Coaching terms, at a glance

This Agreement establishes a structured, ethical, and confidential coaching relationship. Coaching services are provided to clients aged 18 and over. Beyond Divergent specialises in coaching neurodivergent individuals (including those who identify as Autistic, ADHD, PDA, dyslexic, or otherwise neurologically diverse) with a strengths-based, anti-deficit approach.

Coaching may encompass, but is not limited to:

• Identity, self-understanding, and neurodivergent empowerment
• Executive function, energy management, and sensory regulation strategies
• Career development, professional transitions, and workplace navigation
• Life design, values clarification, and personal fulfilment
• Relationships, communication, and interpersonal effectiveness
• Entrepreneurship, business building, and creative projects

Coaching at Beyond Divergent operates from the PLAY philosophy: Playful (joy lowers the stakes), Led by you (you lead, and the questions do the heavy lifting), Already extraordinary (strengths-first, never fixing), and Your world redesigned (adapting environments and tools to fit you, never the reverse). The Coach views you as the expert on your own life and experience.

• Coaching is a collaborative partnership. Your agenda, goals, and autonomy drive every session.
• The Coach is not acting as a therapist, counsellor, psychologist, mentor, or medical advisor.
• Coaching is not a substitute for mental health treatment. Where clinical or medical support is indicated, the Coach may suggest referral to appropriate professionals.
• You are solely responsible for your own decisions, actions, and outcomes arising from the coaching relationship.
• This practice operates with unconditional positive regard for you and a commitment to anti-ableism in all interactions.

Beyond Divergent coaching is grounded in ICF Core Competencies and adapted for neurodivergent ways of thinking, communicating, and processing. The Coach commits to:

• Environment design first: adapting the coaching process to fit your brain, not the other way around.
• Low-demand, invitational language that reduces executive-function friction.
• Sensory and communication accommodations where needed (e.g. camera-off sessions, asynchronous check-ins, flexible pacing).
• Strengths-based framing that honours neurodivergent traits as differences, not deficits.
• ICF-aligned techniques including active listening, powerful questioning, goal setting, accountability structures, and values exploration.

Progress is reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with your self-defined goals.

• Sessions are conducted virtually via Google Meet (or another mutually agreed platform), typically lasting 60 minutes.
• Session frequency (e.g. weekly, fortnightly) and overall engagement length (a single Co-op Session or a six-session Co-op Campaign) are agreed in writing before starting.
• All sessions are scheduled in advance via Google Calendar. You will receive a calendar invitation with the meeting link.
• Sessions begin and end on time. Late arrivals are accommodated within the original session window where possible.

• I ask for payment as agreed, before the relevant session or package period begins.
• You can move or cancel a session at no cost, as long as you tell me at least 24 hours before we are due to meet. Inside 24 hours the fee is not refunded, because I have already held that time for you. You get one free reschedule of that session instead. Either way, you never have to explain why.
• If you do not make it to a session and I have not heard from you, I treat it the same as cancelling inside 24 hours. The fee is not refunded, and you get one free reschedule of that session.
• Once a session has begun there is no refund. If you decide to end it early, the full fee still stands.
• If I have to cancel or move a confirmed session, you choose: a full refund, or full credit with priority rebooking.
• I keep your session credit open for 12 months from the day you pay, so you can book at the pace that actually works for you. There is no rush, and I will not chase you for a date.
• If you decide to stop partway through a Co-op Campaign, the sessions you have not used are still yours. Email me before the final session of the package and I refund the unused sessions pro-rata, so you only pay for the sessions you have had. If you would rather hold them as credit and come back to them later, that is your call.
• If payment is more than 7 days overdue, I may pause sessions until it is sorted out.

The Coach keeps all information shared during coaching sessions strictly confidential. This is a foundational commitment of the coaching relationship. Confidentiality is only broken where:

• Disclosure is required by law (including a court order or statutory duty to report);
• The Coach has a reasonable belief that there is an imminent risk of serious harm to you or another person;
• You provide explicit written consent for specific information to be shared.

• You acknowledge that coaching is not covered by legal privilege in the same way as therapy or legal counsel.
• Session notes, if kept, are stored securely and not shared with third parties without consent. Sessions are not recorded unless you provide separate written consent via the Release of Confidential Information (below).
• The Coach may discuss aspects of practice in confidential supervision (with identifying details removed) as part of professional development under the ICF Code of Ethics.
• All personal data is processed in accordance with POPIA (Act 4 of 2013). You may request access to your personal data at any time.

