Complete guide based on 350+ hours of ADHD coach training and personal experience

Finding the right ADHD coach can be life-changing, but with literally anyone able to call themselves an “ADHD coach”without regulation or standardised training requirements, how do you find someone qualified, experienced, and most importantly, right for you?

This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire process, from understanding what ADHD coaching actually does to conducting your own coach interviews. It’s based on my research into the current training and ethics crisis in the ADHD coaching industry.

Download my free white paper: ADHD Coaching Standards Crisis – essential reading on the training and ethics issues in the coaching industry.

What is ADHD Coaching? (And How It’s Different from Therapy)

ADHD coaching is the third leg of the “gold standard” ADHD treatment approach, alongside medication and therapy. Unlike therapy, which focuses on mental health conditions, ADHD coaching mostly focuses on practical life skills and executive function challenges.

What ADHD Coaches Actually Do:

Not all ADHD coaches will do all of these things – and some will have additional specialist training particularly for things like business, career and social skill coaching.

*Accountability: MOST people ask for this and understand it to mean ‘make sure I do what I say I’m going to do’ – which really quickly can lead into shame, resentment and feeling worse. There are different ways to do things that avoid these triggers so personally, I avoid that word completely.

What ADHD Coaches Don’t Do:

Important boundary: If you’re in constant emotional crisis, experiencing thoughts of self-harm, or unable to function day-to-day, seek therapy or medical support before coaching.

Key insight: A skilled and experienced ADHD coach understands that traditional “homework” between sessions often doesn’t work for ADHD brains. Growth happens through processing, not completion.

My Coach Selection Methodology: How I Evaluate ADHD Coaches

Why trust these recommendations: As an ADHD coach with ADHD (and autism), I’ve been through the selection process myself and now help others navigate it. Here’s my systematic approach:

Essential Qualifications Checklist:

Red Flags to Avoid:

Important: These red flags are unfortunately VERY common due to the current lack of regulation in ADHD coaching.

See my white paper on ADHD Coaching Standards Crisis for deeper analysis of these industry issues.

Step-by-Step Guide: Finding Your Perfect ADHD Coach

Step 1: Define Your Coaching Goals

Start here: What specific challenges are you facing? It’s worth spending a week noticing where you are getting derailed or where ADHD is affecting you on a day to day basis – keep a running note of these in ONE place, usually on your phone in the notes app. You don’t need to have a long list to find coaching useful.

Common ADHD coaching goals:

Time management and organisation: “I’m always running late and losing things”
Executive function skills: “I can’t seem to plan or prioritise effectively”
Career advancement: “My ADHD affects my work performance”
Relationship improvement: “I struggle with communication and social situations”
Business development: “I’m an entrepreneur who needs ADHD-aware business coaching”
Self-advocacy: “I was diagnosed later in life and need”
Family dynamics: “We need help with ADHD parenting strategies”

Pro tip: If you’re struggling to identify goals due to intense emotional overwhelm, take a moment to consider whether you might benefit from therapy first. Coaching works best when you have basic emotional stability to engage in skill-building work.

When coaching is appropriate:

– “I want to improve my time management skills”
– “I need help with workplace organisation”
– “I want to build better daily routines”

When therapy may be needed before coaching:

– “I’m in constant emotional crisis”
– “I can barely function day-to-day”
– “I have untreated depression/anxiety affecting everything”

Sometimes clients are in therapy WHILE being coached – and depending on the circumstances this can work really well because they have somewhere to process their emotional load and the ADHD work has more space. It’s not a hard and fast rule but if you suspect therapy would be helpful, you can still talk to coaches who will likely be booked up and get onto their waiting list.

Step 2: Find Qualified Coach Candidates

Best directories for finding ADHD coaches:

Professional Associations (Most Reliable):

ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO): ADHD-specific directory with screening
ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA): Graduates with 150+ hours specialised training
PAAC (Professional Association of ADHD Coaches): Another credible ADHD-focused source

General Coaching Directories (Use with Caution)
International Coach Federation (ICF): Respected general coaching credentials, but cannot filter for ADHD expertise

Local Resources:

CHADD chapters: Local support groups often have coach recommendations
Healthcare providers: Ask your doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist
ADHD support groups: Members can share coach experiences

Warning: Always verify training credentials – you would be amazed (or horrified) at how many well known coaches do not have ADHD training. Directory listing alone doesn’t guarantee quality.

