INFORMED CONSENT FOR COUNSELLING & COACHING
Last updated: October 2, 2026
This page explains the nature and limitations of the counselling, coaching, and relationship support I offer through Northern Lights Coaching & Consulting and what you can expect when we work together. Northern Lights Coaching & Consulting is the trading name of Soren Stone Coaching, organisation number NO 937735030, registered in Norway.
1. About my services
I offer non-clinical counselling, coaching, relationship support, and related educational and experiential services for adults, couples, and multi-partner relationships. My approach is relational, embodied, collaborative, experiential, and nature-based.
I draw flexibly from more than ten years of counselling experience and training in approaches including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Gestalt, mindfulness-based practices, somatic and experiential approaches, and attachment-informed and trauma-informed relational work.
These approaches are used as flexible frameworks rather than as a fixed treatment protocol. Our work is shaped by what you are bringing, your preferences, your goals, your needs from session to session as well as over time, and what feels useful in the moment.
Depending on the nature of our work together, sessions may include:
reflective conversation and deep listening
slowing down and exploring recurring emotional, behavioural, or relational patterns
noticing bodily sensations, emotions, movement, gesture, imagery, impulses, memories, or different internal parts or perspectives
mindfulness, attention practices, grounding, or guided visualization
exploring values, meaning, choices, boundaries, communication, relationships, and life direction
journaling, drawing, or other simple creative and reflective practices
experiential relationship practices involving communication, boundaries, agreements, conflict, connection, and repair
walking, sitting, reflecting, or practicing awareness outdoors and in relationship with the natural environment
periods of quiet or rest
optional sound meditation or the use of sound instruments to support reflection or rest
optional supportive touch in appropriate in-person work, always discussed beforehand and used only with your clear and ongoing consent
You do not need to participate in any particular exercise or method. Everything I offer is an invitation. You may decline, stop, modify, or ask to approach something differently at any time.
I hold a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State, USA. Services provided through Northern Lights Coaching & Consulting in Norway are not provided under my Washington State clinical licence and do not constitute authorised Norwegian healthcare, psychotherapy, psychological or psychiatric treatment, diagnosis, clinical assessment, or medical care.
These services are not a substitute for medical, psychiatric, psychological, or other regulated healthcare when those services are needed. Services I provide separately through another company, healthcare platform, employer, or clinical agreement are governed by the terms of that service and are not covered by this informed consent.
2. A collaborative approach
My work is grounded in trust, agency, curiosity, and collaboration. I do not make decisions for you or tell you how you must live, relate, or respond. You are encouraged to bring questions, concerns, preferences, boundaries, feedback, and goals into our work. You may decline an exercise, change direction, ask a question, request something different, take a break, or end our work at any time. No particular personal, relational, professional, or emotional outcome can be guaranteed.
3. Possible benefits and discomforts
Counselling and coaching may involve exploring emotions, relationships, identity, belonging, grief, shame, burnout, conflict, life transitions, migration, patterns of behaviour, and other personally meaningful experiences. This work may support greater understanding, clarity, connection, self-compassion, or changes in how you relate to yourself and others.
At times, exploring difficult experiences may also bring up sadness, anger, grief, uncertainty, memories, interpersonal tension, or temporary discomfort. You remain responsible for deciding what feels appropriate for you and for the choices you make in your own life.
4. Choice and consent
Participation is voluntary. You may pause, modify, or decline any exercise or approach. Practices such as mindfulness, guided imagery, creative reflection, nature connection, or other experiential approaches may sometimes be offered when relevant. These are invitations rather than requirements. If supportive touch is offered as part of an in-person practice for somatic awareness, it will be discussed beforehand and requires clear consent. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
5. Couples and relationship work
In couples and relationship work, I understand the relationship itself to be the primary focus of our shared work rather than acting as one person's individual counsellor against another. Relationship work may take place either with me individually as the practitioner, as is the case for some existing couples and relationship clients, or through the co-facilitated relationship format I offer alongside my partner, Kirien Eyma. New relationship clients are generally offered the co-facilitated format. All participating partners should be participating voluntarily. One person may initially feel more comfortable or enthusiastic than another, but no one should be pressured or coerced into participating. I do not take sides or decide whether a relationship should continue or end.
My role, and in co-facilitated work our shared role, is to help create conditions in which patterns, needs, differences, conflict, connection, and possibilities can be explored more openly. In co-facilitated relationship counselling, Kirien participates as a relational and mindfulness practitioner alongside me. Kirien's role may include deep listening, relational mindfulness, present-moment attention, Authentic Relating, somatic and embodied awareness, and gentle experiential practices. Kirien is not providing psychological diagnosis, medical care, psychiatric treatment, or regulated healthcare through this service.
