Terms of Service

Burdens Lifted Coaching

Effective Date: October 28, 2025

1. Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Client," "you," or "your") and Monica Burden, operating as Burdens Lifted Coaching ("Coach," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing our website at burdenslifted.com, scheduling a coaching session, or using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use our website or services. Please read these Terms carefully before engaging our services.

2. Nature of Coaching Services

2.1 Definition of Coaching

Coaching is a comprehensive process that provides an opportunity to deepen learning, expand your capacities, and enhance your quality of life. The coaching process can involve any areas of life you wish to consider, including business, relationships, health, finances, education, and recreation. Together we will consider you as a whole person, the system you act within, and the meaningful life you want, and design a path forward.

2.2 Not a Substitute for Professional Services

Coaching is different from advice, counseling, psychotherapy, legal advice, financial planning, or medical treatment. Coaching is not to be used as a substitute for professional advice by legal, medical, financial, business, spiritual, or other qualified professionals. You acknowledge that you will seek independent professional guidance for matters requiring such expertise. The Coach does not diagnose, treat, or cure any mental or physical conditions.

3. Client Responsibilities and Commitment

The power of the coaching relationship can only be granted by you as the client. We are equally accountable for the success of the coaching process. As the client, you agree to the following:

• Full Attention: You commit to attending each session with your full attention, whatever state you might be in when you arrive. Driving or engaging in other kinds of multitasking during a session greatly diminishes the power of coaching.

• Topic Selection: You are responsible for choosing the topics you want to be coached on at each session, either before the session begins or in consultation with the Coach early in the session.

• Self-Exploration: You commit to engage in self-exploration, including awareness of and curiosity about your feelings (a normal and healthy part of being human), so that you can make more informed choices and actively move forward.

• Honest Communication: You commit to being honest about any feelings or experiences that may influence the power or potential of the coaching journey and/or relationship. When the coaching is not working as desired, you agree to communicate and take action to return power to the coaching relationship.

• Personal Responsibility: How you handle issues and implement your choices is exclusively your responsibility. You are solely responsible for attaining any goals or outcomes in your life.

4. Service Packages and Fees

4.1 Coaching Engagements

Coaching services are provided through individually designed engagements that may vary in duration, session frequency, and scope based on your needs and goals. The specific terms of your coaching engagement, including duration, session structure, fees, and included services, will be outlined in your individual Coaching Agreement or service proposal.

Because meaningful change happens over time, we typically recommend a minimum commitment period to allow the coaching relationship to develop and be powerful. When challenges arise, we stay in collaboration and work through to the other side.

4.2 Continuation and Termination

The terms for continuing or ending your coaching relationship will be specified in your individual Coaching Agreement. When it is time to end the coaching relationship, we request advance notice as specified in your agreement. If there is any reason to change our agreement, our request is that we meet to design a mutual resolution that honors client, coach, and the coaching relationship.

5. Payment Terms

5.1 Payment Methods

You will receive invoices via QuickBooks or Stripe according to the schedule outlined in your Coaching Agreement. Payment may be made by credit card, bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, or Venmo. All fees are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified.

5.2 Payment Due Dates

Payment is due according to the schedule specified in your individual Coaching Agreement. Timely payment ensures continuity of your coaching services.

5.3 Late Payment

If payment is not received by the due date, we reserve the right to suspend services until payment is received. Continued non-payment may result in termination of the coaching relationship and may be referred to collections.

5.4 Refund Policy

Refund policies will be outlined in your individual Coaching Agreement. Generally, fees paid for coaching services are non-refundable except as specifically provided in your agreement.

6. Scheduling and Cancellation Policy

6.1 Scheduling Appointments

You are responsible for scheduling coaching sessions according to the terms of your Coaching Agreement. Details for how to schedule will be included in your Coaching Agreement.

6.2 Cancellation and Rescheduling

To reschedule or cancel appointments, please notify the Coach at least 24 hours in advance by email or phone. If you miss an appointment or give less than 24 hours notice, the session will be considered forfeit and you will not receive a refund or credit unless otherwise specified in your Coaching Agreement.

6.3 Late Arrival and Early Departure

If you arrive late or need to leave early, you will have less time in which to work and will be responsible for the full session fee. Sessions will not be extended to compensate for late arrival.

7. Confidentiality and Privacy

7.1 Coaching Confidentiality

Burdens Lifted Coaching follows the professional ethics and standards of conduct established by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Coaching is a confidential relationship. As the client, you are welcomed and encouraged to share and talk about your coaching experience with anyone. As your Coach, we will not use your name as a reference unless you give verbal or written consent.

7.2 Limitations on Confidentiality

You should be aware that the Coach's ability to ensure your privacy is impacted by state and federal law. You understand the following:

• Not Privileged: The coaching relationship is not privileged and, as such, coaching records can be subpoenaed. The Coach may keep notes to assist with coaching; if this is objectionable, either entirely or at specific times, please request that the Coach not take notes.

• Safety Concerns: In circumstances of imminent danger or egregious harm, the Coach may be compelled to share information with appropriate entities to ensure safety for all concerned.

• ICF Verification: Your name and email address are shared with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as part of an official log of coaching hours. The ICF will use your email solely to verify coaching for coach accreditation through random audits.

• Professional Consultation: In some cases, some topics (from which all identifying details will be withheld) may be anonymously and hypothetically shared with other coaching professionals for consultation or training purposes.

8. Communications and Consent

8.1 Text Messaging and Phone Communications

By providing your phone number and engaging our services, you expressly consent to receive communications from Burdens Lifted Coaching via text message (SMS), phone calls, and email. These communications may include appointment reminders, scheduling confirmations, follow-up messages, and service-related updates.

Message Frequency: Message frequency varies based on your coaching schedule and interactions. You may receive approximately 1-5 messages per week.

Standard Rates: Standard message and data rates may apply as determined by your mobile carrier.

8.2 Opt-Out Rights

You may opt out of text messages at any time by replying "STOP" to any text message from us. You may also contact us to manage your communication preferences. Please note that opting out of communications may affect our ability to provide timely appointment reminders and service updates, which could impact the quality of your coaching experience.

9. Disclaimers and Limitations

9.1 No Guarantees

Nothing in this agreement and nothing in the Coach's statements or questions to you shall be construed as a promise or guarantee of any outcome desired by you. The results you achieve through coaching depend on many factors, including your commitment, effort, and circumstances. The Coach makes no warranties or representations regarding the results you may or may not achieve.

9.2 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Coach shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of our services or these Terms. The Coach's total liability to you for any claims arising out of or related to these Terms or our services shall not exceed the amount you have paid to the Coach for services in the three months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

10. Intellectual Property

All content on the website burdenslifted.com (including text, graphics, and logos) and materials provided during coaching sessions (excluding your personal information and discussions) are the intellectual property of Monica Burden and Burdens Lifted Coaching. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any materials provided without written permission.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Coach, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to your use of our services, your breach of these Terms, or your violation of any law or the rights of any third party.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Informal Resolution

If any dispute arises between you and the Coach, we encourage you to contact us first to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We are committed to working with you in good faith to reach a fair resolution.

12.2 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Massachusetts, and you consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.

13. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated Terms on our website with a new effective date. Your continued use of our services after such changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced with a valid and enforceable provision that most closely reflects the original intent.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any signed Coaching Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Coach regarding our services and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, agreements, and understandings, whether written or oral.

16. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us.

By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions.