A Letter From The Founder and Director of the BALM

Dear BALM Coach Trainee,

Congratulations on your decision to become a BALM Coach! As you know, you are enrolling in a training program with the potential to transform your life and that of the families you serve! There is a great need for your services along with tremendous potential opportunity for you!

To get off to the best start, there are important things for you to know and agree to. Be sure to read the agreement below thoroughly before signing up, as filling out the form and making payment is your electronic signature indicating acceptance of and consent to everything in the Commitment Agreement.

Looking forward to sharing this journey with you as we move together to help ALL families blaze the trail to recovery in their homes!

All the best,

Beverly Buncher

Part 1
I understand that the training is structured to build on each of the courses as an integral whole experience. Therefore, I agree to attend all my coursework over the next 18-24 months. I understand that the purpose of the training is both personal growth and professional training.  Therefore, I anticipate that I:
 

• will have the opportunity to process my own life and challenges via coaching during class
• will expand my expertise regarding use disorders and other mental health challenges, recovery, and BALM family recovery as the foundation of this program
• will start with the Component One BALM Mastery Curriculum, with the goal of mastering the BALM 12 Principles and 7 Steps
• will study BALM Life Coaching Fundamentals and the ICF core competencies so that I can coach anyone, (unless you are already an ACC and only enrolled in path 3)
• will then study BALM Advanced Family Recovery Life Coaching in order to prepare myself fully to work with family members and families affected by use disorders and other mental health challenges
• will coach and be coached throughout the program and will use these coaching opportunities to hone my skills as a coach as well as to grow personally and professionally, (12 hours of coaching and 12 of being coached required, 36 additional hours provided to help me meet my ICF certification requirements.)
• will attend the Online Practicum as a part of this course, and
• understand that I must fulfill all aspects of my chosen program in order to graduate and be eligible to apply for certification.

Part 2
To promote my well-being and the well-being of all others in the training,
 
1. I will treat everything and everyone in the training with respect and confidentiality.
2. I will attend each of the live and/or online video conference courses and will manage my finances to make this possible.
3. I understand that the Daily BALM (12 Principles) and 7 Steps to BALM form the foundation of the entire program, along with the Component One Gatherings, and must be attended and taken seriously for me to get full credit for this program, according to the course requirements.  They are essential to my ability to be a BALM Family Recovery Life Coach. By taking Component One first and concurrently with the rest of the program, I’m giving myself an additional skillset as well as a powerful foundation for my coach training studies and my life.
4. I agree that to obtain full credit for the training, I can miss no more than 2 classes in any given course. I understand that if I miss more than 2 LIVE classes I will make them up by attending the same class at another time (if available) or by listening to the recording, taking notes, and submitting my notes to the instructor.  I also understand that Practicum is my opportunity to coach with professional feedback and I will attend my assigned sessions. 
5. I agree that successfully passing my oral exams is also required to qualify for full BALM Family Recovery Life Coach certification.
6. If I need to miss a class, I will let the facilitators know at least 24 hours in advance by phone or email if possible.
7. I agree to not drop out of the program without first talking with the Director of Education, and I agree to attend the next class to close and complete with my class-mates if I am not returning.
8. I understand this is a 1-2-year (where applicable) commitment and that my tuition is due and payable immediately and is non-refundable. I know I am responsible for my full tuition upon signing my agreement regardless of whether or not I have completed the program. This applies to payment plans as well and I will fulfill this obligation.
9. I will keep myself safe, healthy, and protect my recovery. Should I relapse, I agree to let my instructors know and discuss whether I should continue or postpone the completion of my course.
10. I understand I am totally responsible for my own learning process and I take full responsibility for my results. I do not hold Family Recovery Resources, The BALM Training Institute, its administrators, its instructors, or my classmates responsible for my learning experience.
11. I understand that if I teach the 12 Principles Live class in my community or on Zoom that I am required to purchase from FRR books and workbooks for every participant. The 12 Principles Facilitation Certification training is included in the coach training program and I may choose to pursue it or not. If I do obtain the certification and I do teach the class live (whether face-to-face or online), I will order books and workbooks for each participant.
12. I understand that the BALM Training Institute and all of its materials and lessons are owned by Beverly Buncher, MA, PCC, CBFRLC, CTPC. Since it is a proprietary program, I agree to use it in my coaching practice as allowed by the program and not to co-opt the material or use it to train other professional coaches or claim ownership of its ideas, content, or wording without the written permission of Beverly Buncher.