When a client expects after-hours sessions, I address it directly and professionally. I calmly explain my working hours and the importance of maintaining a balanced schedule to provide my best work. I let them know I’m committed to their progress but need to honor boundaries to ensure a healthy and effective coaching relationship. I offer alternative solutions, such as scheduling sessions during available hours or suggesting tools, resources, or reflective exercises they can use in the meantime. Being clear, consistent, and respectful reinforces the boundary while showing that I value their time and my own. Boundaries create structure, and modeling this helps clients understand the importance of balance in their own lives too.

Communicate boundaries upfront—clarify your availability early. Offer alternative options within your working hours. Reinforce policies politely but firmly if they push back. Avoid exceptions to maintain consistency. Use scheduling tools to streamline session booking. Stay empathetic while prioritizing your own well-being.

Coaching guidelines should be clear from the beginning. If a client is asking for after-hour sessions and that is not something you do... be kind and clear about your working hours... and find an alternative. Upfront clarity is always the best plan of action.

Setting boundaries with clients is essential for a healthy work-life balance, especially regarding after-hours sessions. 1)Communicate Clearly: Establish and share your working hours with clients. 2)Set Expectations: Emphasize the importance of boundaries for service quality. 3)Offer Alternatives: Suggest flexible options within your working hours. 4)Use Technology Wisely: Utilize scheduling tools to block non-working hours. 5)Stay Consistent: Maintain strict adherence to your established times. 6)Practice Self-Care: Recognize boundaries as vital for your well-being. 7)Be Firm yet Compassionate: Respond empathetically while reinforcing your limits. Implementing these strategies protects personal time and demonstrates professionalism.

Ever had a client expect after-hours sessions? 🙃 Here’s how to set boundaries (without losing the relationship): → Acknowledge their needs: “I get how important this is to you.” → Be clear about your limits: “My coaching hours are [X-Y]. Let’s find a time within that.” → Offer solutions: “If evenings work better, I can recommend someone great who does late sessions.” Boundaries protect your time and energy. 🚪 It’s not about saying no - it’s about finding a yes that works for both of you. Your clients will respect you more for it. Promise. 💡 How do you handle tricky situations like this? Let’s discuss!

Handling after-hours clients? 🚦 Set clear boundaries upfront — let them know your "work hours zone." 🕰️ For emergencies, I offer a backup plan or prioritize urgent needs 📌, but for non-urgent stuff, a polite *"I'll get back to you first thing tomorrow"* does the trick! 💌 Bonus: Use auto-replies or scheduled emails to show you're on it without sacrificing downtime. Work-life balance = happy me, better service! 😊

Imagine you're a gardener nurturing your beautiful garden. One day, a neighbour asks you to tend their garden at night, but you know your plants need care in daylight hours. Gently explain, “I care deeply about helping you, but I must honour my garden first—let’s find a time that works during the day so I can give you my best.”

I can tell you that while it may be SUPER tempting to bow to every client ask, especially if you *need* the work and the paycheck, 90% of clients will come to your sessions during business hours. However, if you enjoy working after hours, and have no problem with it, of course, go ahead, but even the most well meaning and dear to you clients will try to take advantage of being able to work their full work day, and then come see you for an appointment after hours. Ultimately, you must get your list of priorities, and if you find yourself missing dinner, a family event, a work out class; then it’s not going to to be a good situation in the long run for anyone, and your clients want you to be healthy and happy too.

Address the emotionality: many clients, and parents of clients for those who work with children perceive themselves to be in a crisis and perceive therapy to be the solution to that crisis. Due to this feeling of crisis they may lose the ability to rationally remember I am a human being with life outside of work, and cannot serve them outside of work hours even if that is when they are best available. I Validate that my unavailability is not a reflection of not understanding the severity of their crisis, and that my holding of boundaries to this schedule is not a reflection of not wanting to serve them, but wanting to ensure I can serve all my clients by ensuring I am caring for myself as well.

Right from the beginning. If the first session starts getting out of hand regarding time, I kindly remind my client, that I have other appointments or commitments.