Sex & Relationship Coaching Agreement

The following represents the Contract between Dr. Sarah (the “Coach”) through Feminist Enterprises LLC and undersigned, known as the “Client.” The services contracted shall be that of life coaching, focused on sexuality and relationships, as set out below.  This agreement will begin upon acceptance by the Client and shall remain valid for the duration of the Client-Coach relationship.

Understanding Coaching Services

Coaching is a partnership focused on developing the client’s awareness, thinking, and abilities in order to help the client identify and achieve their goals.  In coaching conversations, I will be direct and honest and encourage the Client to do the same. 

Coaching sessions typically involve a lot of 1:1 sex education, communication techniques, and strategies to improve sexual self-awareness and confidence. The exact mix of strategies used will depend on the Client’s goals and needs; however, please note that sex and relationship coaching is not “sex therapy,” “sex surrogacy,” or a sexual service of any kind.  Touching, flirting, or engaging in sexual gratification during a session is inappropriate and Dr. Sarah reserves the right to end the session immediately, without refunds, if a Client violates this rule. 

Please note that life coaching, including sex and relationship coaching, should not be used as a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health care or substance abuse treatment and I will not use it in place of any form of diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.

Expectations and Policies

First Session

All clients complete a First Session.  This session is longer (e.g., one hour for individuals, 1.25 hours for couples), and is designed for the Coach and Client to get to know each other, answer questions, and identify the areas and issues the Client wants to work on through coaching. Sometimes the Coach can offer resources and solutions immediately, and you may not find a need for additional sessions.  Other times, the Coach may suggest further sessions to work on your goals.  In this case, we'll discuss a coaching plan.

The Coaching Plan:

After the First Session, the Coach will reach out with a Coaching Plan for you to review, which will include an estimate of the number of sessions that may be needed to reach.  The Coaching Plan will also include a list of goals–based on our First Session–and a sketch of the strategies the Coach plans to use in the coaching sessions. You are encouraged to make comments and adjustments to the goals and strategies.  Once the Coach and Client agree on the Coaching Plan, both parties sign and coaching begins.

Revisiting and Updating the Coaching Plan

Sometimes a client's goals change during coaching.  If that happens, the Coaching Plan can be updated and adjusted.  The Coaching Plan should be considered a living document; as the Client’s needs and circumstances change, the Plan can change too.

Payment, Refunds, Running Late, and Cancellation Policies

• Coaching sessions are paid in advance, and there are no refunds for completed individual coaching sessions.

• If you wish to cancel your package for any reason before you’ve completed the pre- sessions, you will receive a prorated refund. See Current Rate Schedule for details.

• If you are more than 10 minutes late for a coaching session, the Coach will assume the session is cancelled and the client will forfeit the session fee. If the Coach is more than 10 minutes late to a session, the Client will receive a full refund for the session.

• Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will be given a 50% refund.  Note: If you have a package, I will reschedule one time with you at no additional charge. 

Terms of Coaching

Depending on the Client’s goals and needs, coaching may be accomplished in one session or over multiple sessions. I invite you to think of Coaching as a process. Many people create change for themselves in a short time. However, to refine and sustain the change takes several months. If you’re interested in working with me over multiple sessions, we will develop an addendum to this agreement outline the scheduled session dates, goals, and objectives.

Ideally, coaching sessions should be scheduled weekly or biweekly. Coaching can take place online (e.g., zoom) or phone. The method of communication will be established when the session is scheduled. Unless noted in the Coaching Plan, the Coach is generally not available for emails or text messaging between Coaching Sessions (excluding communication regarding scheduling).

The Coach may assign “homework” for the Client between sessions that may include reading, activities, viewing, etc.

Confidentiality

Dr. Sarah and Feminist Enterprises LLC fully protects the privacy and confidentiality of the communications with its Clients. At no time will Dr. Sarah/Feminist Enterprises LLC voluntarily divulge the coaching relationship between themselves and their Client without written permission from the Clients, unless required to do so by law.

Intellectual Property

Hereby, the Client agrees that any intellectual property provided to them by the Coach will remain the sole property of the Coach, including but not limited to, copyrights, patents, trade secret rights, and other intellectual property rights associated with any ideas, concepts, techniques, inventions, processes, works of authorship, confidential information or trade secrets.

Exclusivity

The Parties agree that this Agreement is not an exclusive agreement and that the Coach is entitled to enter into similar agreements with other clients.

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall Feminist Enterprises or Dr. Sarah Rainey-Smithback be liable to the client for any special, punitive, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages of any kind in connection with this agreement. The Coach, hereby, makes no guarantees, representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, with respect to the coaching services negotiated, agreed upon and rendered.

Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ohio.

Dispute Resolution

If a dispute arises out of this Agreement that cannot be resolved by mutual consent, the Client and Coach agree to attempt to mediate in good faith for up to 30 days after notice given. If the dispute is not so resolved, and in the event of legal action, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover attorney’s fees and court costs from the other party.

Termination of Services

Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice to the other. Please note: Coaching sessions are paid in advance, and there are no refunds for completed individual coaching sessions. If you wish to cancel your package for any reason before you’ve completed the pre-purchased sessions, you will receive a prorated refund.

Coach-Client Relationship

The Coach:

• I agree to maintain the ethics and standards of behavior established by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (ASSECT) Bylaws and Vision of Sexual Health.

• I will honor the time that we are together and hold your confidences.

• I will not judge you and will respect your perceptions of the world.

• It is not my job to change you. It is my privilege to bring awareness, information, and resources to support your choices.

• I will always hold you in positive focus. We will concentrate on what is working in your life and how to create more that will work for you.

The Client: