Week 1 Module (2 Hours)

Focus: Establishing rigid professional boundaries, defining strict referral thresholds, and mastering ICF Core Competency 3 (Establishing the Agreement) around sensitive monetary topics during our 2-hour synchronous lab.

Core Concepts & Boundaries

• The Non-Directive Stance: Ensuring you operate as an empowering mirror rather than an advising expert (CPA, CFP, or therapist).
• Contracting Framework: Structuring session agreements that explicitly account for emotional vulnerability and client autonomy.
• Referral Thresholds: Recognizing exact boundaries where financial coaching ends and licensed financial planning, tax accounting, or clinical mental health begins.

Session Learning Activities

• Active Chat-Storm ("Waterfall"): Exploring initial baseline reactions and human instincts when clients mention debt and financial stress.
• Scope & Referral Mapping: Collaborative exercise to sort real-world client scenarios into appropriate professional referral buckets (CPA, CFP, Attorney, Therapist).
• Observed Peer Triads (Practice Lab): Live rotating roleplay in groups of three (Coach, Client, Observer) focusing on setting clean agreements and holding the non-directive stance.