By participating in a co-facilitated session, all participating partners consent to both practitioners being present and participating in the work. Kirien and I may notice or respond to different aspects of what is happening in the room. We do not divide into separate teams or pair ourselves with individual partners. Neither practitioner acts as one person's advocate against another. When we return to shared relationship sessions, both of us remain oriented toward the relationship as a whole and toward understanding the experiences of everyone participating.
At times, individual sessions may be included alongside relationship work when something would benefit from additional space. For relationship clients working with me alone, an individual session may occasionally take place with one partner as part of the wider relationship work. Within the co-facilitated format, one partner may sometimes meet individually with me while another meets with Kirien, or individual sessions may otherwise be arranged in a way that supports the shared work. These individual sessions remain connected to the larger relationship process. They are not intended to create private alliances, separate treatment relationships, or sides within the relationship.
Because relationship work involves a shared process, I do not agree to maintain significant information from one partner when doing so would interfere with our ability to work together honestly. If you share something privately that is important to the relationship or our work together, I will not ordinarily reveal it to another partner on your behalf. Instead, I will work with you to consider how it can be brought into the shared space.
The same principle applies within co-facilitated relationship work. Kirien and I may consult with one another about the relationship work, including relevant information arising in individual sessions of couples clients who are seeing us within the co-facilitated session format, when this is necessary to maintain continuity, understand the wider relational context, or work responsibly together. Individual sessions within the co-facilitated format should therefore not be understood as confidential from the other co-facilitator.
We will not ordinarily disclose the details of an individual conversation directly to another partner without your permission. If something disclosed individually is significant to the relationship or materially affects our ability to continue the shared work honestly, we will work with you to consider how it can be brought into the shared space. If continuing the work would require me, or Kirien and me in co-facilitated work, to maintain a significant secret or participate in ongoing deception between partners, we may need to pause or end the relationship work.
Relationship work requires enough safety for everyone involved to participate freely. My relationship services are not designed to address situations involving current interpersonal violence, coercive control, intimidation, threats, stalking, or fear for one's safety. In these circumstances, individual, specialist, medical, legal, or safety-focused support may be more appropriate. If a conversation, activity, or exercise does not feel safe or appropriate, you are encouraged to stop.
6. Confidentiality
I treat what you share with me as private and confidential and take reasonable measures to protect it. I will not ordinarily share personal information or session content with another person without your permission. Exceptions may arise where disclosure or action is required by applicable law. Where reasonably possible and safe, I will try to discuss such circumstances with you before taking action.
In co-facilitated relationship work, Kirien is also part of the service being provided. Information shared during joint sessions is therefore shared with both practitioners. Kirien and I may communicate with one another about the work as reasonably necessary to prepare for sessions, reflect on the relationship process, coordinate the work, and maintain continuity between sessions. Both of us are expected to treat information learned through the co-facilitated work as private and to use it only for purposes connected with providing the service, subject to applicable legal requirements and the limits described in this informed consent.
I may occasionally seek professional consultation regarding my work. When doing so, I make reasonable efforts to omit or minimise information that could identify you. I may make brief written notes or doodles during sessions to help me follow and remember our conversation, however I do not maintain a clinical mental-health treatment record for services provided through Northern Lights Coaching & Consulting. Information about the collection, storage, and processing of personal information is available in the separate Privacy Policy.
7. Online sessions and communication
Online services carry some additional privacy and technology limitations. Please participate from a location where you feel comfortable speaking and where reasonable privacy is available. Technology may occasionally fail or communication may be interrupted. If this happens during a session, we will attempt to reconnect or decide together whether another arrangement is needed. Sessions may not be audio-recorded, video-recorded, photographed, or otherwise recorded by any participant or practitioner without the prior agreement of everyone involved. Email, text messages, WhatsApp, and similar communication are intended primarily for scheduling, practical matters, and ordinary communication. These communication methods cannot be guaranteed to be completely private and are not continuously monitored.
8. Scheduling and Cancellations
I set aside dedicated time for each scheduled session. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice.
Cancellations or requests to reschedule made with less than 24 hours’ notice, as well as missed appointments without notice, will be charged at the full session fee. If you are using a prepaid package, the session will be deducted from your remaining package balance.
I understand that unexpected situations sometimes arise. At my discretion, I may waive the late cancellation or no-show fee once in the event of a genuine emergency or exceptional circumstance. Any such waiver is a one-time exception and does not change the cancellation policy for future appointments.
