HEALING & RECOVERY COACHING GROUP
Consent & Commitments
Healing & Recovery is an online coaching group for young adult men ages 18 and older. The group addresses sexual confusion, unwanted or distressing attractions, unwanted same-sex attractions, questions about identity, masculinity, gender confidence, emotional awareness, personal values, relationships, and related concerns.
Please review each of the following expectations carefully:
1. Healing & Recovery is an online coaching program and is not intended to be a drop-in group. Participants are expected to attend consistently. If a participant will miss a session because of work, school, travel, illness, or another commitment, he is expected to notify the facilitator in advance.
2. Participants are encouraged to share honestly and personally but will never be forced to disclose information they are not comfortable sharing. Each participant may determine what to share based on his own comfort level and personal boundaries.
3. Participants understand that group sessions may include direct and respectful discussion and education about sexuality, unwanted same-sex attractions, other unwanted or distressing attractions, identity, masculinity, gender confidence, relationships, emotional development, sexual behavior, pornography, faith, and other sensitive subjects.
4. Participants are expected to engage respectfully in group discussions, complete assigned work outside of group, and use the Healing & Recovery workbook. Participation is voluntary. However, a participant who consistently chooses not to participate or whose conduct disrupts the group or interferes with another participant’s progress may be asked to leave the group.
5. Participants are required to purchase the Healing & Recovery workbook, read the first four chapters before beginning the group, and bring the workbook to each session. Participants should come prepared with completed assignments, questions, concerns, or personal challenges they would like to discuss.
6. Participants agree to protect the confidentiality and privacy of everyone in the group. Names, identifying information, personal stories, screenshots, recordings, or details shared during group sessions may not be disclosed outside the group, including to family members, friends, religious leaders, coworkers, or on social media. Participants understand that the facilitator will establish and reinforce confidentiality expectations but cannot guarantee that every group member will honor them. A violation of confidentiality may result in immediate removal from the group.
7. Participants are expected to attend sessions from a private location where conversations cannot be overheard. Use of a headset, AirPods, or a similar device is required during online sessions. Recording, photographing, screen-capturing, transcribing, or allowing another person to observe a session is prohibited.
8. The facilitator may use text messaging, WhatsApp, email, or similar methods to communicate scheduling information, reminders, and limited group-related information. Participants understand that ordinary electronic communication may have privacy limitations and agree to use reasonable caution when sharing sensitive information electronically.
9. Participants may communicate with one another outside of scheduled sessions through text messages, phone calls, or other appropriate means. Such communication is voluntary and is not monitored or supervised by the facilitator. Participants are expected to maintain the same standards of confidentiality, respect, and appropriate boundaries outside the group.
10. Participation is voluntary. A participant may withdraw his consent and discontinue participation at any time by notifying the facilitator in writing. Continued participation is dependent upon following the expectations outlined in this agreement.
11. Participants understand that confidentiality has legal and ethical limitations. The facilitator may disclose information or seek outside assistance when required or permitted by law, including when there is reason to believe that a participant presents a serious or imminent risk of harm to himself or another person; a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect; a vulnerable adult may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation; disclosure is required by a valid court order or other applicable law; or emergency intervention is reasonably necessary to protect someone’s immediate safety.
12. Participants agree not to engage in sexual contact, sexual solicitation, romantic pursuit, harassment, coercion, sexually inappropriate communication, or exploitative behavior with another group member. Participants also agree not to send or share sexually explicit images, videos, messages, or other graphic material with group members. Group discussions may address sexuality directly, but participants must not provide unnecessary graphic details or content that could be harmful or disruptive to another participant. Serious violations of these boundaries may result in immediate removal from the group.
13. Participants agree to treat one another with dignity and respect, even when their experiences, beliefs, values, or personal goals differ. No participant may pressure, shame, diagnose, ridicule, or attempt to control another participant’s beliefs, identity, attractions, or personal decisions.
14. Participants understand that Healing & Recovery provides coaching, education, guided self-reflection, peer support, and practical skill development. It is not psychotherapy, psychiatric treatment, medical care, crisis intervention, or a substitute for services provided by a licensed healthcare professional. The facilitator may recommend that a participant obtain counseling, medical care, psychiatric services, emergency assistance, or another form of professional support when needs arise that are beyond the scope of the coaching group.
15. Participants understand that meaningful progress requires consistent personal effort. The facilitator can provide education, guidance, support, and opportunities for greater self-awareness but cannot make decisions or changes on a participant’s behalf. Experiences and results will vary, and participation does not guarantee any particular outcome. The group does not promise, seek to guarantee, or make claims that participation will change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Each participant remains responsible for determining his own values, goals, beliefs, and personal choices.
16. Healing & Recovery is designed to be consistent with biblical teaching. Group discussions may include biblical principles, Christian perspectives, prayer, or faith-based reflection related to the subjects being addressed. Participants may also be encouraged to seek appropriate spiritual support from trusted religious leaders. Participation does not require a participant to agree with every perspective expressed, but respectful engagement is expected.
17. Participants understand that the group facilitator is not continuously available and that group communication channels are not appropriate for emergencies. A participant experiencing an immediate crisis or danger should call 911, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, go to the nearest emergency department, or seek assistance from an appropriate local professional.
I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and legally able to consent to participation on my own behalf. I have read and understand the information provided above regarding the Healing & Recovery group. I understand that the program is considered coaching and education, not therapy or medical treatment. I have had an opportunity to ask the facilitator questions about the group and its expectations.
I understand that I may discontinue participation at any time. I voluntarily accept the potential risks and limitations associated with participation in an online coaching group, including the possibility that another participant may fail to maintain confidentiality.
By signing this agreement, I consent to participate in the Healing & Recovery group and agree to follow its attendance, privacy, confidentiality, communication, conduct, and boundary expectations. I specifically pledge not to disclose personal or identifying information shared by other participants.