Somatic Coaching: Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: November 14, 2024

By engaging in coaching services with Slow Works, you agree to the following terms and conditions in addition to our General Terms of Services.

1. Description of Somatic Coaching

Coaching is a partnership (defined as an alliance, not a legal business partnership) between the Coach and the Client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires the client to maximize personal and professional potential. It is designed to facilitate the creation/development of personal, professional, or business goals and to develop and carry out a strategy/plan for achieving those goals.

Somatic coaching is a body-oriented approach that emphasizes the integration of the mind and body. It involves various practices including physical movements, mindfulness, and emotional exploration. The aim is to enhance personal and professional development by tapping into the body's wisdom.

Somatic coaching draws from many different schools and offers effective tools that go beyond a conversation. Sometimes I might interrupt you if your body tells a different story than your words do, sometimes I might invite you to get up and move, make a shape or a sound, or talk to an object. Sometimes I might invite you to close your eyes and feel the sensations in your body.

We'll always start and end the session talking, and in-between we might have a quiet moment. Some sessions might include almost no somatic practices, while others might include a lot of them. At all times, you're in control of where we're going.

2. Our Coaching Alliance (Client-Coach Relationship)

Coaching Ethics

Coach agrees to maintain the ethics and standards of behavior established by the International Coach Federation "(ICF)" (Coachfederation.org/ethics). It is recommended that the Client review the ICF Code of Ethics and the applicable standards of behavior.

Responsibility and Liability

The client is responsible for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, decisions, and actions. The coach is not liable for any outcomes resulting from the coaching process.

Nature of Coaching

Coaching is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or psychiatric care. Clients should inform their healthcare providers about their coaching engagement.

You're in the Lead

I'm simply holding space for you to explore. If something doesn't feel right tell me, we'll explore something else or take a break. I will offer you different ideas to explore, but it's always up to you where we go and what we explore.

Bring an Experimental Attitude

Coaching is about embracing a growth mindset, and somatic coaching offers a lot of little "experiments" - short interventions that offer you a new perspective or a new way to sense into an idea or problem. Sometimes you'll learn a lot, sometimes it doesn't work. That's part of the game.

Working with the Unknown

Thinking about the future is always uncertain and accessing the intelligence of the body sometimes brings up emotions and stories that were hidden for a while. All of that can be exhilarating or uncomfortable, or both at once. That's ok. I'll hold a safe space for you to process what comes up.

Interrupting

Unlike a traditional coaching process, interruption is a normal part of Somatic Coaching. This is because I will be listening to the whole of you: I am interested in both your story (your words) and what your body is expressing as the storyteller (your non-verbal communication). Therefore, there are times when I may interrupt to see what your body is communicating in the present moment, as this may be interesting for us to follow.

Correcting

Sometimes I might use words that don't feel right. Maybe I didn't remember the exact words you used when I repeat something back to you, or I share an idea that feels off to you. Please correct me. Offering this sort of feedback helps us strengthen our coaching alliance, and finding the right words helps you to connect deeper with what is emerging.

After the Coaching is Before the Coaching Session

When the session ends, the work really begins. You're responsible for taking the steps we identified together. Sometimes that will feel easy, sometimes it'll feel really hard. Growth comes from trying something new.

What You Bring

All of you, as you are. Whatever feels right to you to bring to the session, bring that – thoughts, ideas, questions, notebooks. Whatever feels right to you to do or talk about in a session, do that! Bring your whole attention to the sessions; if half of you is somewhere else, we won't get far.

What I Bring

All of me, as I am. I'll bring 20 years of experience in tech, a decade of experience in tech education and corporate training, 6+ years of experience teaching yoga, and my life experience as a queer man living across different cultures. I'll keep expanding and updating my coaching education to make sure I have the best tools and experience to support you. I'll bring my whole attention to each session and an understanding and deep belief that you are inherently worthy and intelligent.

Confidentiality & Privacy

What happens in coaching stays in coaching. Your material is safe with me, I will not share it.

  1. I'm engaged in training and continuing education pursuing and/or maintaining ICF (International Coach Federation) Credentials. I will use your initials to log my coaching hours to maintain my coaching qualifications with the ICF. Sometimes the ICF requires coaches to verify their coaching relationships by submitting an extended coaching log including only name, contact information, and start and end dates of coaching. Should they require me to do so, only this specific information will 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.

  2. I will disclose information about our coaching relationship if the law explicitly requires me to do so (e.g. by court order, or for safeguarding purposes).

  3. 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.

  4. I'll ask for explicit permission if I want to use a session recording for my coaching supervision.

  5. I'll ask for explicit permission if I want to use your name, words, or other material that you knowingly shared with me (e.g. a testimonial video) in my marketing material. I will never use session recordings or information you shared in a session as marketing material.

3. Contractual Details

Services

Details of the coaching program, methods, duration, and communication outside scheduled sessions will be provided as part of the specific coaching package or engagement agreement.

Fees and Schedule

Coaching fees, payment schedules, and session details will be communicated prior to the commencement of the coaching services. Payment terms will be specified in your engagement agreement or initial correspondence.

Cancellations and Rescheduling

I require 24-hour notice for any canceled or rescheduled session. If you give me less than 24 hours notice, I will do my best to accommodate you, but you will be charged for any missed session due to late cancellation.

Emergency Circumstances: In cases of genuine emergency (serious illness, family crisis, etc.), we will work together to find a reasonable solution.

Termination

Either party may terminate or discontinue the coaching relationship at any time. If you have purchased a package of sessions, refunds for unused sessions may be provided on a case-by-case basis, minus any administrative fees.

Limited Liability

The coach's liability is limited to the amount paid by the client under the coaching agreement. The coach is not liable for any indirect, consequential, or special damages arising from the coaching relationship.

Data Protection

Your personal information will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at [slow.works/privacy]. Coaching notes and session materials are stored securely and kept confidential as described in this document.

Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution

This agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales. Disputes will be resolved through mediation, and if unsuccessful, submitted to the jurisdiction of the English courts.

Acknowledgment and Agreement

By completing the coaching agreement form and/or engaging in coaching sessions, you acknowledge your understanding and acceptance of these terms and conditions.

If you have any questions about these terms, please contact us at dpo@slow.works before proceeding with coaching services.

Slow Works Ltd
Flat 41 The Spectrum Buildings
East Road
London
N1 6FB
United Kingdom

Company Registration Number: 11909477