What is adhd coaching and how it can help

ADHD coaching can be a complementary treatment for some people with ADHD. Individual or group coaching can help with time management, task completion, and skill building, among other things.

While attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can have a positive effect on a person’s energy levels and creativity, it can also create challenges in other areas of life. People

with ADHD might have difficulty with certain tasks, such as responding to emails, meeting deadlines, or following instructions. ADHD coaching is a type of complementary treatment for ADHD to

help address some of these challenges. Read on to find out what it involves, as well as its benefits, effectiveness, and cost. What does an ADHD coach do? An ADHD coach is a trained

professional who works with teens and adults who have ADHD to address specific challenges. A coach can help develop and hone abilities in the following areas: ORGANIZATION • time management

• task and project management • workflow • prioritizing • keeping records • multitasking • organizing your home or office MANAGING EMOTIONS • improving self-esteem • reducing stress and

anxiety • personal empowerment DEVELOPING NEW SKILLS • communication and social skills • problem-solving • interpersonal conflict resolution • punctuality • public speaking • boundaries

ACHIEVING GOALS • healthy lifestyle • career success • household management • accountability • motivation ADHD COACHING CAN BE TAILORED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS The format of ADHD coaching depends

on both you and the coach. Many coaches are flexible and will tailor their services according to your needs. For example, you might meet with your ADHD coach in person once a week, with

regular email or text message check-ins to encourage accountability between sessions. Group sessions are also available. While they may not be as personalized as one-on-one coaching, the

upside is that they’re usually more affordable. You might also find it helpful to meet and exchange strategies with other people who have ADHD. ADHD COACHING VS. LIFE COACHING You can think

of an ADHD coach as being similar to a life coach. Both can help you maximize your potential. However, one key difference is that ADHD coaches have the knowledge and experience to help you

tackle challenges that are specific to ADHD. Many coaches even have ADHD themselves. As a result, they understand what it’s like to live with ADHD. What are the benefits of an ADHD coach?

The right coach can provide a lot of benefits. Here are two personal perspectives from people who have used ADHD coaching. ‘COACHING HELPED ME BE KINDER TO MYSELF’ “Even though I was taking

medication for my ADHD, I’d spent my entire life developing poor coping strategies,” explained Gia Miller, a freelance writer. “At 39 years old, I still lacked basic executive functioning

skills.” “With my ADHD coach’s guidance, I was able to organize my days, pay my bills on time, manage my finances, not miss important emails, better manage my time, and run a more successful

business,” she said. Miller was well-informed before she started working with a coach. Still, one of the unexpected benefits was education. “My ADHD coach helped me understand WHY I did

certain things. She also helped me be kinder to myself, something that can be hard to do with ADHD,” she said. Miller added that although coaching requires time and money, it’s absolutely

worth it. “It’s truly life changing,” she said. ‘MY DIFFERENCES ARE JUST DIFFERENCES, NOT SHORTCOMINGS’ For Susan Crumiller, the owner of a New York City-based feminist law firm, there are

only advantages to working with a coach. In her experience, accountability is the most important benefit. “Many things that are hard for most people come super easy to those of us with ADHD,

but the opposite is also true,” she says. “I rely on my coach to make sure I am staying on a good sleep schedule and exercising regularly.” She also credits her coach with helping her shift

her perception of ADHD. “I spent my whole life focusing on my shortcomings,” Crumiller says. “But those shortcomings are really just differences that don’t make me a bad person.” Now, she

sees her ADHD as the reason behind her success. Is ADHD coaching effective? Coaching is a relatively new form of treatment for ADHD. Though research is still limited, the outcomes seem

promising. A 2018 literature review analyzed 19 studies on ADHD coaching. The researchers reported that, in all of the studies, coaching was associated with improved ADHD symptoms and

executive functioning. Other reported benefits included participant well-being and satisfaction. Other research suggests that ADHD coaching can be effective at helping people achieve in both

school and work settings. Factors that might negatively affect coaching outcomes The authors of another 2018 literature review pointed out that although the results of ADHD coaching studies

have so far been positive, few studies have assessed the potential for negative outcomes. They identified three factors that could contribute to negative results: * inadequately trained

