The ultimate guide for those who only just discovered ADHD Coaching is a thing, so you can learn about what to expect, determine if it might work for you and know what to look for.
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As ADHD awareness increases, children are getting diagnosed at a younger age, and adults are sitting on waiting lists after having discovered late in life, that they have a uniquely wired brain, people are hearing more and more about ADHD coaching.
I am a Certified Professional Advanced ADHD Coach and I have put together a guide for you on ADHD Coaching
I want to tell you all you need to know about ADHD coaching, so that you can find just the fit for you, and inform your choices as you explore your dopamine seeking brain. I have split the blog up into categories to help you break it down and process the information in your own time.
#1: What is Coaching?
‘Partnering with clients in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential.’
-International Coaching Federation (ICF)
Coaching is future-oriented and focuses on individual growth and development. It is a series of purposeful conversations enabling and empowering individuals to move towards their goals. It is a journey of personal growth, where clients clarify what they want, plan how they are going to get there, discover the resources they already have, uncover what they need and when they arrive, make it stick.
Coaching is not about advising, telling or influencing; and, though it can be therapeutic in its effect, it is not therapy or counselling.
The coach is a facilitative partner to the client on their journey of personal learning and development. It is a client led process, where the coach follows tuning in to their intuition, while asking questions to create awareness, listening, reflecting back and challenging.
Coaches regard their clients as naturally creative, resourceful, and incredible human beings.
#2: What Coaching is not!
Time to do some myth busting! I often see jaws drop and hearts break when I share the following information, but I feel it is hugely important to know these things, so that you have the most positive experience possible.
Coaches are not meant to tell you what to do/give you advice!
An ethical well trained coach will spend the session helping you figure out for yourself, what is the right way for you. Your coach should want the best for you, according to your own needs and goals.
They do not have a box of tricks that is going to make your ADHD Vanish!
There is no secret code or cheat sheet to life. Your coach will help you to learn how to work alongside your brain instead of against it and using your strengths, in turn minimising ADHD specific challenges.
If your coach does either of these things, RUN!!!
#3: What is ADHD Coaching?
‘A collaborative, supportive, goal-oriented process in which the coach and the client work together to identify the client’s goals and then develop the self-awareness, systems, skills, and strategies necessary for the client to achieve those goals and fullfill potential.’
– ADDcoaches.org.
An ADHD coach is a “life coach” specifically trained to help children, young people, adults and family members gain a better understanding of their unique brain processing and create the life they want to live.
A professional ADHD coach brings current ADHD knowledge, best practices, and meets every client with understanding, exactly where they are at. The Coach will use ADHD-specific models and tools to inform the coaching conversation while supporting and empowering the client to uncover their own strengths and create formulas of their own, to facilitate positive personal and professional change.
The ADHD coaching partnership is an appreciative and creative inquiry process that empowers clients to learn about themselves and so they can make choices and take actions so they can be their true authentic selves.
The ADHD coach listens with an appreciation and working experience of how ADHD may be impacting the client.
#4: Choosing Your Coach
Top tip: Look for testimonials on your potential coaches website. This will give you great insight in how other clients felt and what kind of experiences they had.
I feel that It is important that your ADHD Coach is at least 2 of the following:
Has certified and accredited Coach specific training.
Has had ADHD Coach specific training.
Has been officially diagnosed with ADHD themselves or are a parent of an ADHDer.
Has professional experience working with ADHDers.
Is a member of professional bodies for coaches.
Attends regular supervision.
Is fully insured.
Questions you should ask your coach:
Have you been a client yourself and experienced coaching?
How much coaching experience do you have?
What level accreditation do you have?
Do you attend regular supervision sessions?
Have you worked with a mentor to get feedback on your coaching skills?
What professional coaching bodies are they a member of?
Are they covered by professional indemnity and malpractice insurance?
Chemistry: it is important that there is a good connection between you and your potential coach. Most Coaches will invite you to book in for an introduction session so that you can get a sense of each other before committing to the journey together.
If they are promoting themselves as having a niche or specific area of interest, you should ask about what their training or background is in this area to understand their qualifications to coach in this area.
It is also really important to know if they have been a coaching client themselves, so that you will know that they fully understand the process as they have been through it themselves before they embark taking you on it.
To Learn more about the qualification and accreditation requirements and standards set by the international governing bodies, please click the button below. This will help you determine if their fees match their level of skill and experience.
#5: Meeting your Needs
Because coaching is a collaborative process, it is essential to choose a coach who is a good fit for you. Before contacting potential coaches, it can be helpful to determine what your own needs are and set some goals.
Ask yourself:
Do I want to engage in coaching online or face to face?
Am I seeking someone who has experience in other fields such as mental health, trauma, family/relationship issues or workplace concerns?
Do I want someone with a lot of enthusiasm or a more understated approach?
How much financial resources do I have to put in to the process?
What time do I have to commit to the process?
What are the areas I want to work on?
How do I want my life to look instead?
If you would like to read some more information that backs up the efficiency and impact of ADHD coaching please click the links below.
#6: Coaching Fees
1 coaching session can range from €80 to €400 per session. This will vary from coach to coach and is dependant on the Coaches experience, qualifications and certifications.
A Coaches fees should always be backed up by training and qualifications.
Most Coaches will have packages and payment plans, some will operate a pay per session policy. It is not always required that you pay upfront.
A lot of Coaches will often offer reduced rates and even pro bono coaching, so it can be worth having a conversation with them, if you find someone you really want to work with.
The ICF recommends a minimum of 6 sessions on 1 area and ADDCA recommends a minimum of 12 sessions. This is to make sure that you have sufficient time to work towards goals and achieve sustaiable change.
Below are some links to articles and blogs that discuss coaching fees on a national and international level.
We hope you are walking away with some new learning, and that you feel confident about making your coach selection as you embark on the journey of discovery and wonder!
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