TERMS OF SERVICE

CRISIS STATUS WARNING

The YOUR STORY project is NOT a crisis intervention program! If you need help, please contact appropriate emergency services!

By continuing with registration, you are declaring you are mentally well and not in need of crisis intervention services. You understand that YOUR STORY is a research and development project and DIY coaching services can be found here, making coaches and / or counselor collaboration a separate service.

Use of the YOUR STORY social media platform requires you to be self-motivated, and self-managed while intereacting with staff and other members. We do not monitor this platform 24/7. We are a research and development team during the start up phases.

By registering for membership on this site, you are acknowledging you are NOT in crisis, NOT homicidal, NOT suicidal and NOT abusing anyone, and that you agree this is NOT a crisis intervention site.

Dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

ACCESS TO SITE

You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the YOUR STORY project.

This Terms of Service policy is the first step in getting access to our experimental YOUR STORY personal growth platform. Completion of the registration form means that you agree to the terms in this policy, and you acknowledge this policy will be changed periodically, as this site is developed.

Agreement to these terms is required in order to join this site either as an observer, or for participating in the coaching sessions, courses, and other components of this project.

BIBLE BASED

YOUR STORY is a Bible-based coaching platform. It is also hopeful that it becomes an empirical evidenced-based counseling platform. YOUR STORY is developed by LSM Outreach.

Bible based means that we use the Bible (the book that contains accounts from Genesis to Revelation) as our inspiration for our coaching and counseling material. All of our YOUR STORY platform components, including our sessions, worksheets, courses, lessons, plans, homework assignments, and other components are based on scripture found in the Bible.

When referencing God, we may be using YHWH, or Yahweh, or other names mentioned in the Bible as His name. We view the term ‘God’ as a title and not His name, however, when we use God in our teachings, we are referring to YHWH. We believe there is one God. (~ 1 Corinthians 8:6 ~)

When referencing Jesus, we may be using Yeshua, Savior, Lord, or other names mentioned in the Bible as His name. We believe that Yeshua is the Son of YHWH and that He died for the sins of mankind and was risen and is seated at the right hand of YHWH. We believe that there is one Lord. (~ 1 Corinthians 8:6 ~)

When referencing the Holy Spirit, we may be using Ruach Hakodesh or other names mentioned in the Bible as His name. We believe Ruach Hakodesh is the promised Helper that Yeshua spoke of that would be sent when He returned to be seated at the right hand of YHWH. (~ John 16:7 ~)

We believe the Bible explains the origin of creation, and we adopted this worldview based on the observation that mankind has yet to reach the innumarable galaxies we can see through the most powerful telescope known to man. We are unable to stop the death process, nor can we fully understand all that is created. Mankind explores, studies, and tests theories, in an effort to understand creation. We are very much aware that the Universe can not be explored in its entirety, and therefore, are unable to explain something so grand and be certain of it, since we are unable to explore, and interact with everything we can see. Therefore, the staff of LSM Outreach adopt the explanation to our limited knowledge, and theories can be found in the Bible; and that by obervation of creation, we are without excuse, but to believe that someone greater than us created what we can observe. (~ Romans 1:19-20 ~)

Our approach to coaching, and in the future, possibly counseling; is considered hybrid because we utilize several techinques, including Bible study and research, testing theories, teaching, coaching, counseling, mentoring, consulting, and prayer. We don’t believe humans have a ‘one size fits all’ approach in helping people make changes in their lives.

Our coaches, counselors, and supporting staff will be utilizing experimental worksheets, workshops, courses, lessons, conversations, and other components of the YOUR STORY platform, that are designed around the Biblical principals for personal growth, business development, and project management.

You understand that by registering on this site, or interacting with any features of our platform, that you are aware of, and accept the use of the Bible as our main source for inspiration in developing our programs.

Should you desire another approach to coaching, counseling, or research and development for your life’s experiences; our private practice will not be a good fit.

Our team may not be able to continue being your coach or counselor, using the YOUR STORY platform, if your request is that they separate Scripture from the client/coach or client/counselor relationship with you.

This is because they will be utilizing the YOUR STORY platform, within the credentials of their training, which is Bible-based.

