may be considered a professional or career-related expense, particularly if your work together is focused on career, workplace, or professional development concerns. Please consult your accountant or tax advisor to determine eligibility or discuss with your employer if they might offer reimbursement for sessions.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand Fees & Billing*

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the coaching relationship. Everything discussed in sessions will remain private and will not be shared without your written consent. Dr. Deb Berman and anyone affiliated with this practice are committed to protecting your privacy at all times. There are rare situations where disclosure is legally or ethically required on the part of the coach (PrideMinistry DBA Dr. Deb Berman). These situations include, but are not limited to, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult; risk of harm to yourself or others; mental decompensation or a medical emergency in which you require immediate help or intervention; or a valid court order requiring disclosure.

Please be advised that when you correspond with Dr. Deb Berman and the practice, staff, intern, or a consultant may be the ones to write back to you. There is a biller for the practice, administrative assistants, interns, a web host and designer and cyber security professional with access to incoming correspondences and forms through the website. They may have access to the names of my clients, contact information, and their online forms and registrations, payments, and my calendars and they are under strict contracts for non-disclosure. They will never have access to any session notes or content of your sessions and are helping the practice with technical and back-end administration only. They may occasionally need to contact you on my behalf for certain time-sensitive matters and business-related purposes and they will be covering the practice when your coach is away on vacation.

Additionally, as part of maintaining high professional standards, coaches at this practice may consult with peer professionals and practitioner support and education forums to ensure the highest quality of care. In these consultations, your name and any identifying details will never be disclosed, and your privacy will always be fully protected.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand Confidentiality*

Intellectual Property

All materials created by Dr. Deb Berman, including but not limited to handouts, worksheets, session content, videos, audio recordings, written materials, and any other resources provided during or in connection with coaching services, are and shall remain the sole intellectual property of Dr. Deb Berman, DMIn, LCW (PrideMinistry DBA as Dr. Deb Berman). Clients are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use these materials solely for their personal growth and educational purposes. Materials may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, published, shared, or used for commercial purposes, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Dr. Deb Berman. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of these materials is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand Intellectual Property*

Non-Recording Clause

Sessions may not be audio or video recorded nor the use of AI to document the content of sessions. The practice of Dr. Deb Berman is committed to the confidentiality of all clients. Unauthorized recording or sharing of session content by a client is not allowed.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand Non-Recording Clause*

Limitations of Liability

Neither Dr. Deb nor any coaches working at the practice make guarantees about outcomes. By signing this agreement, you release and hold harmless me, my practice, and any affiliated staff or contractors from liability, claims, or damages resulting from coaching services, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand Limitations of Liability*

Termination of Service

You are welcome to end coaching services at any time. Likewise, I may choose to end our work together if I believe it is no longer serving your needs or is otherwise not appropriate to continue. Should this occur, the office of Dr. Deb Berman / PrideMinistry make every effort to offer referrals or resources to support you in your next steps.

By entering my initials below, I agree that I have read and understand Termination of Services