How to find a credible ADHD coach: A Quick Guide
Beginning your search for an ADHD coach can feel like staring at a blank canvas as an artist, or a blank page as a writer. Where do you begin? How do you begin? How do you know the person you're talking with can actually help you, and has legitimate training and expertise?
Whewh. Ok, deep breath. This IS doable.
Many ADHD coaches also have ADHD themselves. They likely became a coach to figure this stuff out for themselves too—I know I sure did! You are not in the hot seat. You are just looking to connect with someone who gets it, makes you feel safe, seen, and can partner with you to help you move forward. A good ADHD coach will help you move forward in ways that work WITH your brain, not against it.
This post isn't about convincing you to work with me, (though of course, that could be cool too). It's about ensuring you find a match who's credible, trained, and right for you—no matter who it is.
1. Start here: Define what you want before you begin searching.
Here's what often happens: You decide you need a coach. You open Google. Three hours later you've got 47 browser tabs open, you've listened to half a podcast, and you feel more overwhelmed than when you started.
Is that you, like maybe…right this minute?
Sometimes 10 minutes of looking for clarity can save you hours. Here’s another idea…
Journal for 10 minutes. What do you want to shift in your life? What's frustrating you most? What would life look like in 3-6 months if things were different? When you're clear on what you actually want, the overwhelm lessens a bit, and you won't be as easily lured in by shiny marketing. How do you want to FEEL in 3 months? If you already felt that way within the different roles you play: parent, entrepreneur, friend, etc., how might you act differently within that role? How do you hope a coach could partner with you to get you there?
Set a timer for 30-45 minutes for your initial research. Create a list of your top choices as you do this. This is big picture. You don’t need to know every detail about every person in this search. You’re looking for a general feeling that they match what you’re hoping for. As you do this, remember that 20 minutes talking on the phone to an actual person will often tell you more than hours of online research.
Shorten your list to 3-5 coaches who resonate with you, then schedule discovery calls (most are free).
Remember your WHY. Before each call, revisit what you journaled. Afterwards, please feel free to give yourself a little treat! You’re doing the difficult work of self-advocacy and trusting your own intuition.
A note about cost: Rates typically range from $75 to $300+ per session. Don't be afraid to ask—coaches expect it. Most insurance doesn't cover coaching, though you might be able to use HSA/FSA funds.
2. Ask About Their Training
Coaching is the wild west. Anyone can call themselves a "coach." That said, there are also a lot of genuine, amazing coaches with legitimate training out there.
Ask where they got their training. ADDCA (ADD Coach Academy) and iACT (Institute for the Advancement of ADHD Coaching) are two excellent options for ADHD-specific training. Do they follow guidelines from coaching bodies like ICF (International Coaching Federation)?
Also worth asking:
If it’s important to you, do they have ADHD themselves? (Many do—I do!)
Do they work with people like you? (adults, students, entrepreneurs, parents, etc.)
3. They Don't Promise the Moon
Every coaching relationship is different. Meaningful shifts take time. Coaching can change your experience of ADHD, lessen shame, and help you conquer things that previously overwhelmed you. However, ADHD is still going to ADHD sometimes. Coaching won't make you a consistency machine overnight, but it can help you find ways to work with your creative brain, utilize your strengths, and get back up faster when things go a little sideways. All the change adds up like compounding interest over time. After a few months, you'll look back and be genuinely surprised by how much has shifted—it just doesn't happen all at once, nor should it. Behavior change is a gradual process, not a sudden event and this isn't just about patience—it's how your nervous system actually works best. You'll notice the difference when you look back after 3 months, not when you wake up tomorrow morning.
Red flags to watch for:
Pressure to sign contracts (especially if it’s within a short time-frame)
Anyone who makes you feel like a problem to be fixed, judged or ashamed
Overly rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches
4. Trust Your Gut
You've got to make a few calls. Remember, you have absolutely zero to prove. Most ADHD coaches also have ADHD. We are NOT judging you, and we aren't here to "fix you." I still get ADHD coaching. Coaches need coaching. That's how humans work.
Questions to ask in discovery calls:
What's your coaching philosophy?
How do sessions work? What happens between sessions?
How do we measure progress?
What to notice:
Do they actually listen, or just wait for their turn to talk?
Do you feel safe being honest about your struggles?
Does their communication style work for your brain?
Do they "get it" in a way that makes you feel seen?
Trust your gut. Chemistry matters, and it's completely okay to keep looking if it's not clicking.
Quick FAQ
What happens in sessions? Most people meet weekly or bi-weekly for 30-60 minutes. Sessions are conversational and collaborative—you set an agenda, explore challenges, celebrate wins, and develop strategies together.
When coaching might not be enough: If you're in crisis, experiencing severe depression/anxiety, need a diagnosis, or need medication management, start with a mental health professional or psychiatrist. Coaching and therapy/medication often work beautifully together.
Ok, ready, set, go.
Start with that 10-minute journal >>> Set your timer & research >>>use your list >>> Schedule those calls.
Now celebrate!
You just advocated for one incredibly important human!
That takes a lot of strength and courage.
Want to schedule a free 20-minute discovery call with me?
Click on my contact page up at the top right.
Even if we're not the right fit, I'm happy to point you to someone else who might be.
