With the slew of internet sites and self-help books out there on ADD and ADHD, why hire an ADHD coach? You have probably worked with teachers, tutors, doctors, consultants and therapists by now, so why add a coach to the mix?
Here are 5 reasons why:
ADHD Coaching is about helping you discover how your unique brain wiring works and then learning to work with your brain instead of against it. The ADHD Coach brings her knowledge of ADHD to the table and then helps you become aware of how it is showing up in your life. She then helps you build in structures and supports to create an environment of success for yourself. This highly personalized approach is invaluable.
ADHD Coaching helps you identify a clear vision of what you want to achieve and determine the steps you need to take to achieve it. The coach further helps you tap into your interests, passions, strengths and values to engage your intrinsic motivation. She then holds you accountable in a way that works for you. This clarity, motivation and accountability helps you take targeted action and sustain your effort. A Coach helps you succeed early and then build on that success.
ADHD coaching helps you identify any limiting beliefs and negative thoughts you may have developed about your own ADHD challenges. These can be powerful obstacles to your progress toward your goals. An ADHD coach helps you recognize these underlying patterns of negativity and replace beliefs that are hurting you with those that serve you better. She will empower you to turn your attention to your successes and strengths and be less defined by your areas of challenges.
An ADHD coach works collaboratively with you as an equal partner. No one can care more about what you really want than you can. No one knows you better than yourself. Your coach will bring in her expertise and knowledge to facilitate your progress toward your agenda, but it is YOUR agenda. All the effort you put in and progress you make are your own. This sense of ownership can be very powerful in seeing yourself for the highly capable person that you truly are.
Research shows the positive impact of ADHD Coaching. One study found improvement in 22 different ADHD symptoms in 45 Adults after ADHD coaching. Areas of improvement included task completion, attention, focus, memory, anxiety, impulsivity and restlessness (1).
Kubik, J. A. (2009, March 10). Efficacy of ADHD Coaching for Adults With ADHD. Retrieved October 10, 2017, from http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1087054708329960