Health and wellness coaches are the real deal.
If you are one of these special, gifted, precious people — kudos to you!
The world needs you and your magic! Thank you. 💛
You are in an extraordinary position to facilitate the most game-changing transformations.
You have the ability to help people authentically improve their health, fitness, relationships, mindset, and overall quality of life.
That’s some real superhero stuff.
Your generosity, your time, your energy, and your ability does not go unnoticed.
But this exciting ability comes with a certain level of risk.
Here at Coaches & Co., risk our not our jam. 🙅🏽♀️ 🙅🏽♀️ 🙅🏽♀️
We are ALL about helping you mitigate and reduce the legal risks associated with coaching work.
Because of that, we’ve put together a list of three important steps to keep yourself protected as a health or wellness coach, so you can focus on helping your clients transform their lives for the better.
Let’s get into it! 👇🏽
1. Write a Disclaimer
First up, we health and wellness coaches to understand the importance of having a rock-solid disclaimer.
The best spot for this disclaimer is in your contract.
So in this disclaimer it’s gotta be ✨ crystal clear ✨ what the scope of your services are.
Make sure that it is impossible for your client to misunderstand what your services are and what they are not.
But the most important thing to include as a health and wellness practitioner is that your coaching services are not a physical or mental health treatment or diagnosis.
Especially if you are a licensed health care professional.
As a licensed pro, you’ve gotta be diligent in protecting yourself from malpractice or liability that might put your professional license at risk.
This disclaimer needs to, of course, be included in your contract, but you also need to include it in the legal terms of all your offers.
That means in the legal term of your:
- One-on-one coaching services
- Group coaching programs
- Courses
- Digital products
- Free challenges
And even on your website!
A rock-solid disclaimer in the health and wellness industry clearly communicates that the services offered are *not* for the purpose of medical or mental health treatment and a diagnosis will not be provided to the client through this service.
This is also an excellent time to recommend that clients seek medical care from a licensed professional in the event that they do need professional help.
2. Add a ‘No Guarantee’ Policy
Listen.
Your services are great.
And we’re sure they are exactly what you promise. 💛
But it is just way too risky to guarantee that they will get a particular result. 😳
There is effort, time, and energy required on the part of the client in order to achieve the results they’re hoping to get.
You simply cannot guarantee something that is subject to so much human error.
Of course, we’d love to hope that each and every client is as invested in your program as you are in their transformation, but you just don’t know.
Bottom line: Health and wellness coaches should avoid making any promises they can’t keep.
In the legal terms of your contract, you need to be sure to lay out what you do and do not guarantee.
You can say something like this: 👇🏽
“We can only guarantee that the services will be rendered as outlined in this contract.”
Or, “We cannot guarantee the outcome of your participation in this program.”
And friends, if you are just that confident that you can promise your clients a certain result and you are ready to provide them with a guarantee, here’s what you need to know. 👇🏽
You can only guarantee something that the vast majority of your previous clients have been able to accomplish through your program.
Do not guarantee anything you can’t back up. 🙅🏽♀️
Providing a guarantee is a risk. So if you want to provide one, make sure you can point to some concrete examples of past clients’ results and say: “This is what you can achieve through working with me.”
You also must lay out what your clients can expect if they do not achieve these guaranteed results.
Do they get a refund?
Extra time with you?
An extension of their participation in the program?
Whatever it is, just make sure it’s clear.
Clarity is queen, always. ✅
3. Get Testimonial Consent
Who doesn’t love a good testimonial? 🙌🏽
The power of a testimonial is unmatched when it comes to getting those sales and filling up your coaching roster.
In general, people trust social proof over all other types of marketing.
But here’s the thing: If health and wellness coaches want to share a testimonial, then they absolutely must have testimonial consent.
❌ No exceptions. ❌
Before you post that screenshot on your Instagram or website, check in with the person who wrote the testimonial and get their permission to share their words.
And please make sure you get consent in writing.
That can be by email, text, or DM.
As soon as you get that email, DM, or voice memo singing your praises, get consent at that moment.
Don’t wait!
Thank them sincerely for their kind words and then go right ahead and ask permission to share their reviews as a part of your marketing strategy.
The most secure way to get testimonial consent?
Including it in your coaching contract. ✅
That way, well before your client has gone through this life-changing transformation, you’ve got their consent to share their glowing reviews.
Testimonial consent is mandatory for every industry, but in the health and wellness industry, it is especially important.
Why?
Because information that relates to people’s health and wellness can be sensitive and private information.
When asking for permission to share testimonials that relate to health and wellness coaching, it’s always a good idea to ask clients if they would prefer that their review be shared anonymously.
That means omitting their name, social media information, profile pic, phone number, email address, or any other personally identifying information.
Always remember to prioritize the safety, privacy, and comfort of your clients when using their words to promote your services.
Your clients clearly love you, friend. 💛
So take care of them!
4. Bottom Line: It All Starts With Your Contract
As you can see, there are some very tangible ways to protect yourself and your clients in the health and wellness sector.
None of these solutions take much effort on your part, and they can all be taken care of at the contracting phase of your coaching relationship.
Which is why your contracts have to be flawless. 💃🏽✨
This is where you’re gonna have that rock-solid disclaimer outlining the exact scope of your services.
It is also where you let your clients know what you can and cannot guarantee.
And finally, it’s where you get their permission to include their kind words in your marketing strategy.
If you have any doubts about your current contracts, we’ve got exactly what you need. 👇🏽
Our Contract Shop has a contract template for every type of coaching relationship.
Each template includes a testimonial consent clause, a no guarantee policy, and some extremely thorough disclaimers.
Our affordable, customizable, lawyer-approved contract templates are there to protect you from personal liability, professional liability, and unwarranted refund requests.
You want to be able to focus all your energy on helping your clients achieve their goals.
Not stressing about contracts. 🙅🏽♀️
Let us take care of that!
We’ll make sure that your clients fully understand the scope of your services and aren’t ever putting their health at risk.
You focus on your clients.
We’ll take care of the legal stuff. ✅
Ready to grow your health and wellness coaching business? Check out our ready-to-use, lawyer-approved, plug-and-play legal contract templates, so you can upgrade your client contract while staying Profitable & Protected™✨
*The information presented in this blog post is for educational & informational purposes only. This should not be a substitute for customized legal advice from a licensed professional in a private setting. If you need legal advice, please consult with an attorney. This is not a law firm.
