Ethics Info

Question 1

commit to professionalism

x4

Answer 1

1 ongoing development of skills
2 up-to-date with relevant research
3 following recertification procedures
4 model healthy behavior skills (particularly prioritizing self-care
self-awareness practices, including emotional self-regulation)

Question 2

Legal Responsibilities

Answer 2

1 client records are protected
2 health care settings abide by HIPAA
3 Awareness of relevant federal and state
regulations that affect health coaching

Question 3

Confidentiality

Answer 3

1 Maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality with all information unless release is required by law
2 adhering to applicable state/federal reg
3 clear agreement about how coaching information will be exchanged

Question 4

Working within an organization; serving sponsor and client

Answer 4

Make clear to any employer/sponsor and to the client what activities fall
within the scope of practice within an ICHWC-certified health and
wellness coach, as well as the outcomes that can be reasonably be
expected

Question 5

Conflicts of interest

Answer 5

Disclose all anticipated compensation from
third parties for referrals of clients

Seek to be conscious of any conflict or potential
conflict of interest, openly disclose any such
conflict to all stakeholders involved,
and offer to remove myself when a conflict arises.

Question 6

cultural sensitivity

Answer 6

Demonstrate dignity and respect for all people,

honor diversity, cultural sensitivity

Question 7

Honesty

Answer 7

True and accurate representation of your

training, experience, expertise, credentials

Question 8

Attribution

Answer 8

Provide attribution for contributions of others, including copyrighted material

Question 9

Scope of practice

Coaches Do not: x3

Answer 9

diagnose conditions
prescribe treatments
provide psychological therapeutic interventions

Question 10

Scope of practice

Coaches MAY Provide x3

Answer 10

1. support clients achieving health goals
   & change based on clients’ goals and treatment
   plans prescribed health care providers
2. expert guidance in areas with active,
   nationally recognized credentials
3. resources from nationally recognized authorities

Question 11

Professional Coaching Relationship

Answer 11

when coaching includes an agreement (including contracts) that defines the rights, roles and responsibilities of each party.

Avoid any sexual or romantic relationship with current clients, sponsor(s),
students, mentees or supervisees

Question 12

Sponsor

Answer 12

the entity paying for and/or arranging for coaching services

coaching agreements should clearly establish the rights, roles and
responsibilities for both the client and sponsor if different

Question 13

Conflict of Interest

Answer 13

A situation where coach has private or personal interest sufficient
to appear to influence the objective of his or her professional role or responsibilities

Question 14

Code of Ethics x3

Answer 14

Refer when necessary
Consent and approval from relevant parties
Seek consultation or supervision as needed

Question 15

Self-monitoring and management of triggers and boundaries

Answer 15

1. recognize any personal issues that may impair,
   conflict with or interfere with coaching
2. seek the relevant professional assistance
   and determine action to be taken
   suspend or terminate coaching relationship whenever
   the facts and circumstances necessitate

Question 16

Altruism or Beneficence

Answer 16

Unselfish concern for the welfare of others,

devoid of ulterior motive.

Question 17

Autonomy

Answer 17

The capacity and right to make informed,

uncoerced decisions and to govern oneself.

Question 18

Best Practice

Answer 18

Coaching techniques that are based on

the best available research evidence.

Question 19

Bias

Answer 19

A partiality that prevents objective
consideration of an issue or situation;
a prejudice or preconception.

Question 20

Boundaries of Competence or Scope of Practice

Answer 20

Competencies refer to skills and techniques in which you have been
thoroughly trained and are competent to perform. A basic ethical principle
is never to coach outside of the boundaries of your competencies and to stay
within the scope of your training and your professional role when working with clients.

Question 21

Confidentiality

Answer 21

The right to have one’s privacy and records protected.
Conflict of Interest Having competing roles, relationships or
other interests that could potentially interfere with your
objectivity or effectiveness in caring for your client(s).

Question 22

Continuity of Care

Answer 22

Arranging for the continuous care of clients if you become
impaired or unable to complete contractual agreements.
This will likely involve keeping excellent client records,
networking with other coaching professionals and
creating a network for client referrals.

Question 23

Do No Harm or Nonmaleficence

Answer 23

One of the fundamental principles of modern mental
health practice, from the Latin “primum non nocere,”
translated as “first, do no harm.” Take reasonable
steps to avoid harming others and to minimize harm
where it is forseeable and unavoidable.

Question 24

Dual relationships

Answer 24

Dual, or multiple, relationships can occur when the
coach and client (or someone close to the client
such as a family member or employer) have other
interactions with each other such as in the community,
socially, or professionally, outside the coaching relationship.

Question 25

Exploitive Relationships

Answer 25

A relationship of trust and confidence between
two people in which one person (the fiduciary)
holds much more power, knowledge or skill than
the other and is, therefore, held by the law
to a higher standard of conduct.

Question 26

Informed Consent

Answer 26

Obtaining informed consent from a client
involves discussing candidly with the client
such things as the nature of the treatment
including risks, benefits, forseeable consequences
of declining or withdrawing from treatment,
and Limits of Confidentiality

Question 27

Inherent Power Imbalance

Answer 27

A power imbalance is inherent in a professional
relationship between a helper and one who is
seeking help. This imbalance must be noted
and respected in order to avoid Paternalism
and Exploitive Relationships, and to
respect client Autonomy.

Question 28

Impaired competence

Answer 28

Coaches maintain an awareness of situations
where personal problems may interfere with
their ability to perform their duties effectively.
They take appropriate measures such as seeking
supervision or assistance, and deciding whether
to limit, suspend, or discontinue their coaching practice.

Question 29

Justice

Answer 29

The principle of fairness that like cases
should be treated alike and clients should
be treated equally.

Question 30

Limits of Confidentiality

Answer 30

Client information is kept strictly confidential
expect for specific situations provided for in law.
Examples may, or may not, include client statements
of intention to harm themselves or others, or
admissions of the maltreatment of children or
vulnerable adults or other situations of

Question 31

Mandated Reporting.

Answer 31

Mandated reporting Situations requiring that the
confidential relationship between coach and
client be breached and a report made to the
appropriate authorities. Common examples are
child abuse and neglect, or a client’s stated
intentions to harm themselves or others.
Coaches must be aware of all applicable state and local statutes.

Question 32

Paternalism

Answer 32

An attitude stemming from the Inherent Power
Imbalance in the relationship between a coach
and a client that lacks respect for client
autonomy and instead makes decisions or
proscriptions on behalf of clients “for their own good.”