The following terms and conditions set out the ground rules from which we will be working together as group client (you) and group coach/dietitian (Mercedes).
The Life as I Love It programme is as a collaborative, non-therapeutic, group process intended for clients who wish to overcome the burden of a disordered lifestyle and emotional eating working in a group setting. The purpose of the coaching relationship is to support you in the achievement of wellbeing. Being a joint effort, I will guide you and your group through the process while you will share your own ideas and reflections. The Life As I Love It Programme is not a quick fix and it can take time and work to see changes.
In my role as your group coach and dietitian I will support and challenge you and your group as you progress towards your nutrition and wellbeing goals. I will offer feedback and guidance as appropriate. I will abide by the Health and Care Professions Council standards of conduct, performance and ethics and by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council code of ethics in my work as your dietitian and coach.
As your group coach and dietitian, my role is to support you and your group by:
- Helping you identify, prioritise and plan how to meet your nutrition and wellbeing goals and needs
- Providing nutrition, positive psychology, mindfulness and physical activity guidance
- Clarifying your nutrition and wellbeing related doubts and queries
- Helping you work things out for yourself and avoiding giving instructions on how to act
- Avoiding jumping to conclusions or being judgmental but nevertheless asking challenging questions and encouraging you to reflect on relevant experiences
- Helping you explore and weigh in options (different courses of action and the advantages and disadvantages they offer) and, if appropriate, offering options for you to consider based on my knowledge and experience
- Actively listening and helping you explore your ideas without imposing my own
- Asking questions to guide you in the exploration of relevant issues more deeply
- Offering constructive feedback as and when appropriate
- Remaining aware of my own level of competence and advise you to seek other kind of support if I deem your needs are beyond my scope of practice
As my group client, your role is to be responsible for:
- Implementing the Life As I Love It Programme activities
- Making time for our sessions (twelve 2-hour group sessions and one 15-minute individual session)
- Preparing for our sessions
- Participating from a quiet and private space that allows for no interruptions and/or distractions during our sessions
- Keeping your camera on during our sessions
- Sharing what you feel comfortable to share during our sessions
- Showing up for our sessions physically, mentally and emotionally
- Being honest and open during our sessions
- Being respectful with other group members
- Being committed to take responsibility for your own progress
- Taking notes on each session and using them to support your process
The Life as I Love It Programme includes twelve 2-hour group sessions and one 15-minute individual session. Group sessions will happen every week during the first 9 weeks and on weeks 11, 13 and 16. Individual sessions will be allocated during weeks 14 and 15.
Fees are due before booking your programme. Programme fees are payable in full by credit/debit card or PayPal through the secure booking section of my website.
If you miss or do not attend a session you will not receive a refund.
Once payment has been made your programme will be booked and no refunds will be given.
Contact between sessions is kept to answering general group concerns though the WhatsApp group chat.
I am unable to provide an emergency or crisis service. In the event of an emergency, please contact your GP (out of hours dial 111), attend your local A&E department or dial 999.
Given the group nature of the programme, all participants must agree to keep what has been shared during the sessions private. Sessions will not be recorded. Participating in the WhatsApp group implies that other group members will have access to you phone number. Interaction between group members should be exclusively during the sessions and via the WhatsApp group chat.
I will take brief paper notes during/after each session and these will be kept in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Notes are purely to help me in my work with you. They are disclosed to no one other than, and if necessary, my coaching supervisor, who also abides by the EMCC code of conduct. These notes are kept for up to seven years, together with information such as your contact details. The paper records are stored in a cabinet at my home office, secured with a lock. The only digital data I keep are your contact details (email address and phone number), which are password protected on my computer, my smart phone and my tablet.
I will only disclose confidential information in the following situations: a) when I consider it necessary to prevent serious emotional or physical damage to you, me or a third party (in such circumstances I would first endeavour to discuss with you my decision for breaking confidentiality and whenever possible, I will consult with another experienced coach/dietitian bound by EMCC and/or HCPC ethical standards before making the decision to break confidentiality); and b) rare circumstances decreed by law.