We acknowledge, cherish, and encourage the autonomy each person has been gifted with, to choose whatever coaching or counseling program is more suited to their needs. We are committed to your personal growth journey regardless of where you are on your journey. If at any time you decide our platform is not a good fit for your needs, you may cancel your membership, (free, or paid), at any time.

We understand there are many views concerning religion, coaching, counseling, the Bible, and everything discussed in the Bible; and that there are many worldviews and opinions.

There are billions of people on earth, each with their own experiences, belief system, values, thoughts, opinions, and how they function in life. Therefore, it is impossible for LSM Outreach to be a good fit for everyone.

When registering on our platform, you agree that the use of the Bible as our coaching and counseling approach are not negotiatable. We can not incorporate other religious books and beliefs into our teachings and coaching practices.

We are a private company and its founders and staff exercise our rights to develope our coaching and counseling platform based on the Bible, which we view as imperical evidence.

The coaching and counseling industry has many types of plans that are used to help clients, whether in established or in experimental stages. If a Bible-based plan doesn’t fit your needs, then due diligence on your part, to find a plan that is a good fit for you, is the better approach instead of registering here.

If this is not your preference as a coaching and/or counseling platform, you may still join this site, however, we will not tolerate abuse by anyone who joins to disrupt our community, or at a later time, becomes distruptive.

COACHING VS COUNSELING

There are currently no counselors available at this time. We are developing the coaching platform first.

This first season is based on the life of Colleen Crawford, the founder of YOUR STORY, and her journey to become a Bible-based coach. Season 1 is about the exploration of, understanding of, and development of what some highly sensitive people may experience; concerning thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and how they fit into an environement that is different for approximately 20% of the United States population.

It is through Colleen’s experiences that the YOUR STORY platform idea was born, and season 1 is about developing a personal growth plan that uses Biblical principals to overlay on her experiences, in the hopes that the Bible is the source for undoing deeply rooted thoughts that are in conflict with what the Bible teaches.

Season 1 is also about the exploration and discovery phase of YOUR STORY. This platform is not based on established coaching or counseling methods. You acknowledge that this platform is being developed and YOUR STORY is an experiment only; without a gaurantee that it will be accepted in the coaching or counseling industry.

Our headquarters are located in the state of Tennessee, in The United States. Under Tennessee law, coaches are not permitted to do the work of a licensed counselor.

Should there be an interest, by licensed counselors, in the YOUR STORY development processes, we will be adding counselors in future development phases; however, at this time, your participation in this platform is restricted to to the pilot program ‘The Making of a Coach.’ This means that:

Coaching Industry – Is a non-regulated industry that does not require certification. Unlike counseling, which is regulated, a person can call themselves a coach without formal training or certification.
Scope – Ethical coaches are required to inform you when topics you want to discuss fall outside of the coaching scope and would require a licensed counselor to work with you. LSM Outreach can not counsel you.
Referrals – Our founding coach and support staff are not able to refer you to another coach or to a counselor should LSM Outreach not be a good fit for you. This is a global platform and it is impossible for our staff to have knowledge around the world about who might be able to work with you. Due diligence means that you are responsible for taking the steps you need to take in order to find the right person to work with you, according to your needs, and the legalities where you reside or visit.
YOUR STORY is the work of one person, based on her life’s experiences, and is not endorced by any counseling governing board in any country, state, or providence; nor does it involve a counselor even though the topics within ‘The Making of a Coach’ and what the founder shares may be in the scope of what a counselor would deal with. The founder is willfully sharing her life experiences for the purpose of developing the YOUR STORY platform.

JOINING SITE IS NOT A CONTRACT

Whatsyourstory.me a.k.a YOUR STORY is a social media site for people who want to use the Bible as a tool for making changes in their lives. Registration on this site does not mean you are agreeing to be coached or counseled. You are participating in a development platform.

Should you desire coaching (or counseling services in future phases), a separate agreement will be required and an intake process will take place.

Again, If you participate in the YOUR STORY platform during the development phases, you acknowledge that this is an experiment only, and the outcome is not yet known.

