Why ADHD Coaching is Especially Helpful for People with ADHD

She knows and understands the Unique Brain Wiring of someone who has ADHD.

There is still a lot of stigma and misinformation going on about ADHD. That was one of the primary reasons I didn't seek an official diagnosis for as long as I did. I thought if I was disciplined enough, I could "buckle down and do it." When I couldn't, over and over again, I became very self-hating. During my childhood and young adult years, I did have tutors and counselors attempt to help me with my ADHD-related issues. I went to them and felt like I was going to them to be "fixed." Many of them were well-meaning individuals who did their best to help me but looking back. I realize many of them couldn't have had that much in-depth knowledge about ADHD. The way they were teaching me to approach my problems was the "normal way." The problem with that was my brain wasn't wired the "normal" way, and I would try and fail many times to do the intervention, which only made me feel more hopeless.

That's not to say that every teaching or healthcare professional is unknowledgeable about ADHD; many out there are. However, sometimes you do have to educate them on ADHD. I now educate people, including healthcare professionals, more about ADHD and they are grateful to have that knowledge.

However, not having to educate my coach about ADHD and having her instead further educate me about ADHD and be able to use interventions designed for the ADHD brain has been invaluable to me. My coach didn't come into this with the mindset that "I needed to be fixed." She came in with the mindset that "I needed to discover who I was" and my "hidden strengths." When I was able to use the interventions successfully, I felt empowered. When I didn't need to explain my ADHD to my coach, I felt understood. Many times, my coach has uplifted and validated my ADHD-enhanced qualities, and she has never made me feel like I have to mask. I don't adapt to her. She has learned over time to adapt to me.

How she supported me when I needed Outside help.

ADHD coaching is not a "fix-all" for everything, and my ADHD coach never presented it to me as such. Due to my struggles with healthy eating, she recommended that I check in with a nutritionist. Meeting with a nutritionist has helped me get back on track with my eating. Additionally, there was a period where I was struggling more with some of my anxiety than normal, and she helped and supported me as I found and met with a mental health professional for a few months.

What I can say as someone who has done therapy on both ends and ADHD coaching

Counseling certainly has its place, and it is valuable. Still, now that I have also experienced ADHD coaching, I can say that they are equally as important. Therapy helps you process and understand the past. Still, ADHD coaching gives you the skills to manage the present and goals set effectively for the future.