coaches * participants with coexisting mental health issues * low levels of participant readiness According to Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD), a nonprofit advocacy organization for

people with ADHD, stressful life circumstances and chronic illnesses may also affect the outcome of coaching. More research is needed in this area. Miller had similar concerns. “If you are a

person who struggles with controlling your emotions, especially your anger, then working with an ADHD coach to improve your executive functioning may not work,” she says. CHADD suggests

that in order to get the most out of coaching, clients must be prepared to admit to the challenges they face and put in the time and effort required to change their behavior. How do you find

and choose an ADHD coach? Since ADHD coaching isn’t regulated, anyone can call themselves an ADHD coach. That’s why it’s crucial to do your research when selecting one. Coaching also relies

on a strong rapport between coach and client. Be prepared to talk with a few different coaches to find the right fit. CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS Before you start looking for a coach, take some

time to think about your needs. Consider how you would prefer to engage with your coach (face-to-face, by telephone, or online) and whether you’d prefer a coach with a particular area of

expertise, such as entrepreneurialism, relationships, studying, or parenting. Remember that a coach can’t provide treatment for depression, anxiety, or substance use. Instead, seek

additional treatment for other mental health issues alongside coaching. COMPILE A LIST OF POTENTIAL COACHES Next, it’s time to start compiling a list of potential coaches. Some good places

to start include: * ADHD Coaches Organization * International Coaching Federation * Attention Deficit Disorder Association professional directory * CHADD professional directory * Edge

Foundation executive function coaching Spend some time reviewing the information provided on the coach’s website. If possible, narrow your search to five or fewer coaches to interview.

POTENTIAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR AN ADHD COACH Consider asking any of the following questions during your preliminary meeting with a potential coach: * What education and/or training do you

have? How does it influence your coaching practice? * Do you have specific training in ADHD coaching? * Do you have any certification(s)? * How long have you been an ADHD coach? * Do you

have experience working with special groups (e.g., teens, adults, college students) and/or issues (e.g., relationships, running a business, parenting)? * Do you have experience working with

coexisting mental health issues? Are you a licensed mental health professional (e.g., psychologist, counselor, social worker)? * What’s your approach to coaching? What methods do you use to

interact with clients (e.g., face-to-face, phone calls, etc.)? * Do you have a confidentiality and/or privacy policy? * What are your fees/rates? Do you require payment upfront? What forms

of payment do you accept? * Do you have any current or former clients who I can speak to as references? * Do you offer trial coaching sessions, and if so, what’s your fee? TAKE A TRIAL RUN

Be sure to take notes during your initial conversation. Remember that a professional ADHD coach should be forthcoming in answering all of your questions. Even if you’re satisfied with the

coach’s answers, a trial session is the best way to see whether a potential coach is a good fit. How much does ADHD coaching cost? The cost of ADHD coaching varies, but it’s generally

comparable to the cost of therapy or life coaching. One-hour sessions may range from $75 to $250, and sometimes more. WAYS TO OFFSET COSTS ADHD coaching is rarely covered by insurance.

However, there are some ways to offset or reduce the cost. Try one or more of the following: * Ask prospective coaches if they offer pro bono coaching or sliding scale fees. If they do, you

can pay a fee proportional to your income. * If you’re seeking coaching for career-related reasons, approach your organization’s human resources department to ask if they’ll cover a portion

of the cost. (Keep in mind this would expose your ADHD diagnosis to your employer, which some people may want to keep private.) * If you run a business and are seeking ADHD coaching to grow

as an entrepreneur, you may be able to claim a portion of the cost as a business expense. * You can claim your coach’s fee as a medical expense on your taxes if your doctor writes you a

prescription for ADHD coaching. * Look for group coaching sessions or online coaching sessions. The website ADD freeSources provides a list of resources for people with ADHD who can’t afford

one-on-one coaching. Takeaway Coaching can be an effective complementary treatment for ADHD. Benefits include increasing organization, achieving goals, and developing new skills. ADHD

coaching can be tailored to a person’s specific needs. Taking the time to choose the right coach can significantly affect how helpful you find the experience.