You are welcome to join this platform as an observer only, or a participant in any of the free or paid versions of this platform.

DRAFTS / TEMP FILES / TECHNICAL ISSUES

YOUR STORY is in the research and development phase. Our platform may change as we learn about what works and doesn’t work with respect to:

Coaching plans, including sessions, worksheets, tutorials, support, and other components of our program. This experiment is based on one person’s story, and their quest to study the Bible, develop a coaching plan, and a social media platform that is Bible-based.
The technology we use, such as WordPress, plugins, streaming software, and other solutions we use to develop, run, and maintain this site will have glitches along the way in developing this platform. We have a trouble ticket system, so if you find something wrong, please let us know so we can address the issues.
Terms of Use, privacy policy, courses, lessons, coaching sessions, and all compontents of the YOUR STORY platform are being developed, and may be distributed in draft format for your review; then modifications will be made based on what works and what doesn’t work.

EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT & INFORMED CONSENT

Theory

The theory being tested is that people are micro stories within the bigger story YHWH (God) tells in the Bible; and that there is hope for people who have deeply rooted thoughts because of past and current experiences.

We are exploring the Bible as the empirical evidence to create a coaching plan.

At the time of these terms being added to our site, and to the best of our knowledge, the mental health governing body (National Board for Certified Counselors) does not recognize the Bible as empirical evidence.

Coaching is an unregulated industry in the United States; however, we strive to create an ethical and professional environment here.

We are developing a hybrid coaching and potential counseling platform, and your participation in this site is used for research and development. Please DO NOT register on this site if you don’t want to participate in a non-regulated coaching industry; nor an experimental counseling program, if we decide to add a counseling branch of YOUR STORY.

By registering on this site, you have given us informed concent to participate in the project, and collaborate with us; whether you use the community service, coaching sessions, worksheets, courses, webinars, workshops, or other components of YOUR STORY.

Purpose of this experiment

This Website, and the coaching plan being developed, is for an experimental project that consists of the study of Biblical principles, wisdom, knowledge, and examples of stories within; and the effect of said information from the Bible when it is applied to thoughts, emotions, behaviors, outcomes, consequences, and circumstances that today’s people might desire learning from so they can make changes in their own lives.

This is for educational purposes in the development of coaching plans in the initial development stages. In later stages, we hope to also develop counseling plans.

Our mission

Our current mission is to coach, and in the future, to counsel people, using the Bible as our source of evidence to help people learn about, and make changes to thoughts, emotions, behaviors, outcomes, consequences, and circumstances.

You acknowledge that what you share on this site will be used to help us develop courses, coaching, and counseling plans within the scope of our mission; using the Bible as a measuring stick to help people make changes in their lives.

Should the direction you desire to take be in conflict with our Biblical mission, we reserve the right to decide that we are not a good fit for each other; just as you have the right to decide we are not a good fit for you. Autonomy is a gift, and because we are a private entity, we are not subjected to Federal rules that we have to coach certain topics that are in conflict with Biblical views.

Participation in this project is on a volunteer basis and you have the right to reject our approach if you so desire.

It is impossible for us to know every coach and counselor, and what their standards are across the globe, so therefore, we are unable to make referral suggestions.

It is up to you to do due diligence to search for a coach or counselor that is a good fit for you.

Limits of confidentially, and HIPAA

This is NOT a HIPAA compliant site. Anything you share on this platform could be seen by others. We use WordPress as our primary platform. This site functions as a social media site and like any other site, regardless of how secure it is, can be hacked by skilled people who wish to do harm, or as a challenge to them.

You agree to not share any information you deem strictly confidential.

We utilize 3rd-party solutions, such as WordPress, LifterLMS, BuddyBoss, and other software, in order to create a robust social media site and coaching platform.

We can not control who gains access to any information you share on this domain. We utilize hacker prevention software, but there is nothing in existence, that can prevent all forms of unwanted intrution.

Also, this is a community support system and what you share on this plaform, may be seen by others in the community unless you post something that is hidden from the community. Such as private messages, content you make available only to you, or to the admins.

Admins and coders have access to the database. Please keep in mind that what you share is kept on a database. We work with reputable companies that code and host; however, we can not control how they store their backups. Deleting something from our site; including your account, may have been backed up by a 3rd-party provider.

