Feeling confused about whether you need an ADHD coach or a traditional life coach? Not sure where to begin?
Coaching is a relatively new emerging field in Psychology, really gaining ground in the past twenty or so years. Learning more about what coaching is, and what type of coaching is right for you, can be difficult given the lack of clear information. Here, we’ll go over a brief review of what ADHD coaching is and the difference between traditional life coaching and ADHD Coaching.
What is life coaching?
Traditional life coaching is a collaborative process where the coach and the individual work together to explore possibilities and potential pathways to achieving goals.
The coach is skilled in the coaching process, not on the topic you’re looking to make progress in. The coach owns the process by asking questions that encourage insight, awareness, and challenging perspectives to help you identify and set meaningful goals, and to help you gain insights into your behaviors, thought patterns, and emotional responses. Your coach may point out changes in your energy during conversations, or the words you choose, to delve deeper into what you share. From these conversations, you’ll be better able to identify what steps you may need to take to achieve your goals. Some coaches may also assist you with developing an action plan to reach that goal.
Many coaches provide accountability by following up in the next session to see how things went with the plans or actions you set for yourself in the last session. Other coaches treat each meeting as a stand-alone session. It’s always great to have a conversation up front about what your accountability needs are in the coaching process to make sure you both are aligned!
What is ADHD coaching?
ADHD coaching is similar to traditional life coaching in that the ADHD coach is also an expert in the coaching process. However, the conversation is specifically tailored to address the unique experiences of individuals with ADHD. Coaches who specialize in ADHD understand its intricacies and are well-equipped to provide support that goes beyond standard life coaching.
ADHD coaching framework
Unlike traditional life coaching the ADHD coaching approach operates through a neurodiversity lens. ADHD coaching addresses the ways ADHD may influence your goals and helps you develop strategies accordingly.
ADHD coaching also differs from a clinical model (therapy/counseling). In ADHD coaching, ADHD is seen as a difference rather than something to be healed or fixed. This neuro-affirming method allows you to contextualize your experiences, empowering you with the knowledge to navigate life with ADHD more compassionately and effectively. Instead of viewing ADHD as a hindrance, this perspective embraces your neurotype as a unique way of thinking and processing information, promoting self-acceptance and resilience.
ADHD coaching components
ADHD coaching incorporates two additional components that distinguish it from traditional coaching: psychoeducation and skill-building.
Psychoeducation
Through psychoeducation, ADHD coaches help you gain a deeper understanding of how ADHD affects various areas of your life, such as your career, parenting, and relationships. This knowledge enables you to make better-informed decisions, to recognize that different situations may require different strategies, and to select the best coping mechanisms to handle challenges as they arise. By understanding the specific ways ADHD manifests in your daily life, you can develop a more nuanced approach to managing its impact. This might include learning about the brain’s executive functions and how they are affected by ADHD, or discovering the reasons behind certain behaviors and tendencies.
Skill-Building
In addition to helping you contextualize your experiences, ADHD coaches are knowledgeable about techniques and tools that can support executive function challenges like time management, organization, and prioritization. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, coaches work with you to adapt these tools to suit your lifestyle, ensuring that the strategies are personalized and effective. For instance, a coach might help you implement a personalized time-blocking system to better manage your schedule, or develop a tailored organizational method that aligns with your natural tendencies. These tools and strategies are continually refined and adjusted to fit your evolving needs.
Working with an ADHD coach often involves a more in-depth, collaborative process for setting realistic, achievable goals and breaking them down into manageable steps to create an action plan. Working on this directly with a coach can help you build momentum and experience success in areas where you might have previously struggled. Once you start building that momentum and feeling more confident in your abilities, your coach collaborates with you to discover what the next step might be to keep it going.
Collaborating with an ADHD coach helps you start with evidence-based approaches for ADHD that are more likely to yield long-term success! By leveraging the latest research and best practices in ADHD management, ADHD coaches can help you explore effective strategies and work with you to find what works for your lifestyle. This partnership not only addresses immediate concerns but also equips you with the skills and confidence to navigate future challenges independently.
Take a look at what some of these conversations and plans might look like!
- Navigating job hunting when you have ADHD
- Creating ADHD-Friendly Meal Plans
- Turning the college semester around
You can also check out these case studies see what ADHD Coaching can look like. Or, get a glimpse two of my own members’ journeys! You can read about Ashley's Journey and Chris's Journey in these articles. Just a friendly reminder, thought - your coaching will always be individualized to you and your specific goals. ADHD looks different for everyone, so coaching does, too!
How long does coaching last?
ADHD Coaching is viewed as a long-term engagement where you can partner with a trusted ADHD professional to stay committed to your goals over time. Many aspects of ADHD often get in the way of staying focused on long-term goals - especially during big life changes, such as career changes, becoming a parent, new work schedules, etc. Your coach serves as a steady point where you can come back to those dreams and goals despite where life may pull you.
Traditional Life Coaching is usually viewed as a short-term relationship - about three to six months is common. While you may exit an ADHD Coaching relationship at any time (it’s always about what serves you best!), ADHD Coaching is intended to be a safe place to explore your needs for as long as you need them.
Final thoughts: life coaching vs ADHD coaching
Both traditional life coaching and ADHD coaching offer valuable support and guidance, but they cater to different needs. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about which type of coaching will best support your journey toward personal and professional growth!
Still feel like you need more information? Reach out to us at hi@shimmer.care so we can answer your questions about ADHD Coaching and create more resources to help others. We know that when one person has a question, a dozen more have it too - and we want to make sure we can help where we can!
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