Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be holding you back from achieving your goals. Perhaps you are already trying out different ADHD medications, but these medications don’t support you with all your ADHD symptoms. In this case, you may then be looking for an adjunct treatment to support you with other ADHD symptoms. This could come in the form of a Blue Sky Learning coach.
Read on to discover more about ADHD coaching, the cost of ADHD coaching, and what to expect from ADHD coaching sessions.
What Is an ADHD Coach?
ADHD coaching is a form of life coaching that addresses the specific needs of ADHDers or those who have ADHD-like symptoms. Coaches are trained to help ADHDers of all ages to discover effective strategies for managing their ADHD symptoms and challenges, virtually or in person.
Neurodiversity-affirming ADHD coaches acknowledge your unique challenges and find solutions to effectively manage them while also uncovering your unique strengths. Ultimately, ADHD coaching is a collaboration between the ADHD coach and the ADHDer to work towards your goals.
In addition to ADHD coaching, you may also be referred to neurodivergent support groups and events in the community or for an ADHD assessment to make sure you are receiving holistic care for your ADHD.
What Situations Can an ADHD Coach Support ADHDers With?
Every ADHDer will have different challenges. The goal of any great coach is to provide an individualized and tailored plan that is unique to your goals.
Some of the challenges of ADHD that an ADHD coach may help you address include:
Planning and time management skills: setting priorities, creating to-do lists, keeping track of the time.
Difficulty making decisions and starting and completing tasks
Relationship issues: improving communication skills and building effective strategies for relationships
Chronic disorganization: keeping your workspace organized and clean.
Career guidance: switching jobs and finding neurodivergent-friendly jobs.
Financial management: learning how to manage debt and make payments on time.
Academic Challenges: strategies to manage disorganization, impulsivity, lateness, rejection-sensitivity, and other ADHD symptoms that impact academic performance.
Self-esteem: improving confidence
Sensory overload: regulating oneself during sensory input
Self-advocacy and self-awareness: asking for accommodations as a disabled individual and understanding the impact of ADHD in different areas of life.
Anxiety surrounding waiting: regulating emotions during waiting periods
Sensitivity to rejection and managing emotions: coping with the stress of rejection and improving impulse control.
Furthermore, ADHD coaching can be an effective treatment for ADHD symptoms and it may be beneficial to combine it with medications.
What does it mean to have a coaching alliance with your adhd coach?
To reap the benefits of ADHD coaching, you are going to want to find the right fit for an ADHD coach, which can be done through a coaching consultation. An ADHD coach should have knowledge of ADHD, but the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of ADHD coaching is the coaching alliance.
The coaching alliance is the relationship between the coach and the ADHDer working towards shared goals. If the ADHD coach cannot motivate you towards your specific goals or you leave the sessions feeling frustrated, there may not be a strong coaching alliance. If this occurs, it's okay if you don’t find the right coaching fit in your first consultation. You can keep trying until you find the right fit.
You may also prefer group coaching. In which case, you can join Blue Sky Learning’s neurodivergent support groups.
ADHD Coach Vs. ADHD Therapist
If you're weighing your treatment options, you may be wondering whether an ADHD coach or ADHD therapist is the right fit for your needs. Both ADHD coaches and ADHD therapists are trained professionals in the area of ADHD and cannot provide an ADHD diagnosis. However, their approaches differ:
ADHD Coaching: Focuses on developing proactive strategies and skills to manage your ADHD traits. Coaches assist in developing strategies to manage specific life challenges, such as time management or disorganization, without using standard therapeutic modalities.
ADHD Therapy: Emphases treating ADHD traits and co-occurring mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use issues) using various therapeutic approaches (e.g., dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic therapy, internal family systems therapy).
An ADHD therapist may be a better fit if you you are looking for support with ADHD and co-occurring mental health challenges using standard therapeutic approaches, while an ADHD coach may be preferable for those seeking practical strategies for specific life challenges.
Can Anyone Be an ADHD Coach?
Another key difference between an ADHD coach and an ADHD therapist is regulation.
Therapists in Ontario, Canada, are regulated by their respective colleges. They must provide therapy within the areas and regions where they are competent.
Blue Sky Learning therapists, for example, can provide therapy in Ontario and have competence in ADHD. There are a number of colleges in Ontario that therapists may be registered with, including the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
On the other hand, ADHD coaching is not regulated in Canada, allowing therapists to work with individuals anywhere in the world. Before engaging with an ADHD coach, it's wise to assess their skills, lived and professional experiences, and knowledge related to ADHD.
A generalist coach, for example, may not have the skills needed to work with ADHD symptoms.
Finding an ADHD Coach
Since ADHD coaching is not regulated, consider the following criteria when looking for an ADHD coach:
Reputable: Look for coaches with a positive reputation in the community. Check directories such as the Canadian Centre for ADHD, Psychology Today and the Adult ADHD Centre for vetted sources for ADHD coaches. Check for media engagements and Google Reviews to see if they are regarded positively.
Expertise: Ensure the therapist has experience supporting individuals with your specific goals, such as time management, reducing procrastination, or managing relationships. Years of experience may be a factor in your search. You may want someone with over 10 years of experience versus someone who is just starting out.
Desired Characteristics: Consider if the coach understands specific aspects of your identity, such as race, religion, cultural background, or sexual orientation. In terms of sexual orientation, you can look for a Rainbow Registered business status indicating they are LGBTQ+-affirming. Personal experience with ADHD or the specific languages you speak may also be something that is valuable.
Cost: Determine whether the cost is within your budget. Cost can range from pro bono to more than a thousand dollars a month. Blue Sky Learning coaches range from $65 for a 30 minute session to 130 for a 60 minute session, with some sliding scale options available.
Location: ADHD coaches can work in virtual, hybrid, or completely in-person formats. If you are seeking a virtual ADHD coach, then the location of your coach will not matter. But if you are looking for an in-person ADHD coach, start by searching “coaches near me” to see if you can find some local ADHD coaches.
Prepare for the ADHD coaching consultation
Book an initial coaching session to assess compatibility. This is a brief meeting to get to know the ADHD coach and determine if you have a strong coaching alliance. Prepare questions ahead of time to gauge if the coach meets your needs. Some possible questions include:
Could you share more about your practice?
What conditions are you trained to provide support for?
Do you offer support for neuroqueer individuals?
Would you have to break confidentiality? If so, when?
How frequently do you usually meet with clients?
What are your fees?
Do you offer a sliding scale?
For additional questions, check out the full Blue Sky Learning guide to preparing for your initial coaching consultation.
Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning
MORE ABOUT BLUE SKY LEARNING
Blue Sky Learning team members embodies values of compassion, empathy, and person-centered approaches to support neurodivergent individuals seeking ADHD coaching. They strive to create a service environment that is safe, supportive, and attentive to intersectional identities, aiming to reduce stigma and empower clients.
Free 20-minute consultation WITH AN ADHD COACH
Are you a neurodivergent individual seeking ADHD coaching? Book a free 20-minute consultation with a member of the Blue Sky Learning team by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or following the link below.
Comments