Right to withdraw

This project is not based on a contract. It is 100% volunteer participation. You have the right to withdraw from the project at any time, and for any reason. You have the right to delete your account at any time.

The anticipated consequences of withdrawing is that you may not be able to obtain a backup of your contributions to the community if you delete your account. In lieu of deleting your account, you can pause your membership and return if you change your mind. However, we will respect your request to delete your account entirely if you so desire.

The exception to deleting content is that we will cooperate with authorities should we be ordered to turn over content in the event something was added to our site unlawfully, or to do harm to yourself or others.

Participants’ rights to decline to participate and to withdraw from the research once it has started, as well as the anticipated consequences of doing so.

Refunds

There are no refunds for the yearly membership plan. You are given a free trial to test the community features and gain access to content that is restricted to this membership.

Monthly memberships can be stopped at any time and you will have access to the remainder of the month; then your account will be put on pause, unless you delete your account.

Coaching sessions are paid prior to the session. If you give a 24 hour notice that you can’t attend the session, then your account will have a credit; or you can request a refund. There are no refunds for a no call, no show situation. You will forfeit the cost of the sesson you didn’t show up to; however, if you purchased sessions on a recurring basis; the upcoming sessions will not be forfeited.

Prospective research benefits

Our coaching plan is designed to give you a measuring stick, so to speak, from which you can look back to see how you have changed over the course of research, development, an application of courses, coaching, and other interactions in this program.

Due to the fact that prospective studies follow individuals over time; and data is collected during the studies, your results may vary, depending on the circumstances you were going through when you began this project; compared to changes in circumstances during the course of this project.

It is recommended that you save the results of your worksheets, surveys, and other interactions, so you compare the results over time. What works for one person might not work for others; so you are encouraged to let your coach, mentor or other staff know when something isn’t resonating with you, or isn’t helping you.

Feedback fuels improvements and it gives us the opportunity to address things that aren’t working, or are not giving you the results you hoped for.

Incentives for participation

The development nature of this project enables us to offer a considerable reduction in fees in comparison to established coaching programs.

You will be considered founding members of what could be a very fun approach to making lasting changes in your life. As a co-creator, you can look back at the start up stages of YOUR STORY, and know you helped shape the direction of a concept and platform that could benefit many people.

Another incentive is that you get behind the scenes information before a project is finalized and offered to the public. You’ll get to see how the development takes place, and what processes are considered, tested, rejected, or adopted; and why.

You can submit feedback that will help us improve our program, and you get to have a lot of free coaching, just through the process of developing this platform! Coaches can charge hundreds or thousands of dollars for their platforms. If you stay for a whole season, you will have invested only $45 into 6 months worth of videos, worksheets, workshops, webinars, and being part of a community that is seeking after the same thing you are. That is, to renew your life through the Bible and a relationship with your Creator, and others who are on a similar journey as you are.

The public version of this platform is $20 / month when it becomes an established DIY coaching platform.

Coaching pods, when this program is open to the public, are $25 per session, but as a founding member, you’ll only pay $12 per session if you choose to be coached. You may only want the experience of going through the development phases with a DIY approach, using the worksheets and lessons. Introverts especially are nortorious for just wanting to learn something, and then they are off to their comfort zone to process information, instead of going to group coaching sessions. Either way, you save money as a DIY founding member, or getting coaching sessions.

Potential risks, discomfort, or adverse effects

Our niche is working with highly sensitive people; however, discussions may include sensitive topics that might have a negative affect on some people.

Please be aware that topics such as gaslighting, bullying, and other harmful behaviors may be part of someone’s story they are working through as they participate in the YOUR STORY platform.

Due the nature of YOUR STORY being an experient, there is no gaurantee that the coaching approach will help you. You assume the risks of partipating in an experimental project that may or may not be of benefit to you.

