General Information (done)

The coaching relationship is unique in that it is a highly personal and at the same time, a contractual agreement. Given this, it is important for us to reach a clear understanding of how our relationship will work, and what each of us can expect. This document will provide a clear framework for our work together. Feel free to discuss any item within this document with your coach. Please read and indicate that you have reviewed this information and agree to it by filling in the checkbox at the end of this document.

Coaching /vs/ Counseling (done)

At Rally Point, we offer a variety of services relating to mental health and support. Understanding the difference between these services, and in particular, the difference between counseling and coaching, is critical. Both counseling and coaching offer valuable support, but they differ in their approaches, goals, and scope of practice.

Counseling: Counseling is a therapeutic process that focuses on addressing mental health concerns, emotional well-being, and personal growth. It is conducted by licensed professionals acting in a professional capacity, such as counselors or therapists, who are trained in psychology or related fields. Counseling aims to alleviate distress, improve mental health, promote self-awareness, and enhance coping skills. It is commonly used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and personal development. The counseling process often involves assessment, diagnosis, and the application of evidence-based therapeutic techniques. 

Coaching:  Coaching is a collaborative process that emphasizes personal and professional development, goal-setting, and achievement. Coaches provide guidance, support, and accountability to help clients clarify their goals, identify obstacles, and create action plans. While coaching may touch upon personal and emotional aspects, it primarily focuses on enhancing performance, building skills, and achieving specific outcomes. Coaches are not typically licensed mental health professionals but possess expertise in specific coaching methodologies and domains. Coaches who are licensed mental health professionals take great care that they are not operating within their professional capacity as a counselor/therapist, and that advice or plans provided during the course of coaching are not confused with clinical treatment.

By checking the box below, you agree that you have been informed about the distinction between counseling and coaching and that you understand the nature and goals of the services you will receive within the coaching relationship.

Please note that clients are encouraged to engage in an open dialogue with their coach to discuss any questions or concerns regarding the distinctions between counseling and coaching, as well as to determine the most suitable approach for their specific needs.

The Coaching Relationship (done)

You are solely responsible for creating and implementing his/her own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship and his/her coaching calls and interactions with your coach. As such, you agree that your 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 your coach. You understand 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. 

You acknowledge that coaching is a comprehensive process that may involve different areas of your life, including work, finances, health, relationships, education and recreation. You agree that deciding how to handle these issues, incorporating coaching principles into those areas and implementing choices is exclusively your responsibility. 

You understand that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, you agree to communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance and to create the time and energy to participate fully in the program.

Non-Discrimination (done)

Rally Point follows the NASW Code of Ethics, and believes in providing equitable care without discrimination or harassment for any reason. This includes; race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, mental or physical ability or other non-medically relevant factor or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.

Confidentiality (done)

Protecting your confidentiality is important at Rally Point. As a part of your intake paperwork, you will be given a copy of Rally Point’s Notice of Privacy Practices for Coaching Services - which document contains full details about how your privacy is managed and exceptions to confidentiality in your relationship with Rally Point.

Below is a summary of some of these exceptions or limitations to confidentiality that you should be aware of. 

• Situations where you pose a threat of serious harm to yourself or someone else

• Suspected abuse or neglect of a minor, elder, or vulnerable adult

• Court-ordered situations

In order to provide the best treatment for you, occasionally coaches may choose to consult with other professionals, including (but not limited to) Rally Point counselors or coaches. In these contexts, every effort will be made to protect your confidentiality. 

Minors

For parents who are divorced or who share legal guardianship, Rally Point requires consent from both parents in order to engage in coaching services. If custody is shared, court documentation showing custody status is required on file. Should custodial issues change while a minor is in coaching, parents or legal guardians are required to inform Rally Point of changes within 7 days of the change, and provide copies of updated records.

Adults who are dropping off a minor for a session with a coach acknowledge that Rally Point is not responsible for the supervision or care of a minor following the scheduled session time. Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging transportation for minor clients immediately following the end of session time.

Limits of Coaching Relationship

In order to protect the unique nature of the relationship between you and your coach, it is important to limit your interactions outside of the coaching setting. There may be times when there is crossover outside of the coaching setting (in public, via social media, business, or community relationships), and in these instances your coach will keep the nature of your relationship with Rally Point private. 

Fees

What you pay for coaching varies based on Rally Point’s sliding scale. You will be asked to provide an estimate of your total annual household income when your session is booked - and will be given a rate that corresponds to our sliding scale.

Fees for sessions start at $210/intake and $190/standard session - and are adjusted based on the estimate of your annual income. These rates are general - and our team would love to help find a solution that works for you. Some employers or local partners may have a program that will cover a portion of your fees - if that’s the case, we’re happy to work with them to discuss a partnership rate. All discounted fees must be arranged with our team prior to the first session.

Billing

All billing and documentation details can be found within our secure client portal. Rally Point accepts cash, check, or credit card, and payment is expected at the time of appointment. If you prefer, automatic billing can be set up on the day of your choosing. Inside the portal, you can manage statements, add billing details, and see documentation related to your experience with Rally Point.

