Whether you’ve just received an ADHD diagnosis or you’re well into your ADHD journey, ADHD coaching can be an extremely useful tool at any stage. An ADHD coach is a trained professional who helps you to build techniques and strategies that help to reduce the impact your ADHD symptoms have on your daily life.

ADHD coaching can work in a variety of situations. Those who feel they may have ADHD but want to avoid medication may find it helps them with daily activities such as work and important life commitments. Some may find it helps to use an ADHD coach alongside medication, if they are particularly struggling with one aspect of their condition and others may find that ADHD coaching works best for them by dipping in and out of their services, using them when life feels particularly difficult or pre-empting a stressful situation. 

What is ADHD Coaching?

When we think about coping with ADHD, whether that be help with time management, focus, stress management, or impulse control, we automatically think of assessment, diagnosis, and medication as the result, and sometimes that medication stage is stuck for life. The good news is that with the right help, ADHD can be treated and managed in many ways, one of them being ADHD coaching.

ADHD coaching can be likened to CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), a form of psychotherapy that works to change thinking and reaction to situations. ADHD coaching focuses on building practical strategies and techniques to deal with everyday tasks that are made harder by symptoms of ADHD.

Coaching is usually undertaken in a one-on-one setting, either in person or virtually, with an ADHD coach who will work with you to fully understand you and your ADHD and help you build positive behaviours and problem-solving techniques. ADHD coaching can also be taken in groups, where a coach will lead the session, but the shared experiences of the group can help to build confidence and create a greater sense of support through difficult experiences.

What Specifically Can ADHD Coaching Help With?

•  Strengthen focus.

• Time management.

• Motivation and prioritisation.

• Establishing relationships.

• Strategic planning and perspective.

• Development of communication skills.

• Self-awareness and personal value.

• A better understanding of ADHD.

• Regulating emotions.

• Finding a lifestyle balance e.g., sleep, exercise, nutrition, home maintenance, finances, etc.

• Memory improvement.

ADHD Coaching Methods.

 The coaching methods used by ADHD coaches will vary from coach to coach but also from session setting. Some coaching techniques that work well in a one-to-one, face-to-face setting may not work as well if that session was held over Zoom or in a group coaching session. Some methods used are:

• Goal setting.

• Planning and scheduling.

• Problem-solving.

• Impulse control.

• Stress management.

• Confidence and self-esteem building.

• Homework activities.

Who Can Benefit from ADHD Coaching?

As mentioned previously, ADHD coaching can be used alongside medication and other ADHD treatments or be used solely on its own, however, coaching works best if the person undertaking it has a good amount of awareness of their ADHD and feels they are ready to make a change. Therefore, adults with ADHD would ideally have been through assessment and diagnosis and understand their own mental health history before undergoing ADHD coaching.

Children with ADHD can also find it beneficial to see an ADHD coach, this could be in a school setting or privately and with parents in attendance. The coach can help support the child with education alongside ADHD and help to expand their knowledge and how it affects them. 

Lastly, parents or guardians of children with ADHD can also benefit from ADHD coaching, as it can be difficult to navigate the ups and downs of a child with ADHD and extra support may be needed in parenting a child with the condition. Coaching parents and caregivers can also help them to learn more about ADHD and find new ways to approach situations with more understanding and empathy. 

Finding the Right ADHD Coach for You.

It’s important to note that anyone can start a coaching practice and finding the right coach for you is one of trial and error. Some coaches are professionally trained and certified by the ICF (International Coach Federation), so it’s important to do your research and ensure that the right kind of care is given before working with an ADHD coach. 

Mental health training is also an important factor in finding the right ADHD coach for you, as mental health is so heavily impacted by the condition. There are licensed mental health professionals who focus solely on ADHD coaching, or those that include it as part of their practice. There are also certified teachers and degree-holding professionals who hold an ADHD coaching practice within educational settings and lastly, there are ADHD coaches who hold no licenses in mental health. Each type of coach will have varying costs involved so finding the right coach for you is paramount, which is why understanding your ADHD and how it impacts you is the best place to start before seeking ADHD coaching.

Ask the Right Questions.

To gain a better understanding of help given by an ADHD coach and how they operate, there is a list of questions below that could help in deciding if a coach is right for you.

• How long have you coached?

• How many patients do you currently treat?

• What is your educational background?

• Are you certified by any coaching organisations?

• Are you part of any professional ADHD coaching organisations?

• Are you licensed in providing mental health support?

• What fees are involved in your services?

Finding an ADHD Coach: Where do I start?

 If you are looking for ADHD coaching services that are in person, then a local mental health provider should be able to recommend coaches in your area, alternatively, if you would prefer to look at virtual coaching then online resources like ADHD Coaches UK, the ICF (International Coach Federation), or the ADHD Coaches Organisation should be of help. 

How a Specialist ADHD Clinic Can Help 

If you are at the beginning of your ADHD journey, Beyond Clinic offers a comprehensive, multi-professional assessment for children, adolescents, and adults who may have ADHD. Our diagnostic team all have specialist experience in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD and our service far surpasses the speed and level of care that you will find elsewhere.

Our ADHD treatment pathway options include finding the right medication if required and conducting regular reviews as part of your bespoke programme, psychological support from an ADHD psychiatrist, diet, and nutritional approaches to management and ADHD coaching. Our ADHD coaching provides positive help and support from our specialist ADHD coaches including modules, group work, and one-to-one sessions. 

Our treatment plans at Beyond can help you to live a happier and healthier life, so if you want to speak to Beyond Clinic’s friendly team about obtaining an ADHD assessment or about ADHD treatment plans, you can get in touch here.