How to Find an ADHD Coach: A Step-By-Step Guide

When ADHD is holding you back from achieving the life you want, you need better advice than “Just do it. It’s not that hard.”

You need a safe space to ask questions and find real solutions to your challenges – not more judgment and motivational expressions.

That’s where an adult ADHD coach can help.

ADHD coaching is a non-judgmental partnership. One where you and your coach work together to form helpful strategies to bring you closer to your goals.

Coaching can be a deeply personal and rewarding experience when you find a coach you “click” with. But it’s also important to choose a qualified coach to support you in achieving your goals.

Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to find an ADHD coach that can help you thrive.

1. Make a List of Your Goals for Coaching
2. Note the Characteristics You Want in an ADHD Coach
3. Create a List of Potential Coaches
4. Set up an Intro Call with Potential Coaches
5. Create a List of Questions for Your ADHD Coach
6. Prepare for the Day of the Call
7. Take Notes During the Interview

What Is an ADHD Coach?

Before diving in, let’s take 60-seconds to ensure we all understand what an ADHD coach is.

An ADHD coach assists people with ADHD build effective strategies to address challenges and manage their lives better. They help their clients develop structure, skills, and action plans to tackle any responsibilities or goals made more difficult by ADHD symptoms.

An ADHD coach may help you improve specific areas of your life, such as:

• Staying organized: This includes learning to set priorities, manage time, keep records, organize your workspace or home, and plan ahead to prepare for challenges.
• Keeping on track: You can learn how to set goals, solve problems, keep yourself motivated, and be persistent with your tasks.
• Managing emotions: You can work on building self-esteem and confidence, improving impulse control, and finding healthy ways to manage stress.
• Improving relationships: Your coach may help you nurture your communication skills, to strengthen relationships with your friends, family, partner, or colleagues.

ADHD coaching alone (or in combination with treatment) can positively impact your task performance, social skills, and emotions.¹ But the key to reaping these benefits is finding a professional coach who understands your needs and goals.

If at any point this seems like too much to take on, our ADDA membership is a great place to meet people, get a full list of professionals, and have fun while learning how to live with ADHD!

How to Find an ADHD Coach

Let’s be clear: ADHD coaching is not regulated.

That means anyone can call themselves a coach. That’s why it’s worth investing a little time in finding a trained professional that’s right for you.

Let’s walk through the process of finding an ADHD coach, with a few simple steps to narrow down your options and find a good fit.

1. Make a List of Your Goals for Coaching

Every person experiences ADHD differently. And the person who understands your situation best is none other than you! So, reflect on what you would like to get out of your coaching sessions.

What do you need help with? Where would you like to be in your life when your coaching process is complete?

Make a list: Think of five goals before moving on to the next step.

Here are examples of ADHD coaching goals. Feel free to pick a few to get your list started.

• To focus on your long-term business or career goals
• To break the cycle of procrastination and avoidance
• To find the right balance between rest, work, family, and keeping healthy
• To receive unbiased and direct feedback on your progress
• To control your impulses better
• To be accountable to someone who understands the nature of ADHD but will not tolerate any excuses
• To redefine your vision and goals

2. Note the Characteristics You Want in an ADHD Coach

There are a few factors to consider when selecting a coach you will feel comfortable with. After all, you’ll be sharing a lot of personal experiences and honest conversations during coaching.

A) Firstly, would you be more comfortable with a male or female coach?

Some people may feel apprehensive about opening up to someone of a different gender, and that’s perfectly fine.

B) Would you work best with someone who has experience coaching people like you – or a coach who personally shares a certain aspect of your identity?

For example, you might have a specific need for understanding about your sexual orientation or your religion.

Or maybe you’d like a coach with a similar cultural background who understands your generational practices, traditions, and unique challenges.

C) Another thing to consider is the languages spoken by your coach.

Some coaches speak more than one language, which may be helpful if English isn’t what you’re most comfortable with.

D) Plus, you may look into the coach’s years of experience or personal experience with ADHD.