Expected duration & procedures

This project was made public in November of 2022, and the first season projected to last until May, 2023. During this time, we will be working on the following:

infrastructure of the site,
free community called The Waiting List,
a yearly paid membership for the community features,
a monthly paid membership for The Making of a Coach,
coaching pods – a hybrid approach to coaching that is coach led, but members also function as students, peer reviewers, mentors, or encouragement to other members. Procedures for coaching include Bible research and study, workshops, assignments, collaboration, tutorials/presentations, gamification, action plan progress reporting, mentoring, consulting, problem solving, and the study of psychology.

SEASONS AND DEVELOPMENT PHASES

Our development phases are created using seasons, because we use stories to develop coaching plans. A season can last between 2-6 months, (or longer) depending on what component of our plans are being developed.

Season 1, for example, is titled ‘The Making of a Coach’ and it specifically targets the study of highly sensitive people; their struggles, triumps, gifts, and coaching plan.

Seasonal projects that have completed before you join this site will still be available as pre-recorded phases and you will have access to all the files, videos, plans, worksheets, and other documents for as long as you are a member of the subscription plan that these archives belong to.

There is no drip release of content that would force you to go through the entire season at the same pace it was developed live. Feel free to binge watch all the videos, and take the courses at your own pace.

If we are in a new season of development, you’ll only be able to keep pace with the release of the program as we follow our development plan for that season.

We try to add new content each week, but because we are relying on the feedback and needs of people who are participating in this project, we may have to revisit a plan to integrate the suggestions, corrections, and technical trouble tickets presented to us. This could cause a delay in our developmental schedule. We also work with multiple coders and designers for the software infrastructure that makes up the framework of this site. We may have to put something on hold while they work on the code.

USERNAMES / NICKNAMES

LSM Outreach has the right to reject any registration nickname it deems unsuitable for its platform. The use of non-letter characters, in order to hide offensive nicknames, is not allowed. That is, using the number 1 as an L, or zero as an O, and so forth, in an attempt to bypass detection of offensive nicknames. Please select a nickname that is respectful.

and

PRIVACY POLICY

WHO WE ARE

Project Site: Our research and development project is called YOUR STORY, or What’s Your Story? and the address is: https://whatsyourstory.me.

Company: YOUR STORY is a project founded by Colleen Crawford, the CEO of LSM Outreach. LSM Outreach is a for profit corporation located in Heiskell, TN.

LIMITS OF CONFIDENTIALITY, AND HIPAA

You agree to not share any information you deem strictly confidential.

We utilize 3rd-party solutions, such as WordPress, LifterLMS, BuddyBoss, and other software, in order to create a robust social media site and coaching platform.

COMMENTS

When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address, and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.

MEDIA & ARTICLES & RECORDED SESSIONS

If you upload images to the website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.

Files you upload in brainstorming membership become a record within the site, because they are part of research and discovery.

Recorded workshops, webinars, brainstorming sessions, and other media created for this site become a record of the site and will not be removed should you decide to delete your account.

Please only participate in this project if you are okay with permanent records on this site; with the acception of what you post on your wall, and in private chats. That data can be removed by you any time.

COOKIES

If you leave a comment on our site you may opt-in to saving your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.

If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.

If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.

CONTENT FROM OTHER SITES

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.

These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.

WHO WE SHARE YOUR DATA WITH

If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email. This information is sent over the Internet via standard protocols established by your email provider, and by our hosting company.

If you interact with any of our affiliate links, you will be sharing data with 3rd party sites; including any payment information if you purchace anything from the affiliates.

Any data you place on this site may be stored in locations we don’t control, because we use several plugins that are managed by multiple developers. For instance, if you fill out a form, then FluentCRM, and FluentForms process the data, though the contents are stored on our database.

If you make data public, or within a private or controlled group, then other members of that group will be able to see what you post.

If you post to your wall then anyone you share your wall with will have access to that data.

Membership fees and other purchases that are not affiliate links are processed through Stripe.

HOW LONG WE RETAIN YOUR DATA

For users that register on our website, we store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.

What rights you have over your data

If you have an account on this site, or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also delete information you add in the comments, with the acception of recorded live stream chat rooms, webinars, workshop, and other recorded events.

We can not delete data that we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes. This also does not include anything listed above in other areas of the site.

This site is backed up on a regular basis and we can not permanently delete all information.