Welcome to NOURISH!

I am so excited you’ve made the decision to work with me on your health journey. The work that you are about to embark on is life-changing and this is just the beginning of your transformation! I will be next to you every step of the way as you begin to create the sustainable healthy habits and develop a positive mindset and body image. Before we begin all the fun things, it is important we have a clear understanding of how we will work together. This Client Coaching Agreement represents our solid commitment to complete our work together. 

This agreement is made between Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields, and Client. 

The State of New York will govern all matters arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement.

SERVICES

You are hiring me to provide one-on-one, individualized nutrition coaching services to address the multi-layered facets of health and wellness. The details of your customized Coaching Plan are made a part of this Agreement. 

Some things to get started: 

KEEPING IN TOUCH

All clients and potential clients are added to my email list. This will keep you updated on any upcoming programs and workshops. Once you get your welcome email, be sure to add [email protected] to your accepted emails so you don’t miss anything! I will never send you spam or sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time. 

Also, bookmark the website bebetterwithbethany.com

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @bebetterwithbethany

I go live on Facebook often and would love to connect with you there! 

PROCOACH APP

Once you sign on as a client, you will get an invitation from me to join ProCoach. 

This app will serve as our data collection, messaging, an access point to additional resources, and our way to track your progress. 

You will have unlimited access to message me via the app or email for accountability and questions as often as you need. 

SCHEDULING COACHING

• You are responsible for scheduling your coaching sessions.
• To schedule your coaching calls, visit bebetterwithbethany.com/schedule and scroll down to the Calendly menu to select your option. 
• You will receive email and text reminders from Calendly with the Zoom link to log into your session. 

EXPECTATIONS AS A CLIENT

• Please arrive to your meetings on time, prepared, in a private, quiet place you feel free from distractions and are able to take notes. 
• Please allow 24 hours if you need to reschedule coaching. 
• Please schedule your coaching sessions at least 24 hours in advance. 
• Please use your ProCoach app for tracking your practices daily. 
• Complete any assessment forms prior to coaching sessions. 
• You may message or email as often as needed throughout the day for accountability and support; however, I check email at set points during the day, so sometimes you may have to wait a few hours for a response, but I will respond quicky as soon as I check. 
• Please be open with your health care team to let them know you are receiving nutrition coaching. As a board certified health and wellness coach, I am not licensed to treat or diagnose medical or psychological conditions, prescribe specific meal plans, etc., but I can work as a support to you within your specific needs (dietary restrictions, diabetes, bariatric patients, athletic training, etc.). 
• As I am not a licensed medical professional, I am not liable for treating or diagnosing any medical concerns and it is your responsibility to report any issues regarding your health care to your physician or others on your medical team.

EXPECTATIONS OF ME AS A COACH

• I will be punctual, prepared, professional, and present during your coaching calls. 
• I will let you know as far in advance as possible if I need to reschedule a coaching call for any reason (this is very rare). 
• I will listen, provide a caring and nurturing coaching atmosphere, and support you along your health journey. 
• I will provide confidentiality during our sessions. I am the only person with the ability to access your files and paperwork. 
• I will respond to all your questions and concerns via email and messaging as quickly as possible within 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST Monday-Friday. I may respond outside of those hours, but it is not required.
• I am committed to your success and continue my education and professional development in health coaching so I can provide you with an individualized transformational experience. 

THE COACHING PROCESS

• At least 24 hours prior to your first scheduled coaching session, you will complete your new client intake questionnaire on ProCoach. Your first coaching session will be a 50-minute kickoff meeting. During this session, we will discuss your health history, current nutrition, and lifestyle factors as well as your nutrition and wellness goals. For this session to be effective, your intake form must be completed in advance. 
• At the end of each session, we will discuss a proposed plan and action steps that will be your focus until your next session. 
• Follow up with me via email and messaging between coaching sessions for support and accountability as needed. Prepare any questions or concerns to be discussed prior to coaching sessions. 
• I am committed to making each session meaningful and productive. I ask you to take responsibility for creating value and results for yourself by completing questionnaires and other assessment material on a timely basis. We are working together as a team and it is up to you to put forth effort and apply what you have learned. 

COMMUNICATION

Please feel free to contact me between scheduled sessions for simple questions and accountability check ins. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or via ProCoach messaging. I respond to messages between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST Monday-Friday. I may respond outside of these hours, but it is not required. 

INSURANCE

Be Better with Bethany is a fee-for-service provider and does not accept insurance at this time.

FEE AND PAYMENT POLICY

• You agree to the designated fees detailed in your Coaching Plan at the time of Agreement. Payment must be made in advance of services unless other arrangements have been made. 
• I accept payment through PayPal and Stripe via my website. 
• The first two months are nonrefundable so you can commit to building sustainable habits. These fees cannot be refunded or exchanged at any time. After the first two months, if you decide nutrition coaching is not a good fit, you will be refunded a prorated amount. 

