Participation Agreement & Disclosure (Coaching, Groups, Workshops, Events)
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2026
This Participation Agreement (“Agreement”) applies to your participation in any coaching, group, workshop, class, community space, book club, event, meetup, or related offering provided by Maggie Dickens and/or Cathartic Counseling & Coaching (“we,” “us,” “our”).
By registering, purchasing, attending, or participating in any offering, you agree to the terms below.
If you have questions about whether an offering is a fit for you, email: maggie@catharticcounseling.com
The participation-agreement-and-disclosure
coaching, group, workshop, class, community space, book club, event, meetup, download, or related offering provided by Maggie Dickens OUTSIDE OF THERAPY SERVICES
Even though Maggie Dickens is a licensed therapist, participation does not create a therapist-client relationship, does not constitute psychotherapy, and is not clinical diagnosis or treatment.
This means:
We are not providing therapy in coaching programs, groups, book clubs, communities, or events.
We do not diagnose, treat, or cure mental health conditions in these offerings.
These offerings are not a substitute for psychotherapy, medical care, psychiatric care, or emergency services.
If you want therapy or clinical care, you’re welcome to explore those options separately (if available and appropriate), but it is not part of these programs.
If you are a current or former therapy client of Maggie Dickens: you are welcome in coaching/group offerings (when appropriate), but your participation does not extend or reinstate a therapy relationship and is separate from therapy.
What you’re joining: coaching, education, and support (not therapy)
If you are in the U.S., you can call/text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are outside the U.S., please use your local emergency resources.
NOT CRISIS CARE
Group confidentiality (your responsibility)
In any group setting (online or in-person), you agree:
-Do not share names, identifying details, stories, screenshots, chat logs, audio, video, or private messages from other participants.
-Do not repeat what others share outside the group—online or offline.
Limits of confidentiality (important)
Because coaching and groups are not therapy, there is no legal guarantee that other participants will maintain confidentiality. This is why confidentiality is a shared agreement and not something we can fully control.
Your privacy setup (online participation)
You agree to join sessions from a private space when possible and to use headphones if others might overhear. You also agree not to have anyone else in the room off-camera.
No recording
-Recording is not allowed without explicit permission:
-No audio/video recording, screenshots, photographs, or screen captures during sessions or events.
-If recording is ever requested for a specific moment, it will only happen if everyone present agrees in real time, for that specific purpose.
Facilitator notes and AI tools (if used)
To support program quality, training, and improvement, we may use:
-facilitator notes, and/or
-secure transcription/AI scribe tools inside a HIPAA-capable platform (when applicable)
These are used for internal purposes only and are not shared with participants and are not used to identify you publicly.
Confidentiality and privacy: “the cone of silence”
Maggie may need to break confidentiality (or take action) if there is:
-credible risk of imminent harm to self or others,
-suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult, or
-other circumstances required by law.
If action is needed, we will share only what is necessary.
Mandated reporting and safety disclosures
These spaces are meant to be supportive, respectful, and non-performative.
By participating, you agree:
-Treat others with respect, even when experiences differ.
-No harassment, hate speech, discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment, or intimidation.
-No doxxing, stalking, or unwanted direct messaging.
-No pressuring others to share, disclose, or participate beyond their comfort.
-No giving professional advice as fact (medical, legal, financial). Share personal experience only.
We reserve the right to remove any participant who disrupts safety or integrity of the space. Removal may be without refund (if applicable) and may include loss of access to community spaces.
Community conduct and participation expectations
optional,
not monitored 24/7, and
not crisis support.
You understand and agree:
Participation in these spaces is at your own risk.
We are not responsible for participant behavior in unofficial or participant-led spaces.
We are not liable for conflicts, misunderstandings, or harms that occur in community messaging spaces.
Additional group spaces (WhatsApp/Discord/
Facebook/Voxer/etc.)
Specific program details (dates, attendance expectations, access windows, and support) are described on the sales page and/or checkout page for each offering.
Unless explicitly stated otherwise:
-live attendance is your responsibility,
-missed sessions are not made up 1:1,
-access to materials or replays (if any) is not guaranteed beyond stated access windows.
For HIPAA-capable platforms (like Carepatron), you understand:
-links may be unique and time-limited,
-links may be resent before sessions,
-it is your responsibility to ensure you can receive emails and access the platform.