Maybe you’d like a coach who has journeyed with a family member with ADHD and can better relate to your experiences.

E) Finally, you may consider whether you’d prefer in-person or virtual sessions.

Some coaches only offer face-to-face sessions, while others provide both options.

3. Create a List of Potential Coaches

There are several ways to find a professional who provides ADHD coaching for adults.

Create a list: Using some of the resources provided below, list three potential coaches.

Here are a few ways to start your search:

• Get a list of local coaches from a hospital or healthcare provider in your area.
• Look for a coach online. A quick Google search may draw up possible leads in your area.
• Look at directories of coaches put together by various organizations.

Here are a few online resources to get you started:

• Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) Professional Directory
• ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) Directory of ADHD Coaches
• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Professional Directory
• Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC) Registry
• ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) Coach Directory

These directories usually provide a summary of the coach’s experience, training, education, and contact details. But you can gather more information about the coach by reviewing their personal website.

4. Set up an Intro Call with Potential Coaches

You now have a list of three different coaches who more or less match your listed characteristics.

The next step is to send them a message and arrange a time for a preliminary call. Most coaches offer a free 15-30 minute consultation.

You may want to give them a heads-up of what some of your goals are so they can determine if they’re a good match for you or not.

5. Create a List of Questions for Your ADHD Coach

It’s best to have a list of questions prepped for the interview. That way you don’t forget anything important!

Now it’s time to create one last list!

Make a list: Go through your list of goals and preferred characteristics, and note down 5-10 questions you can ask to evaluate whether the coach can meet them.

Being organized here is key to helping you find the best ADHD coach. Break the questions up into “Goals, Characteristics, and Logistics.”

Some examples of questions you might want to ask:

• Goals:
  • Have you worked with clients who needed help with impulse control?
  • How would we work on improving my organizational skills?
• Characteristics:
  • How long have you been an ADHD coach?
  • Do you have any personal experience with ADHD?
  • Would you be comfortable speaking Spanish (or another language)?
• Logistics:
  • What are your fees?
  • Do you offer virtual coaching sessions?
  • How long are your sessions?
  • Do you offer any trial coaching sessions?

Now it’s time to prepare for the call.

6. Prepare for the Day of the Call

Here are some things to prepare before the call.

• Have a notepad or device at hand to take notes.
• Have your list of questions ready.
• Find a quiet place with no distractions.
• Get a glass of water.
• Set up your video call program and check your microphone, camera, and Internet connection.
• Set your mobile phone on silent or airplane mode before the call begins.

Most importantly – remember that you’re the one hiring here. The point is to evaluate whether the coach is suitable for you, not to gain their approval. So don’t worry about making them like you!

7. Take Notes During the Interview

During the call, take short notes of each coach’s experience, fees, and areas of expertise.

Assess how they made you feel throughout the call:

• Did you feel that you could ask questions without judgment?
• Were you comfortable sharing your goals and needs with the coach?

Once you’ve shortlisted one or two of your favorite coaches, you may arrange a trial coaching session with them to better gauge if they’re a good fit.

To Get the Most Out of Coaching: Be Coachable!

Finding a coach starts with having your own goals and needs listed out. Follow this up with some research – but give yourself a time limit and select a handful of coaches to evaluate.

Then, use this guide to interview your favorite candidates and get the information you need to make a decision.

But here’s the most important step:

Reflect on whether you’re coachable and ready to commit. This ensures you get the most out of your sessions, money, and time.

So, are you ready to embrace change, try new strategies, and be an active participant in improving your life?

If you answered “yes,” you’re ready to find the best ADHD coach to help you accomplish your goals!

And if you’re not ready for coaching, but you’d like to start taking control of your ADHD, sign up for our free ADHD starter kit. It includes a 12-week training program for adults with ADHD, designed by an ADHD coach to guide you through a series of small, simple steps that lead to real change in your life.

References:

[1] Kubik J. A. (2010). Efficacy of ADHD coaching for adults with ADHD. Journal of attention disorders, 13(5), 442–453. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054708329960