Isn’t coaching basically therapy?

Nope. It’s different from therapy. Both are beneficial.

Coaching is about the ‘now what?’ part of self-discovery. It helps people improve self, situational and relational awareness and then build a scaffold of support for their life. This guides you to develop strategies that improve alignment in every aspect of life: at school, on the job, relaxing among family and friends or alone in your head- all these will benefit from a well-attuned coaching relationship.
A coach will help you observe your own habits and thinking patterns, and gently monitor steps forward leading to real change.
Change happens in community, starting with an insightful, non-judgemental human that can truly relate to your perspective.
We are all so much more alike than we realize.

Is ADHD coaching even a legit thing?

Yes.
The benefits of coaching for ADHD has been well documented.
Take a moment and see for yourself what is being said about how ADHD coaching could be beneficial for you.

Widely respected as an expert in the field, and one of my favorite to nerd out on, see what Dr. Russell Barkley has said on this topic:

https://youtu.be/8LgDv4NLPDo?si=it42tdfevv1qq7gL



What is a ‘trauma-informed’ coach? Sounds fancy.

In short, being trauma-informed has to do with an approach. It is an awareness that life experiences stay with and shape us all, to varying degrees. This helps a coach to listen insightfully, empathetically and offer more fitting observations and questions for reflection.



What qualifies you to coach anyone?

Good question.
There is no governing body over this industry, no licensure to be had, so you are smart to be discerning.
There are a few organizations self-appointed in setting certain standards for coach training, and a code of ethics. Some offer accreditation and endorsement for graduate coaches.

As for me, I began digging into ADHD around 2016, reading and listening and watching whatever I could find. Initially I recognized ADHD symptoms in some people close to me. Reading the book Driven to Distraction by Dr Ned Hallowell was eye-opening as I saw myself in its pages!
Surprise, formal diagnosis soon followed.

In 2019 I found an anchor in the
I Have ADHD Podcast with Kristen Carder.
Look her up. She’s a real one.

Just as the world fell apart in 2020 a new lifeline was formed in Kristen’s community for adults with ADHD.
I figured I would try it for a bit, and never looked back. Watching others be coached was fascinating and surprisingly helpful even when I didn’t expect to have much in common.
June 2024 I completed a comprehensive 6 month training, passed exams and was certified as an ADHD Coach.
The skills I’d learned in my personal life, prior mentorships and years behind the salon chair, really paved the way for a shift into coaching. After certification, I began coaching community members within Focused, an online group for adults with ADHD. I love every minute, and have tallied hundreds of hours guiding ADHDers to more insight and peace within themselves.



Did you know some coach training courses can be completed in a weekend for the price of a burrito?!

Let me assure you that is not the path I took.
Storytime:
As a loyal listener of the I Have ADHD Podcast and 4 years participating actively
in the “Focused” group-coaching community,
I was psyched to apply to Kristen Carder’s third cohort of coach trainees.
Advanced degrees are held by many of my peers here and I was pleased by the many positive remarks about the high-quality content and structure of the course.
The cohort groups were under 20 students, instruction was live with Kristen each week.
We had weekly peer coaching requirements to be met both in group and 1:1.
This was not a coach-factory situation by any means.
From day one we put our learning to work with peers, wobbly as we were, it was exciting and challenging.
We were on our way and expertly supported every step.
Certification exams came only after months of coursework and practice.
I had to go through my exam stage twice. Yup, nobody got a free pass just for paying tuition and showing up.
Most ADHDers identify as life-long learners. This coursework and the hundreds of hours coaching 1:1 has been one of the most interesting and satisfying things I have ever done.
With Zoom, I can offer this service to ADHDers anywhere in the world.

How long does coaching take?

Each session will be 50 minutes, generally once a week.
Naturally, progress will vary from person to person. Usually, the first session offers some ‘aha!’ moments.
I offer both short-term and extended coaching packages to meet you wherever you are on your ADHD journey.

Many people find that momentum builds and a 3 month program offers the best support for lasting change.