Late Cancellations and No-Shows

You are financially responsible for the time you have reserved with a coach. This is necessary because a time commitment is made to you and is held exclusively for you. Should you arrive late to a session, you may lose some of your scheduled session time, and you may be required to pay the difference between the insurance rate for a shortened session and the rate for the full scheduled session. If you need to cancel a session, you must do so at least 24 hours in advance of the session start time, or you will be charged a late cancellation fee. Fees for late cancellations and no-shows are $50 for the first offense, $85 for the second, $190 for three or more.

Electronic Communication

Rally Point Coaches and administrative staff use email communication and text messaging (electronic communication) only with your permission and only for administrative purposes unless they have made another agreement with you. That means that email exchanges and text messages with your counselor should be limited to things like setting and changing appointments, billing matters and other related issues. Please do not email your coach or Rally Point staff about sensitive matters because email is not a secure communication method. By signing below you indicate your understanding of the risks associated with electronic communication and agree to allow Rally Point coaches and staff to contact you for administrative purposes via these channels. Additionally, you understand that Rally Point coaches are not on call, and do not respond to electronic communication immediately.

Social Media

In order to protect your privacy and honor the nature of your relationship, Rally Point coaches will not intentionally communicate or interact with you on social networking websites. Rally Point coaches may participate on various social networks, but not in a professional capacity. If you have an online presence, there is a possibility that you may encounter your coach. If that occurs, please discuss it with them during a session together. Communicating with your coach online has a high potential to compromise the confidentiality of your relationship, and coaches will not respond to communication in these spaces. Additionally, Rally Point coaches will not respond to messages on any social networking platform.

Court Related Services

Rally Point and Rally Point coaches do not participate in lawsuits of any type on a plaintiff’s behalf, unless compelled to do so by subpoena or court order. If you become involved in legal proceedings that require participation, you will be expected to pay for all professional time, including preparation, deposition, telephone time, transportation costs, court appearance, report writing, consultation and supervision, even if a representative from Rally Point is called to testify by another party.

Because of the complexity of legal involvement, any court appearance or telephone contact with the court during a court case regarding you or your family members in a civil or criminal matter will be charged at $2500.00 per day, paid two weeks in advance and non-refundable. Travel time will be billed at an hourly rate of $175.00 per hour, plus mileage portal to portal. Depositions will be charged at $175.00 per hour plus travel time, wait time, and transportation costs. In the events that records or other materials are subpoenaed, a charge of 50 cents per page will be made for copying and file preparation. You will also be charged for any costs incurred by Rally Point responding to attorneys in your case, including but not limited to fees we are charged for legal consultation and representation by Rally Point’s attorneys.

Consent for Virtual Services

Rally Point offers virtual coaching sessions which offer the potential benefits of easier access to care and the convenience of meeting from a location of your choosing. This can be helpful in ensuring continuity of care if you or your counselor moves to a different location, takes an extended vacation, or is otherwise unable to continue to meet in person.

By signing below, you understand there are some differences between in-person coaching and virtual services, as well as some risks. Some examples include;

• Risks to confidentiality (Rally Point conducts virtual sessions using a secure system, but with any virtual service, there is a chance others can overhear sessions if you are not in a private place.),

• Issues related to technology (connection issues or technical difficulties - in this case, your coach will first attempt to re-engage in the video session. Should video failure continue after 5 minutes, your coach will call you at the phone number you have provided.),

• Crisis management and intervention (Rally Point does not engage in virtual services with clients who are currently in a crisis situation requiring high levels of support and intervention and reserves the right to seek appropriate intervention on your behalf if necessary.)

Termination & Transfer Plans

Ending relationships can be difficult. Therefore, it is important to have a termination process in order to achieve some closure. The appropriate length of the termination depends on the length and intensity of the treatment. Rally Point may terminate treatment after appropriate discussion with you and begin a termination process if Rally Point determines that coaching is not being effectively used or if you are in default on payment.

Rally Point will not terminate the coaching relationship without first discussing and exploring the reasons and purpose of terminating. If coaching is terminated for any reason - or you request another coach, Rally Point will provide you with a list of qualified coaches to work with you. You may also choose someone on your own or from another referral source.

Should you fail to schedule an appointment for three consecutive weeks, unless other arrangements have been made in advance, for legal and ethical reasons, Rally Point will consider the professional relationship discontinued.

In the event of incapacitation, death, or termination of a coach’s work at Rally Point during your care, your records will remain in our possession and a new coach will be made available to you. If you desire to transfer care outside of our practice, you may sign a release of records and we will release a standard extract from your file containing the initial intake and most recent progress notes. It is Rally Point’s standard policy to release records directly to another provider. Any variance will be arranged by the designee.

Emergencies

Rally Point Coaches provide support and assistance during difficult moments and seasons, but do not specialize in emergency or crisis situations. Rally Point Coaches are not on call, and will not respond to emails, calls, or electronic communication immediately.

If you or someone you love is experiencing an emergency, please call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

If you struggle with suicidal ideation or are in the midst of other non-life-threatening situations, you can call 1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) at any time to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, or text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling (Crisis Text Line). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.

Acknowledgment

Acknowledging this document means you

• have read, understand, and agree to the above disclosures and policies;

• have had a chance to ask questions about anything in this document that is unclear;

• give consent for Rally Point staff to provide coaching services.

Effective Date Of This Notice

This notice went into effect on June 29, 2023

For Questions Contact:

Rally Point - hello@rallypointcounseling.com