Coaching vs. Counseling Relationship:

In addition to being a Coach, I am also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Idaho.  As a LMHC and LCPC I have training and experience to treat mental health disorders. However, it is important to understand that in my role as a “Coach”, I will not be working with you as a counselor, I will not be giving medical or psychological advice.

The focus of counseling is identification and treatment of mental health disorders. To alleviate symptoms, understand the underlying dynamics which create symptoms, change maladaptive behaviors which are the result of these disorders, and develop strategies for coping with the psychological challenges. Due to sensitivities and vulnerabilities for the client in the counseling relationship there is an inherent power differential, where the counselor is bound to act in the best interest of the client, to protect the safety of the client.

However, the relationship between the coach and client is specifically designed to avoid the power differentials that occur in the counseling relationship. You as the “client”, will set the agenda and identify goals that you want to work towards. This is YOUR journey, and the success in reaching your goals depends on your willingness to take risks and try new approaches. You can count on me as your coach to be your ally, to be honest and straightforward, asking powerful questions and using techniques to move you forward. I will be with and beside you in your journey, asking you what’s best for you. You are the expert of yourself. You are expected to continually assess your progress and if coaching is not working as you wish, immediately inform me so together we can both take steps to correct any concerns you may have.

While there are some similarities between coaching and counseling, they are very different activities, and it is important that you understand the differences between them. Counseling is a health care service and is usually reimbursable through health insurance policies. This is not true for coaching. Yes, both coaching and counseling utilize knowledge of human behavior, motivation and behavioral change, and interactive helping techniques. The major differences are in the goals, focus, and level of professional responsibility.

The focus of coaching is development and implementation of strategies to reach your identified goals of enhanced performance and/or personal satisfaction. Coaching can address specific personal projects, personal resilience, life balance, job performance and satisfaction, or general conditions in your life or profession. Coaching utilizes personal strategic planning, values clarification, brainstorming, motivational techniques, and other helping techniques.

Because of these differences, the roles of coach and counselor are often in potential conflict, and I believe that 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 counseling and that I have access to your counselor 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.

**It is important to note that there is no state licensing requirement for Coaching. However, as a professional, I believe it is important to receive specific training and education for the services offered. Therefore, I have participated in various training programs for life coaching training/education through Life Coach Training Institute and am working my way to becoming a Board-Certified Coach through Center for Credentialing Education.

See Privacy Policy for Confidentiality and Limitations information.

Terms of Coaching:

I invite you to think of coaching as a process that can help you create the change you are hoping for. Sometimes change can happen in a short time. However, to refine and sustain change may take several months.  Although not binding, I would ask that you expect our coaching relationship to last at least 3-4 months, if not longer depending on your personalized support needs.  You may find that where we start in initial identified goals and action may change directions during this process, due to many life reasons. This is absolutely ok, just be patient, open and curious about what can be.

Fees and services:

The support I offer are in-person/online and phone coaching sessions designed jointly with you, for you. There is an initial free 30-minute telephone conversation to find out if we feel we are suited to work with each other. The coaching commitment is flexible and can be from a single hour to a monthly retainer. The fee is $150 per hour for in-person/online coaching session and $75 per 30–45-minute phone session. Coaching sessions are usually conducted by both in-person/online. I welcome brief e-mails, and texts between sessions during business hours and will often send out resources that support your development.

You have 2 months, 3 months, 4 months of the date of purchase, to utilize your sessions (unless otherwise discussed and put in writing). This gives you 2 months to utilize your 4 sessions, 3 months to utilize your 6 sessions and 4 months to utilize your 8 sessions. This allows for flexibility on your journey.  Some people may need weekly sessions others may need biweekly sessions it all depends on your goals, motivation, and progress. 

Fees for coaching sessions must be paid in advance by check or credit card through Venmo/Stripe by the first day of service provided unless an alternative arrangement is agreed to in writing. Services not paid for in advance will not be provided.

Scheduling:

 We will schedule an initial in-person session and depending on your support needs we can meet weekly, bi-weekly with phone call check-ins as needed.

Cancelations and No Shows:

 If you need to reschedule our appointment, please give 24 hours’ notice.  If you have an emergency or illness, you can reschedule with less than 24 hours’ notice.  If you do not show up for a scheduled call or in-person appointment, for any reason, and provide no notice (latest notice can be five minutes past scheduled session start time), we will not make up that time and you will lose this session.  If I need to reschedule, I will give you at least 24 hours’ notice as well, barring an emergency or illness. 

Procedure:

 You will attend the in-person session or call me at the specified time unless we make other arrangements. You will be given a session preparation form to complete and email me preferably 24 hours prior to sessions. This form helps give us direction for our time together, to help stay focused on your goal.

Between sessions:

You may call or email me between our regular scheduled calls if you need a sounding board, have a concern or can’t wait to share a success. I just ask that we keep the impromptu calls to 5-10 minute in duration. Email me any time at Kristina@harmonyandresilience.org, or text me at 509-710-8626. If you reach my voicemail, please leave a message, let me know if a return call is required and a few times that would be best for me to call. I will return calls and emails as soon as possible during my business hours 10am-4pm.

 **If you need additional time and would like to add an extra phone call or in-person session you may do so at and additional agreed upon rate.

Problems/Concerns:

 If I ever say or do anything that upsets you or doesn't feel right, please bring it to my attention so that we can resolve it as soon as possible.  My objective is to have a coaching relationship that is fully open, honest, real and trusting in our communication styles.  We should both realize that communication via telephone or email entails extra challenges since we cannot see body language, facial expressions, etc.  Therefore, we give each other plenty of latitude and grace, and promptly ask for clarification if there is a misunderstanding or miscommunication.

Conflict of interest:

 If a conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of interest should appear, per the BCC code of ethics, Coach has the right to remove self from the engagement immediately.

Refund Policy:

 I will offer a one-time refund by the 2nd coaching session, if you are not completely satisfied with the services provided. Your first month’s payment will be refunded (less any merchant fees) in full within 3 days of receipt of written cancellation notice from you.

Contract, Cancellation, Termination & Liability:

Initial agreements are for 2,3, or 4 months depending on the packet you choose. However, this coaching agreement is month to month and either party may terminate this coaching agreement with a 2-week prior notice. Coach and client agree to operate in full integrity and communicate clearly about any change in the coaching relationship. The 2-week notice allows coach and client to review and completed any pending work, designed a future for client’s success, provide additional resources and fully acknowledge client’s progress. The coaching engagement closure experience is powerful, energizing and validating and will serve client well. If you decide that you would like to take a leave of absence or discontinue coaching, this agreement will terminate. If you decide to return to coaching at a later date, a new coaching agreement will be required and the standard rate in effect at the time will be applicable.

No Guarantees or Warranties:

 Except as expressly provided in this agreement, the Coach makes no guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied. As Such, Clients agrees that Coach is not and will not be liable for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services proved by the Coach. In no event will the Coach be liable to the Client for consequential or special damages. Notwithstanding any damages that the Client my incur, the Coach’s entire liability under this agreement, and the Clients’ exclusive remedy, will be limited to the amount paid by the client to the coach under this agreement for all services rendered up until the termination date. Clients understands that coach’s past performance working with clients in no guarantee of future performance.