Frequently asked questions
What is ADHD coaching?
Most ADHDers have a hard time remembering to stop and think. Whether we’re paralyzed by procrastination or hyperfixating on a shiny new interest, we struggle to take a breath and notice how our life is going. Most people seek out coaching because they want to better align their actions with their intentions and needs. Learning to pause is the first step in this process.
Coaching is a regular, dedicated space for you to pause and reflect. When you’re overwhelmed, a coaching session can break the spiral and boost you back to healthy functioning. But it doesn’t stop there. In coaching, you’ll have a chance to examine the whole trajectory of your life— and how you might shift it to achieve your goals.
My job is to help you use that space in the best possible way. Together, we’ll take a deeper look at your life and identify concrete strategies that you’ll bring into the rest of your week. We’ll experiment, reflect, and build on them over time. After a while, you might find yourself accomplishing things you never thought you could!
Our discussions are driven by and tailored to you. I offer you support in identifying your goals and harnessing innate capabilities and strengths in order to reach them. As we get started, we’ll work together to assess your satisfaction in all the key areas of your life and choose a starting point. Over time, we’ll check in and measure your progress.
Ultimately, coaching is a partnership. I offer extensive knowledge of ADHD traits and best practices to work with ADHDers, and provide a safe space of support and nonjudgmental perspective. But at the end of the day, you’re the expert on yourself. The goal is to combine our knowledge into something greater than the sum of its parts, creating tangible, measurable change in your well being.
What can I expect from the coaching partnership?
I typically meet with clients once a week for an hour in a regular time slot. All meetings are virtual— whether that’s by phone, Google Meet, or another platform. I want to maximize my clients’ comfort and allow them to be in an environment that best supports their sensory needs while we meet.
There’s no set length for the partnership. An initial commitment of at least a month is best to start really seeing how coaching can impact your life, but our relationship can stretch as long as needed. Often clients will come to coaching for a specific purpose, but discover a whole new set of goals in the process of fulfilling it. And of course, either of us can decide to end the relationship at any time if it’s not working out or no longer needed.
It’s a relationship of equals. My only agenda is to support yours. I can’t and won’t tell you what to do, nor can I be responsible for what you choose to take away from our sessions. Our mutual goal is to give you the tools you need to forge the changes you want in your own life.
Who are your favorite clients to coach?
Anyone who connects with me! I’m open about my own story in the hope of finding kindred spirits. You could be a high school student or a young adult, a parent or a retiree. No matter who you are, if what I share here resonates with you, that’s a patch of fertile ground that could blossom into a beautiful coaching relationship.
That said, some people are especially likely to find I speak their language. I love working with the LGBTQ+ community and people across the spectrum of neurodivergence. Anyone who considers themselves a creative, sensitive type will likely find something in common with me. I’m also well versed in everything nerdy, geeky, and “terminally online.” Ask me about my last job writing in the games industry!
What’s the difference between coaching and therapy?
The scope and goals of coaching are different from therapy. Therapy often centers on exploring the past and “why” questions, while coaching focuses on the “what” and “how” of outward changes you want to make in your present and future. Therapists are also qualified to do many things I’m not. For example, I can’t diagnose ADHD or any other neurodiversity or mental illness. If you’re dealing with challenges outside the scope of my practice, I’ll do my best to support you in finding a provider who can meet those needs.
Unlike therapy, coaching is not a licensed profession in the United States. That means I’m less restricted in how and where I practice. I’m voluntarily self-regulated by internationally recognized organizations that hold their members to a high ethical standard. My coaching adheres to proven best practices, and I’ll always maintain confidentiality in our relationship.
What are your credentials?
I completed my training at the ADD Coach Academy, a program accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC). ADDCA’s program is widely considered the gold standard for ADHD coach training. I’m currently fulfilling the requirements for PAAC and ICF certification. That’s great news for you, because my prices are currently lower than they’ll ever be in future!
How much does coaching cost?
The amount of time you will ultimately spend in coaching depends on your unique needs. As such, the total cost is based on how long you decide to meet with me. Set up a free consultation with me to learn more. Unfortunately, insurance companies in the US do not cover coaching services. If cost is a concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we can explore together how you might meet your need for coaching in a way you can afford.