Policies and Disclosures

Transparency and ethical care are important to me. The following policies outline how I handle privacy, technology use, and the scope of my work.

Scope of Practice & Professional Boundaries

I offer personal support and wellness coaching grounded in evidence-based, client-centered practices. My work is designed to support reflection, self-awareness, and self-directed change across areas of well-being, including mental, emotional, social, physical, sexual, and spiritual health.

Coaching is a collaborative process that centers client autonomy, consent, and self-determination. I support clients in identifying goals, drawing on their own insight and resources, and developing practices that align with their values and lived experience.

I am not a licensed medical physician, psychologist, or other healthcare professional regulated by the State of Colorado. I do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe medical or psychological conditions, nor do I provide psychotherapy or medical treatment.

While I may share educational information or evidence-based resources, coaching is not a substitute for medical, mental health, or therapeutic care. Clients are encouraged to consult with qualified healthcare providers regarding any medical or mental health concerns or treatment decisions.

If concerns arise related to safety, scope, or appropriateness of services, I reserve the right to pause or end the coaching relationship with care and transparency.

Ethics & Values

My practice is guided by principles of client-centered care, autonomy, consent, and inclusivity. I affirm sexual well-being as a fundamental aspect of human wellness and support diversity in identities, relationships, and lived experience.

I am committed to ongoing education and ethical practice informed by recognized professional standards, including guidance from national and international wellness, sexuality, and coaching organizations.

Confidentiality & Privacy

I respect the privacy of the people I work with and treat all information shared during coaching with care and discretion. What you share in sessions is kept confidential, with the following important exceptions:

If disclosure is required by law
If there is a concern about risk of harm to yourself or others
Coaching is not the same as therapy, and it is not a legally protected confidential relationship. In some cases, I may consult with other professionals for supervision, ethical reflection, or professional development. When this occurs, identifying details are removed to protect your privacy.
I use secure systems for scheduling, communication, and record-keeping, and I take reasonable steps to safeguard your information.

Client Responsibilities

Coaching is a collaborative process, and your engagement matters. As a client, you remain responsible for your own decisions, actions, and outcomes.

I ask that clients:

Participate actively and honestly in sessions
Set goals that feel meaningful and self-directed
Communicate openly about needs, concerns, or changes
Take responsibility for implementing agreed-upon action steps
My role is to support reflection, accountability, and awareness — not to make decisions on your behalf.

Cancellation, Attendance, and Refund Policy

Appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
Appointments missed without notice, or with arrival more than 10 minutes late, are charged 100% of the session fee.
Fees for missed appointments are non-refundable.
No refunds are issued for completed sessions.
Emergencies and extenuating circumstances are reviewed case by case.
If I need to cancel due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, you may reschedule at no cost or receive a full refund.

For questions or emergency situations, contact Catherine@cometakeastep.com.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

At Take A Step, some administrative and coaching support tasks are assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) tools. AI is an integrated part of how services are delivered and is used to support efficiency, accessibility, and personalization.

AI-supported tasks may include scheduling reminders, generating draft session summaries or goal plans, organizing follow-up resources, and offering materials in multiple formats (written, visual, or audio) to better support diverse learning and communication styles.

AI tools are used as supportive resources only. They do not replace the coaching relationship, human judgment, or consent-centered care. All AI-assisted content is reviewed, adapted, and approved by me before being shared with clients.

Client information is treated with care and respect. AI-assisted processes use secure systems, and identifiable information is not shared outside of the coaching relationship.

AI is never used for crisis intervention, medical or mental health diagnosis, or autonomous decision-making.

By engaging in services with Take A Step, clients acknowledge and consent to the use of AI-supported tools as part of standard practice operations.

Legal Context

In accordance with Colorado law, I practice as a complementary and alternative health-care practitioner and do not represent myself as a licensed healthcare provider. My services are offered within the boundaries permitted by state statute and professional ethical guidelines.

Coaching services are not designed for crisis support. If you are experiencing an emergency or feel unsafe, please contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline.

Privacy