Scheduling, access, and communications
Policies vary by offering and will be stated at checkout.
Unless otherwise stated on the checkout page:
All sales are final. No refunds.
Payment plans are a commitment to pay in full.
Missed sessions, inability to attend, dissatisfaction, or personal schedule conflicts do not create a right to a refund.
Chargebacks
You agree not to initiate a chargeback as a substitute for following our policies or contacting us to resolve concerns. If a chargeback occurs, we reserve the right to:
revoke access to all offerings and materials,
provide the signed agreement and proof of access/attendance to the payment processor, and
pursue payment through appropriate means.
Payments, refunds, chargebacks
We do not guarantee outcomes. Coaching, groups, and education depend on many factors outside our control, including your participation, your readiness, and your life circumstances.
You understand and agree:
you are responsible for your choices and results,
any examples of outcomes are illustrative, not promises.
Results not guaranteed
Our offerings are not medical advice. Do not disregard medical advice from your providers because of something shared in an offering.
If you have a medical or mental health condition that could be affected by participation, consult an appropriate licensed provider.
Medical disclaimer
All frameworks, teaching content, prompts, slides, worksheets, recordings (if any), and brand materials are the intellectual property of Cathartic Counseling & Coaching, unless otherwise stated.
You are welcome to use materials for your personal growth. You agree you will not:
copy, reproduce, sell, share, publish, or distribute materials,
record sessions and distribute them,
use our materials to create competing products/programs,
represent our content as your own.
Intellectual property and use of materials
We will not use your name, likeness, photo, or identifiable story for marketing without your permission.
Sometimes we may invite:
testimonials,
written feedback,
photos at in-person events, or
general reflections.
If you choose to share, we will request separate, explicit consent for anything used publicly. You may decline without penalty.
We may share non-identifying, generalized learnings (themes, aggregated takeaways, composites) in marketing, without names or identifying details.
Photos, testimonials, and marketing (opt-in only)
If you attend any in-person meetup, retreat, trip, or event, you understand there are inherent risks (including but not limited to accidents, illness, injury, travel disruptions, food allergies, alcohol-related risks, and third-party conduct).
You agree:
you are responsible for your own transportation, lodging, and personal safety unless otherwise stated in writing,
you will follow venue rules and local laws,
you will disclose relevant allergies/needs when requested,
you assume all risks associated with attendance.
We are not responsible for the actions of venues, vendors, other participants, transportation providers, or third parties.
In-person events, meetups, and travel: assumed risk
To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree that Maggie Dickens and Cathartic Counseling & Coaching are not liable for any direct or indirect loss, injury, or damages related to your participation, including:
emotional distress arising during or after participation,
decisions you make based on content or discussion,
conflicts with other participants,
technical issues or platform outages,
third-party platforms (Zoom, Meta/Facebook, WhatsApp, Discord, payment processors),
in-person event risks and third-party conduct.
You understand participation is voluntary and you assume all risks, known and unknown.
Limitation of liability
You agree to release and hold harmless Maggie Dickens and Cathartic Counseling & Coaching from claims arising from your participation, except where prohibited by law.
You also agree to indemnify (cover costs/claims) if your actions cause harm to others or result in claims against us (for example: violating confidentiality, harassment, unlawful behavior, or unauthorized sharing of materials).
Release and indemnification
These Terms, including with the Privacy Policy and Disclaimers shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Texas, United States of America and the courts of Texas, United States of America shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any dispute arising in relation to these Terms. You agree that any proceeding relating to use of this site must be filed exclusively in the appropriate courts located in Texas, United States of America and you submit to the jurisdiction of those courts and waive any objection based on an inconvenient forum or other reasons.
The parties agree to attempt to resolve any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms by mediation. The parties further agree that their respective good faith participation in mediation is a condition precedent to pursuing any other available legal or equitable remedy, including litigation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution procedures.
Governing law and venue
By registering, purchasing, or attending, you confirm that you:
read and understand this Agreement,
agree to the terms,
understand the offering is not therapy or crisis care,
agree to confidentiality and no recording,
accept the limitation of liability.
Agreement and acknowledgement
The owner of this website is Ella “Maggie” Dickens. You may contact us by phone at 713.979.9804, by email at MAGGIE@CATHARTICCOUNSELING.COM or by mail at 602 W French PL, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.