Informed Consent

It is the obligation of CampusReady Coaching to provide you with the information you need in order to decide whether to consent to the services that you will be receiving. The purpose of this form is to verify that you have received this information and give consent to services. Please read this form carefully before acknowledging.

 

A. Services Information

CampusReady Coaching provides coaching, consultation, and educational services. Coaching is a process where life skills are discussed, taught, and practiced in order to achieve client growth. Coaching techniques and the coaching process have both benefits and risks. During appointments, you or your child will discuss the nature of the skills you would like to learn, the goals of services, and any additional services your coach recommends. This discussion will also include the potential benefits and risks of any recommended services. Possible risks include the experience of uncomfortable feelings (such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness, or helplessness) or the recall of unpleasant events in your life. Potential benefits include a significant reduction in feelings of distress, better relationships, better problem-solving and coping skills, and a resolution of specific problems. Given the nature of coaching, it is difficult to predict what exactly will happen, but your coach will use their best efforts to address the risks and benefits. The coach will discuss the likelihood of achieving your goals and reasonable alternatives, and you will be actively involved in your college readiness journey. You fully acknowledge that any benefit from coaching is directly dependent upon your participation and progression through the process. However, no guarantees can be made regarding outcomes. At any time, you may refuse a recommended service, or revoke your consent to the services altogether.

 

It is important to note that coaching is NOT counseling or therapy.  While your coach may have a license or mental health credentials that inform their expertise, they are not operating in a clinical capacity during coaching meetings or workshops.

 

Your relationship with your coach is, and will always remain, professional. All parties will treat each other with respect at all times. You acknowledge that you have received information about your coach, including their qualifications and credentials (listed on the coach’s profile) and that you may ask about a coach’s qualifications and credentials either during appointments, or by contacting CampusReady Coaching. If, at any time, you have concerns or complaints about your services, you may direct them to your coach or CampusReady Coaching.

 

B. Virtual Meetings

Coaching and educational services can be furnished using a number of different modalities, including virtual meetings, which allows you to seek services using a secure audio or visual technology platform, rather than requiring you to come into an office for face-to-face appointments. Virtual services are provided synchronously, meaning you and your coach will communicate in real time during a scheduled appointment over an audio/visual technology platform. There are many benefits to virtual services, such as easier and more convenient access to services and receiving services from the comfort and safety of your home or workplace. However, there are also risks associated with virtual services, including, but not limited to, technological failures, delays in response, and the limitations of coaching via electronic means. This section is intended to inform you of these risks, as well as the benefits, so that you may make an informed decision on whether or not to use virtual services. The use of virtual is voluntary, and you can withdraw your consent at any time.  However, at this time all CampusReady Coaching services are provided virtually.

 

You understand that, in connection with virtual services, your coach will be located at a remote location and will not be physically present with you. Your coach will communicate with you during scheduled virtual appointments. CampusReady Coaching has a secure platform that your coach can use to communicate with you via video, audio, or messaging communications. However, there always is a possibility that the transmission of your information could be disrupted or distorted by technical failures, or could be interrupted by unauthorized persons. To increase security, CampusReady Coaching recommends that you avoid using public access computers or shared networks.

 

Virtual meetings have the same purpose or intention as coaching services that are conducted in person. However, due to the nature of the technology used, you may experience virtual somewhat differently than face-to-face services appointments. Therefore, your coach will continuously assess whether virtual is appropriate for your specific services needs. It is important that you establish a plan with your coach in case you experience technological difficulties and get disconnected, or you experience a crisis requiring a higher level of intervention.

• If you get disconnected due to technological difficulties, your coach will contact you using your information on file with CampusReady Coaching. If you get disconnected during a medical or mental health crisis, your coach will contact you, or if they are unable to reach you, your emergency contact. It is imperative that you ensure your, or your emergency contact’s, information is always up-to-date.

• If your coach is unable to reach your emergency contact, they may have to call 911 or initiate a wellness check to ensure the safety of the client if the client is unable to access emergency medical or mental health services themselves.

• If you are experiencing an emergency situation, you must call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room for help. If you are having suicidal thoughts or making plans to harm yourself, you can call or text the National Crisis & Suicide Lifeline at 988 for free 24-hour hotline support.

 

C. Confidentiality

Interactions with your coach will be confidential. 

 

There may be situations, however, where a coach is required by law to disclose certain information to certain parties, such as state agencies, law enforcement agencies, or parents/legal guardians. Even though your coach is not operating services for CampusReady Coaching as a mental health clinician, holding a clinical license in the State of Maryland holds them to the state laws related to mandated reporting.  

 

Mandated Disclosures:

• Abuse, neglect, or exploitation

  • In Maryland, these must be reported regardless of whether the victim is over the age of 18 or the perpetrator is deceased.

• Risk of Serious Harm to Others

  • Maryland and licensing laws have a duty-to-warn mandate.  

  • If a client threatens serious harm to another person, the coach must notify law enforcement and the individual mentioned.  There may be other actions taken as outlined in Maryland State law.

• Risk of Harm to Self

  • If a client discloses imminent risk of harm to themselves or that they have harmed themselves and are in need of medical attention, the coach may have to contact 911, an emergency contact/parent/guardian, or initiate hospitalization procedures.

 

Since coaches are not conducting therapy or counseling services, Maryland State laws regarding age of consent do not apply.  Coaching services provided to minors under the age of 18 need to be authorized by a parent or legal guardian and information shared in meetings can be disclosed to those parents or guardians.  However, it is CampusReady Coaching’s philosophy that individuals preparing for college and emerging adulthood need to establish independence and therefore any disclosures to parents or legal guardians will be made with safety, need for support, and application of skills in mind.  

Please ask your coach or CampusReady Coaching if you have any questions about mandatory reporting situations.

 

D. Records

Because CampusReady Coaching’s services are not therapy or counseling, clinical notes will not be kept.  However, your coach may keep some records of meetings as a reminder of previous discussions, skills, and action plans.  Your records will be stored securely for a minimum of ten years. Should you ever need access to your records, please contact CampusReady Coaching. You acknowledge that you have received the CampusReady Coaching Privacy Notice, which outlines our record-keeping and Protected Health Information confidentiality procedures. All applicable confidentiality protections and ethical rules will apply to virtual services in the same way as with in-person coaching.

 

E. Financial Information

You have received information on the fees that you will incur for services. You certify that the information given by you in applying for payment is correct. You acknowledge full responsibility for, and agree to pay, all charges. Charges are due and payable upon booking.

 

If you have questions, you are encouraged and expected to ask them before you acknowledge this form. Your acknowledgement of this form indicates that you have read and understand this document and that you have had the opportunity to ask questions about anything in this form. By acknowledging this Informed Consent, you confirm and agree to the following:

• You have been informed and have had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers about the potential risks, limitations, alternatives, and benefits of receiving services, whether in-person or through virtual and, after considering such matters, you consent to receiving virtual services. No promises or guarantees have been made to me regarding the coaching or educational services that you will receive.

• You have provided, or will provide before services, CampusReady Coaching and your coach accurate information regarding your identity and location.

• You have received information about the identity, practice location, and other information regarding your coach.

• You have been informed regarding how to enter appointments and communicate with your coach via CampusReady Coaching’s virtual platform, and will discuss a plan with your coach for how to work around technological difficulties and connections issues should they occur.

• All applicable confidentiality protections apply to our services, in accordance with CampusReady Coaching’s Privacy Notice.