Free Coaching Client Intake Template — new clients

Quick answer

Collect a new coaching client's goals, background and preferences in one structured intake, so the first session starts from understanding instead of paperwork.

Note: this page is for process reference only. Coaching is not therapy or medical care; store intake answers privately and handle sensitive background per your confidentiality policy.

Methodology: intake sections follow the common structure of professional coaching discovery conversations.

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About this template

The first five minutes of a coaching relationship set its tone. This intake form gathers a new client's goals, current situation, work and family context, preferred style and practical logistics in one structured pass, so the coach arrives at session one prepared, asks better questions and spends the session on the client — not on collecting basics.

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Template at a Glance

Template	New Coaching Client Intake Form
Category	Coaching & Consulting
Format	New client intake form
Time to complete	About 7 minutes per response
What you get	Structured, timestamped responses you can review, export or keep for audit
Best for	Coaches onboarding a first-time client
Cost	Free to copy and customize on FormLM

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What's Included

Everything you need to run this template.

1

Goals & motivations

What the client wants and why now.

2

Life & work context

Role, team, family and current pressures.

3

Style preferences

Feedback rhythm, challenge level, format.

4

Logistics

Availability, channel and package intent.

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How It Works

From copy to deliverable in four steps.

1

Use this template

Copy it into your onboarding flow.

2

Client fills it in

They answer before the first session.

3

Coach prepares

Read the picture, plan the opening.

4

Start with substance

Session one begins from goals.

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Who Is This For

Pick your role — see how it fits your workflow.

1

Life & executive coaches

Open every engagement prepared.

2

Coaching practices

Standardize onboarding across coaches.

3

Clients

Feel heard from the first minute.

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Key Features

What makes this template work as a professional deliverable.

Goal and motivation prompts
Context and pressure sections
Style and pace preferences
Scheduling and channel fields
Plain, respectful language
One-click copy and reuse

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Sample Questions Inside

A preview of real questions — the full version lets you customize every field.

What would you like to accomplish together? (open)
Why is this important right now? (open)
What is going on in work and life today? (open)
How do you like to receive feedback? (choice)
What has held you back so far? (open)
Which days and times work for sessions? (open)
Anything you would rather not discuss? (open)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the intake form the same as a discovery call?

No — the form captures the factual picture asynchronously, so the discovery call can spend its time on chemistry and goals.

How sensitive should intake questions go?

Keep to context the coaching work needs; anything clinical belongs to a health professional, not this form.

Can it be used before a paid package starts?

Yes — many coaches send it after the first conversation and before session one.

Is it free to reuse?

Yes. Copy it into your FormLM workspace for each new client.

Where do the answers live?

In your private workspace — clients are not shown each other's intake, and you control sharing.

Why collect intake before the first session?

A prepared coach asks sharper questions, and clients experience being heard immediately — both raise engagement and completion rates.

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Related coaching templates

Coaching Confidentiality and Informed Consent Form Life Wheel Balance Assessment Values Clarification Assessment Signature Strengths Assessment GOAP Goal Setting Worksheet Wellbeing and Background Intake Form