Sessions begin and end at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, the session will still end at the originally scheduled time.
If I need to cancel or reschedule a session, I will offer another appointment time. If we are unable to reschedule a prepaid session, the applicable fee will be credited or refunded.
9. Payment and Fees
Current session fees are listed on my website or provided to you in writing before booking. Any fee agreed upon at the time of booking will apply to that appointment.
Payments may be made by credit or debit card through Stripe or, where offered, by invoice or bank transfer. Card information is securely processed and stored by Stripe, and I do not have access to your full card number or security code.
If you have agreed to keep a card on file, you authorise Northern Lights Coaching & Consulting to charge that card for:
sessions or services you have booked or agreed to purchase;
packages or payment-plan instalments you have agreed to;
applicable late cancellation or no-show fees; and
any other charges you have expressly authorised.
Where payment by invoice or bank transfer is arranged, payment is due according to the terms stated on the invoice.
Prices may change for future bookings, but a change in pricing will not alter the fee for a session, package, or service you have already purchased or agreed to unless we mutually agree otherwise.
10. Nature-based and outdoor work
Some services may involve walking, spending time outdoors, or meeting in natural environments. Outdoor environments may involve uneven terrain, weather, wildlife, insects, changing conditions, or encounters with other people. Although I make reasonable efforts to support privacy, complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in public or outdoor settings. You are encouraged to make choices about participation, terrain, physical activity, weather, and accessibility based on your own needs and capacities.
Retreats, intensives, or more substantial outdoor activities may include additional information or participation agreements specific to that offering.
11. Groups and workshops
Participants in groups, workshops, retreats, and courses are asked to respect one another's privacy and not repeat another participant's identifying information or personal experiences without permission. I will treat information shared in these settings with care. Because other participants are independent people whose actions I cannot control, I cannot guarantee that another participant will maintain confidentiality.
12. Crisis and emergency support
Northern Lights Coaching & Consulting is not a crisis or emergency service, and I do not provide 24-hour support.
If you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, or there is danger to life or health, call 113. For urgent healthcare that cannot wait until your GP is available, call Legevakt at 116 117.
If you are in emotional crisis, experiencing suicidal thoughts, feeling overwhelmed, or simply need someone to talk to, you can also contact Kirkens SOS at 22 40 00 40.
Their crisis phone is open 24 hours a day, every day, and calls are anonymous. They also offer SOS chat and messaging through their website. Mental Helse's Hjelpetelefon is also available at 116 123.
If you are outside Norway, please use the emergency or crisis services available where you are physically located.
13. Ending or changing our work
You may end counselling, coaching, or relationship work at any time.
I may recommend pausing, changing, or ending our work if:
your needs fall outside the scope of the services I provide
another kind of support appears more appropriate
the work no longer appears constructive or workable
continuing would create a significant ethical, legal, safety, or professional concern
In co-facilitated relationship work, Kirien and I may similarly recommend pausing, changing, or ending the co-facilitated format if the work falls outside its scope, another form of support appears more appropriate, or continuing would create a significant ethical, legal, safety, or professional concern.
Where possible, I will communicate openly with you about this and support an appropriate transition or referral.
14. Feedback and concerns
I want our work to be a space where you feel respected, heard, and able to bring concerns forward. If something is not working for you, whether it relates to our relationship, a particular session, an exercise, or another part of your experience, I encourage you to tell me.
In co-facilitated relationship work, feedback about either practitioner or about the shared experience is also welcome and can be brought to either of us.
I welcome feedback with openness and curiosity and will make a genuine effort to understand what happened and what you need.
If I make a mistake, I will take responsibility, listen carefully, and work with you in good faith toward repair.
15. Your consent
By choosing to begin or continue services with me, you confirm that you have had access to this informed consent, understand the general nature and limitations of the services being offered, and have had the opportunity to ask questions.
If you participate in co-facilitated relationship counselling, you additionally confirm that you understand that Kirien Eyma will participate as a collaborating relational and mindfulness practitioner, that both practitioners may communicate with one another about the shared work as described above, and that all participating partners consent to this co-facilitated format.
Participation remains voluntary, and you may change your mind or end services at any time.
Practical terms relating to fees, cancellation, packages, payments, courses, and refunds are available in the separate Terms of Service.
Northern Lights Coaching & Consulting
Operated by Soren Stone Coaching
Organisation number: NO 937735030
Bygdøy allé 21, 0256 Oslo
Email: sorenwstone@gmail.com
Norway / WhatsApp: +47 929 34 168
US text: +1 206-370-4870