1. About these terms

These terms cover coaching with Matt Eberlein Coaching, run by Matthias (Matt) Eberlein as a sole trader in the UK. They apply when you book or pay for a paid session or programme. The free first conversation is not a contract and has no charge. My contact details are on the Contact page.

2. What coaching is, and what it isn’t

Coaching is one-to-one, future-focused support to change your relationship with alcohol. I work from lived experience and I’m a Sober Club Accredited Coach.

Coaching is not therapy, counselling, medical treatment, detox support or crisis care. I don’t diagnose, treat dependency or process trauma. If you’re physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous, so speak to your GP or doctor before you cut down. If you’re in crisis in the UK, contact your GP, call NHS 111 or, in an emergency, 999. Elsewhere in Europe, contact a local doctor or, in an emergency, call 112.

3. Who I work with

You need to be 18 or over and living in the UK or Europe. My coaching is aimed at gay men aged 30 and over. I may decide coaching isn’t right for you, for example if you need medical or specialist support first. If so, I’ll tell you why and suggest where to go instead.

4. Sessions

Sessions last 60 minutes and take place by video call. Please join from a private, quiet place. Neither of us will record a session without the other’s written agreement.

I won’t hold a session if you’ve been drinking or using drugs. If that happens, we’ll end the call and it counts as a used session. We’ll talk about it openly next time, without judgement.

5. Prices and payment

The current prices are on the Coaching page. You pay a single session when you book it. You pay a programme upfront, or in equal monthly payments if we agree that, with the first payment due before your first session. Paying monthly costs the same as paying upfront.

If a monthly payment is more than 7 days late, I’ll pause bookings until it’s paid. If I change my prices, it won’t affect anything you’ve already paid for or agreed.

A single session must be used within 3 months. The 6-session programme must be used within 10 weeks and the 10-session programme within 5 months. If something serious gets in the way, such as illness or a bereavement, tell me and we’ll agree a new end date.

6. Your right to cancel within 14 days

You have 14 days from the day you book or pay to cancel without giving a reason, and I’ll refund you in full within 14 days of hearing from you.

If you want to start sooner, you can ask me to begin within those 14 days. You’ll do that in the client agreement. If you then cancel within the 14 days, you pay a fair share for the sessions you’ve already had, worked out at your programme’s price per session, and I refund the rest. If you’ve had every session you paid for, the right to cancel no longer applies.

To cancel, email me or tell me in writing. A clear statement is enough.

7. Rescheduling and missed sessions

You can move a session for free with at least 48 hours’ notice. With less notice, or if you don’t turn up, the session counts as used. Life happens, so each programme includes one free late reschedule.

If you’re late, the session still ends at the planned time. If you haven’t joined or been in touch after 15 minutes, I’ll treat it as missed.

If I need to move a session, I’ll give you as much notice as I can and it won’t cost you anything. If I can’t offer a new time that works for you, I’ll refund that session.

8. Ending a programme early

After the 14 days, you can still stop a programme at any time by telling me in writing. I’ll recalculate the sessions you’ve had at the single-session price and refund the difference. For example, if you paid £630 for 6 sessions and had 2, I charge £240 for those and refund £390. If you pay monthly, I’ll cancel the remaining payments and settle up the same way.

I may pause or end coaching if I believe it’s no longer safe or right for you, for example if your drinking increases to a point where you need medical support. If I end coaching, I’ll refund every unused session in full and help you find the right support.

9. What you can expect from me

I’ll turn up on time and prepared, keep what you tell me confidential within the limits below, answer check-ins within two working days (Monday to Friday), and tell you honestly if I think you need support that coaching can’t give.

10. What I ask of you

Be honest with me, including when things go badly. Tell me if your drinking increases or you start to feel unsafe. Get medical advice when you need it, and keep me informed of any treatment that affects our work. You’re responsible for the decisions you make during and after coaching.

11. Confidentiality

What you tell me stays between us. I’ll only share it without your agreement if I believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, or if the law requires me to. Where I can, I’ll talk to you first. I may discuss my work in supervision, but never in a way that identifies you.

I only hold the information I need to coach you, such as your contact details, your emergency contact and brief session notes. My Privacy notice explains how I store it, how long I keep it and your rights.

12. Results and responsibility

Coaching works when you put the work in, but I can’t promise a particular outcome. I’m responsible for providing coaching with reasonable care and skill. My total liability to you is limited to the amount you’ve paid me. Nothing in these terms limits my liability for death or personal injury caused by my negligence, for fraud, or for anything else the law doesn’t allow me to limit. None of this affects your legal rights as a consumer.

13. Complaints

If you’re unhappy with anything, tell me in writing. I’ll reply within 5 working days and try to put it right. You can also contact The Sober Club, my accrediting body, if we can’t resolve it between us.

14. Changes to these terms

I may update these terms. The version that applies to you is the one in place when you booked, unless you agree to a newer one.

15. Law

These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can also bring a claim in your local courts. If you live elsewhere in Europe, nothing in these terms takes away the protection you have under the consumer laws of your own country.

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My contact details are on the Contact page.