ADHD Coaching FAQs
1. What is ADHD coaching?
It’s a forward-focused, structured process, involving a collaborative partnership which empowers people with ADHD to transform their lives with unconditional acceptance, in gaining an awareness of their unique strengths, and overcoming challenges.
We have conversations that empower you to figure out what you want, what’s stopping you from achieving that, and how to break it down into actions to implement it. The real work is done by you in implementing the actions between sessions, which can become experiments: learning what works and what doesn’t in a judgement free zone.
It’s like building a house, where coaching is the scaffolding to support you in getting the frameworks in place. Once the strategies that work for you have clicked, you don’t need me anymore - the responsibility lies with you. My job is to work myself out of a job.
2. Is it the same as therapy?
No. Whereas therapy is about answering the ‘why’ questions (e.g why did X happen?), coaching is about the ‘who’, ‘what’, and ‘how’ questions. Therapy is important for processing emotions and feelings, whereas coaching is more forward focused – it’s focused on outcomes, and tangible change.
Therapy is also thought of as a more ongoing, potentially lifelong process, whereas coaching usually tends to be for a time-limited period, such as a few weeks or months.
3. How is ADHD coaching different from normal coaching?
ADHD coaching offers expertise knowledge of this unique neurodevelopmental condition and how this applies to a coaching context. A few examples include:
‘Pills don’t give skills’: coaching can help with implementing strategies of how to use the potential benefits gained from medication, diagnosis or ADHD-awareness. For example, if you’re suddenly able to focus with medication, this helps you choose what to focus on.
‘Doing what you know’: a coach with ADHD expertise understands how to activate an ADHD brain to its full potential – for example, extra preparation with accountability, implementing actions, and overall engagement.
‘Maybe it’s not my fault’: we can offer understanding, education and compassion. It’s very empowering for a person with ADHD to understand their unique neurodiversity, and to replace shame with self-compassion and responsibility. Knowing that certain experiences are a ‘normal’ part of ADHD helps a lot with understanding them and being able to identify ways of asking for help, such as reasonable adjustments.
‘Name it to tame it’: ADHD can often show up in different ways which may not be apparent to neurotypical coaches, such as with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. We can offer specific strategies and exercises to address the underlying causes of challenges and help people learn about themselves.
Reaching your limitless potential: ADHD coaching can be useful for everyone to understand how it works and how to get the best out of people who have it. This could also include people who don’t have ADHD themselves, such as a manager of an employee with ADHD.
4. What can ADHD coaching help with?
Everything! Some examples of things I’ve coached people on include:
· Organisation / executive functioning: establishing daily routines & healthy habits, time management, getting ‘boring’ chores done, prioritizing, dealing with distractions / procrastination, and deep cleaning the house (which was said to be harder than getting a Master’s degree!).
· Work (employees, self-employed & unemployed people): in general, how to work int he most effective & happy way. This has included: improving relationships with colleagues, talking about ADHD at work / identifying & asking for reasonable adjustments, overcoming specific challenges such as bullying, meeting deadlines, project management, dealing with demanding workloads, considering career options, identifying strengths, skills & talents, interview practice, delegation, and coping with stress. Access to Work can fund 100% of ADHD coaching for employees.
Studying (school & university students): managing studies, setting routines, structuring essays, identifying how they learn best & potential reasonable adjustments tailored to them, and considering future career options. One teenager said it was much more useful than the careers service at school!
Emotional regulation: improving self-esteem, self-confidence, body-image, overcoming Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, emotional ‘flooding’ / mood swings, co-dependency, people pleasing, loneliness, and general engagement with people who do / do not have ADHD.
Physical health: relaxation, sleep, overcoming addictions such as alcohol and smoking, observing the effects of medication, implementing healthy habits such as regular exercise and cooking meals.
Everything else! Being an ADHD coach is never boring, because everyone comes with such incredibly unique and amazing stories – every day is different!
5. Should I get a coach?
Coaching can be extremely helpful for anyone, but ultimately, it has to come from YOU. You only get out of it as much as you put in, which is why it’s really important to find a coach that you click with.
If you have something you want in your life – a goal, a change, a challenge you’re facing – then coaching can be incredible, regardless of whether or not you have ADHD. I’ve coached people who don’t have ADHD, and it works just the same.
Everyone can benefit from a moment to pause, step back and figure out what they really want out of their life. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t want to change and improve something – but often their habits are not matching their intentions. My job is to help them change that to fulfil their long-term goals and dreams.
Book a free introductory call with me here to learn more.