ICF Competency Series: Cultivating Wholeness through Ethical Practice Part 3: Establishes and Maintains Agreements (Competency B3)

At Integer, we believe that real transformation happens in spaces of safety, clarity, and consent. That’s why establishing and maintaining agreements is more than an administrative task—it’s an invitation to co-create a relationship built on trust, intention, and mutual respect.

When we begin a coaching relationship, we’re not just setting up logistics—we’re setting the tone. Agreements give the work structure. They hold the boundaries that make freedom possible.

🧾 Agreements as Invitations

Establishing agreements isn’t about laying down rules—it’s about alignment. It’s how we partner with our clients to shape a container that feels clear and honoring from the start.

We talk openly about what coaching is and isn’t. We name what we can and cannot offer. We invite questions. We encourage clarity. This early dialogue is essential not just for ethics, but for connection. When the client knows what to expect—and what’s expected of them—they can step more fully into the experience.

🤝 Partnership at Every Step

Creating agreements is not a one-time event. It’s an ongoing practice of checking in, clarifying, and collaborating.

From establishing big-picture goals to naming what matters in each session, we work alongside the client—not above them. We ask:

• What do you want to walk away with today?

• How will you know this session was meaningful?

• What needs attention before we move on?

This kind of presence and flexibility allows clients to feel seen, heard, and empowered. It also honors the ever-evolving nature of personal growth.

⏳ Holding Time and Space with Integrity

One of the most overlooked aspects of coaching is how we manage time. But in truth, honoring time is part of honoring the person.

We hold time mindfully—beginning and ending sessions with intention, tracking progress without rushing, and staying aligned with the client’s desired outcome unless they consciously shift direction.

At Integer, this attentiveness is part of how we create a space that feels contained, respectful, and whole. It tells the client: You matter. Your time matters. This space is for you.

🌱 A Thoughtful Goodbye

Even the way we end matters. Closing the coaching relationship in a way that honors the experience ensures that the client leaves not just with insight, but with a sense of completion.

We don’t simply “wrap up”—we reflect, celebrate, acknowledge, and offer gratitude. We leave space for integration. The ending, like the beginning, is part of the sacred arc of the coaching journey.

Establishing and maintaining agreements is the structural support that allows authenticity, connection, and wholeness to flourish. It says to the client: You are safe here. Let’s build something real together.