Safeguarding & Crisis Support

Supporting your emotional and physical wellbeing is at the heart of my work.

This page outlines how safeguarding works in coaching, what I can and cannot offer, and where to turn if you need immediate support.

This guidance applies to all coaching services delivered under Sabrina Ahmed and Moving Forward After Loss, operated by Open Introvert Ltd.

What Coaching Can (and Cannot) Provide

My coaching supports you to:

  • process high-functioning burnout, hidden grief or losses in a grounded and safe way

  • build resilience, clarity and self-trust

  • reconnect with confidence, identity and emotional capacity

  • strengthen behavioural, emotional and mindset skills

  • develop habits and practices that support your wellbeing

  • improve physical function and experience

Coaching is not:

  • therapy or counselling

  • a substitute for mental health treatment

  • crisis support

  • medical, psychological or psychiatric care

I cannot diagnose, treat or manage mental health conditions.

Coaching works alongside other support, not instead of it.

Confidentiality & Safeguarding

Everything you share is treated with care and respect.

However, confidentiality may need to be broken if:

  • I believe you or someone else is at serious or imminent risk of harm

  • I am legally required to share information (e.g. court order)

  • illegal activity is disclosed

Where possible, I will talk to you about this before taking action.

If You Are in Crisis or Need Immediate Help

Coaching is not appropriate in acute distress or emergency situations.

If you are struggling to stay safe or are at risk of harming yourself or others, please contact:

  • NHS 111 (option 2) – urgent mental health support

  • Samaritans: 116 123 – free 24/7 emotional support

  • Your GP

  • Your local crisis team

  • 999 – if you or someone else is in immediate danger

If you are outside the UK, please contact your local equivalent emergency service or crisis helpline.

A list of urgent mental health support lines in the UK can be found at:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

When Coaching May Not Be Suitable Right Now

Coaching may not be the right fit if:

  • you are in acute crisis

  • you feel unable to engage in reflection or action

  • you require clinical assessment or diagnosis

  • your primary need is stabilisation rather than exploration

  • you are experiencing symptoms that require mental health treatment

In these cases, I may gently recommend pausing coaching until the appropriate support is in place.

My Responsibility to You

I aim to:

  • offer a grounded, safe, compassionate space

  • stay within my scope of practice

  • be transparent about boundaries

  • signpost you to other support when appropriate

  • use supervision to maintain ethical practice

Your safety, dignity and agency always come first.

Your Responsibility as a Client

You agree to:

  • communicate openly about your emotional state

  • seek additional support if I recommend it

  • contact emergency services if you feel unsafe

  • let me know if something changes that affects your ability to participate in coaching

  • take responsibility for your wellbeing and actions outside sessions

Coaching is a collaborative partnership - we navigate it together.

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about safeguarding, boundaries or your suitability for coaching, please contact me here.

You deserve support that fits your needs, and I’m here to help you navigate what that looks like.