• Limited email or message support may be offered between sessions for brief check-ins, reflections, or resource sharing, as agreed.
• Between-session communication does not substitute for a scheduled coaching session.
• The Coach responds to messages within 2 business days.
• For urgent non-coaching matters (e.g. rescheduling), contact the Coach at hello@beyonddivergent.com or +27 82 487 1050.

Effective coaching is a two-way partnership. As the Client, you agree to:

• Engage actively and approach sessions with openness, curiosity, and honesty.
• Take responsibility for your own goals, choices, and actions arising from coaching.
• Communicate access needs, communication preferences, or sensory considerations so sessions can be designed accordingly.
• Give honest feedback if something is not working. This is welcomed and valued.
• Arrive as prepared as possible given your capacity that day. There is no expectation of “perfect” preparation.

The Coach, Dennis Liebenberg, commits to:

• Uphold the ICF Code of Ethics in all aspects of this coaching relationship.
• Remain fully present, prepared, and engaged during each session.
• Honour your autonomy and the PLAY coaching philosophy, treating you as already extraordinary and the leader of your own work.
• Maintain professional boundaries, act in your best interests at all times, disclose any potential conflict of interest, and avoid dual relationships that compromise professional integrity.
• Pursue ongoing professional development and supervision in line with ICF standards.
• Adapt the coaching approach to best serve your neurodivergent profile and communication needs.

The Coach abides by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Code of Ethics, which encompasses confidentiality, integrity, professional conduct, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest. A full copy is available at coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-ethics/icf-code-of-ethics/ (opens in a new tab).

• Coaching agreements, session notes (where kept), and correspondence are retained for the duration of the coaching relationship and for up to 3 years thereafter, in line with ICF ethical requirements and POPIA.
• You may request a copy of your personal data held by Beyond Divergent, or request its deletion (subject to legal retention obligations), by contacting hello@beyonddivergent.com.
• Data is stored securely and is not sold, shared, or used for marketing without your explicit consent.

• Either party may end the coaching relationship at any time by providing written notice (email is sufficient).
• A closing session is encouraged wherever possible to reflect on progress, celebrate growth, and ensure a supportive transition.
• In the event of a serious ethical concern, the Coach may suspend or terminate services in line with the ICF Code of Ethics and will refer you to appropriate alternative support.
• Prepaid session refunds upon termination are handled as described in Section 5 (Fees, payments, and cancellations).

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes are resolved in the courts of the Western Cape, or via mutually agreed mediation prior to formal legal proceedings.

The official signed document constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Coach and supersedes all prior discussions or representations. Any amendments must be made in writing and agreed by both parties.

The Coach may wish to record sessions for one or more of the purposes below. You may consent to any or all of these independently:

• Recordings are not shared with any party beyond those listed in the consented purpose(s) above.
• You may request that identifying details (name, organisation, location, etc.) be redacted before submission or review.
• You may use a pseudonym for any recording or submission, at your request.
• While all reasonable safeguards are in place, you acknowledge that absolute electronic security cannot be guaranteed.

Beyond Divergent may occasionally wish to share client experiences for marketing, educational, or community purposes. Consent for each use type is separate and optional:

For any testimonial or case study use, you will:

• Be provided with a draft for review and approval before publication.
• Retain the right to request edits or withdraw consent prior to publication.
• Never have your words or story used in a way that misrepresents your experience.

• You have the right to refuse any or all consent items without impact on the coaching relationship.
• Consent may be withdrawn at any time by written notice to hello@beyonddivergent.com, provided the relevant recording or content has not yet been submitted or published.
• If consent is withdrawn after a recording has been submitted to the ICF, the Coach will request deletion; however, deletion cannot be guaranteed once files have been received by a third party.
• If consent is withdrawn after a testimonial or case study has been published, the Coach removes the content within 5 business days.
• Under POPIA, you may at any time request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data held by Beyond Divergent by contacting hello@beyonddivergent.com.

Your signed Release is stored securely by Beyond Divergent and is not shared with any third parties except as required by law. You may request a copy of your signed form at any time.

This Release is governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa and is consistent with the ICF Code of Ethics (coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-ethics/icf-code-of-ethics/ (opens in a new tab)) and POPIA (Act 4 of 2013). Any disputes are resolved in the courts of the Western Cape.