CANCELLATIONS

• If you need to reschedule/cancel your coaching session, please do so by email or ProCoach messaging 24 hours in advance. If you do not reschedule or cancel within the 24 hour period, you forfeit your session. Should I ever have to cancel within 24 hours of your coaching session, I will reschedule your session promptly. 
• I understand that not everyone is ready to commit to a lifestyle change, but for the consideration of others, please do not wait until the last minute if canceling your appointment. Please understand that my time is very much in demand; I set aside a time especially for you and do not overbook or take on more clients than my schedule permits. I am committed to providing the best services and coaching to all of my clients. When pre-paying for a package, that commitment is shared by both of us. Please plan accordingly. 

REFUNDS

As stated above, the first two months are nonrefundable so you can commit to building sustainable habits. These fees cannot be refunded or exchanged at any time. After the first two months, if you decide nutrition coaching is not a good fit, you will be refunded a prorated amount. 

INACTIVITY

As a coach, I will do my best to check in on you if I notice inactivity to see how I can help you. If you choose to not reply and inactivity continues for any reason, I am not held liable for your payments for unused services. That is your responsibility. If there happens to be a waiting list for new clients and you have remained inactive for 60 days, as well as not replying to my follow-up emails, I reserve the right to cancel your coaching at my discretion. 

CONFIDENTIALITY

As part of nutrition coaching services, you may be asked to provide information concerning your physical habits, medical history, moods, energy levels, likes and dislikes, lifestyle, and food intake. I will hold this information in confidence and will not release or disclose this information outside of the practice of Be Better with Bethany without your prior consent, except as required by applicable law. Your verbal or written approval may be requested to highlight you on social media platforms and you can opt in or out at your own discretion. 

ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

As a coach, I will do my best to check in on you if I notice inactivity to see how I can help you. If you choose to not reply and inactivity continues for any reason, I am not held liable for your payments for unused services. That is your responsibility. If there happens to be a waiting list for new clients and you have remained inactive for 60 days, as well as not replying to my follow-up emails, I reserve the right to cancel your membership at my discretion. 

I consent to receive nutritional coaching services from Be Better with Bethany (the “Practice”) so that I can obtain information and guidance about health factors within my own control (nutrition and related behaviors) in order to nourish and support my health and wellness. Nutritional evaluation or assessments provided in coaching are not intended for the diagnosis of disease. Rather, these assessments function as a guide to developing an appropriate health-supportive program for me and to monitor my progress in achieving my goals.I agree to and understand the following:

1. The purpose of health coaching is to improve the overall health, vitality, and well-being of the body through nutritional education and support. Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields, does not diagnose diseases, disorders, or conditions.

2. The Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields, is not a Naturopathic Doctor or Medical Physician.

3. If the Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields, suspects the existence of disease, disorder or condition, I will be informed of this suspicion. However, I acknowledge this is not a diagnosis or conclusion about the state of my health and that I am directed to promptly consult a licensed Physician about any suspected problems.

4. Should I request the Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields, to recommend dietary changes and/or nutritional supplements to enhance my body’s natural ability to resist and/or overcome a known disease, disorder or condition, it is my responsibility to disclose the nature of the disease, disorder or condition and all other relevant details to the Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields. If I have not previously consulted a licensed Physician or Naturopath about this disease, disorder or condition, I acknowledge that I am directed to promptly do so. I am not to alter or discontinue treatments prescribed by a licensed Physician, Psychiatrist, or other licensed health professional without consulting the individual who prescribed the treatment.

5. In providing Health Coaching Services to me, the Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields, is relying upon the truth, accuracy and completeness of all information I have provided to her. Any recommendations I follow for changes in nutrition, including the use of nutritional supplements, are entirely my responsibility. 

6. Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields, is in no way liable for my health or safety.

7. In consideration of my participation in Health Coaching Services, I hereby accept all risk with regard to my health and well being, including illness, injury or death, that may result from such participation. I hereby release and hold harmless the Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields from any and all costs, claims, causes of action and damages, whether direct or indirect, arising from any and all illness or injury to my person, including my death, that may result from or occurs as a result of my participation in Health Coaching Services, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. 

8. I understand that any coaching or programs I participate in at Be Better with Bethany and any advice I adopt are undertaken of my own free will. I accept that the ultimate responsibility for my health care is my own and that Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Bethany Shields, is here to support me in this. I understand that my practitioner reserves the right to determine which cases fall outside their scope of practice, in which event an appropriate referral may be recommended. I hereby agree to assume full responsibility for any manner of illness, loss, injury, claim or damage whatsoever, known or unknown, direct or indirect, that I may sustained as a result of my attendance and/or participation. I have read the above release and waiver of liability, and fully understand its contents and voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions stated. 

9. Be Better with Bethany may revise or modify these terms and conditions, which will be effective 14 days after publication and notice.

10. New York law governs this engagement, and you agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of Broome County, New York. The terms of this engagement, including the release and assumption of responsibility and liability, are binding upon me and my heirs, beneficiaries, representatives, successors and assigns.

IMPOSSIBILITY

Notwithstanding the above, either party may choose to be excused of any further performance obligations in the event of a disastrous occurrence outside the control of either party, such as, but not limited to: 

1. A natural disaster (fires, explosions, earthquakes, hurricane, flooding, storms or infestation); or 

2. War, Invasion, Act of Foreign Enemies, Embargo, or other Hostility (whether declared or not); or 

3. Any hazardous situation created outside the control of either party such as a riot, disorder, nuclear leak or explosion, or act or threat of terrorism.