Step 3: Screen Potential Coaches

Essential questions to ask before booking a consultation:

Training and Credentials:

“How many hours of ADHD-specific coach training have you completed?” “What professional coaching certification do you hold?” “Do you participate in ongoing ADHD coach education?” “Can you provide references from other clients?”

Experience and Approach:

“Do you have personal or family experience with ADHD?” “How do you approach clients who struggle with traditional ‘homework’?” “What’s your coaching philosophy regarding ADHD strengths?” “Do you work with clients who have challenges like mine specifically?”

Practical Considerations:

“Do you offer a free consultation session?” “What are your session formats?” (in-person, phone, video) “How do you handle between-session support?” “What are your fees and payment policies?”

Step 4: Conduct Coach Interviews

Most reputable ADHD coaches offer a free consultation to ensure good fit. Here’s how to maximize these conversations:

What to Assess During Consultations:

Communication Style:

Do they listen actively without interrupting? Do they ask thoughtful follow-up questions? Do you feel understood and accepted? Do they use strengths-based language about ADHD?

Professional Approach:

Are they clear about coaching vs. therapy boundaries? Do they explain their coaching process clearly? Are they transparent about what coaching can and can’t do? Do they seem genuinely interested in your success?

Practical Fit:

Do their specialties match your goals? Does their schedule work with yours? Are their fees within your budget? Do you feel comfortable with their personality?

Choosing the Right Coach Specialisation

Individual Adult Coaching (Most Common)

Best for: Personal development, career challenges, executive function skills
Typical focus: One-on-one sessions, personal goal achievement

Family Coaching (Specialised Training Required)

Best for: Parent-child communication, household organisation, family dynamics
Key insight: Often includes multiple family members in sessions

Business/Executive Coaching (Corporate-Focused)

Best for: Workplace performance, leadership skills, entrepreneurial challenges
Considerations: Look for coaches who understand both ADHD and business environments

Group Coaching (Increasingly Popular)

Best for: Peer support, cost-effective option, social skills development
Benefits: Community aspect, diverse perspectives, often more affordable

ADHD Coach Training: What to Look For

Minimum Training Standards:

40+ hours ADHD-specific training (beyond general coaching) ICF or equivalent coaching certification Ongoing continuing education requirements Supervision or mentoring during initial practice

Gold Standard Training Programs:

ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA): 150+ hours comprehensive training PAAC-approved programs: Professional association standards University-based programs: Academic rigor and research basis

Specialist Certifications to Value:

Family coaching certification (for household/parenting issues) Social skills training (UCLA PEERS, Caroline Maguire programs) Business coaching credentials (for workplace/entrepreneurial focus

FAQ

Getting the Most from ADHD Coaching

How to Be a Great Coaching Client:

Come Ready to Experiment:

Be open to trying new strategies Expect some things won’t work – that’s part of the process Trust your coach’s expertise while honoring your own experience

Communicate Openly:

Share what’s working and what isn’t (your coach won’t mind)
Ask questions when you don’t understand something
Be honest about your challenges and successes

Embrace the Partnership:

Remember: you do the work, your coach provides support and guidance Show up consistently (even when you don’t feel like it) Be patient with yourself – meaningful change takes time

Red Flags: When to Find a Different Coach

End the coaching relationship if your coach:

Makes you feel ashamed about ADHD or your challenges
Consistently assigns “homework” without considering your capacity
Shames or belittles you for not finishing your goals
Tries to treat mental health conditions they’re not qualified for
Uses language that feels judgmental or deficit-focused
Promises unrealistic outcomes or “cures” for ADHD
Doesn’t respect professional boundaries
Shows no evidence of ongoing professional development
Takes on clients in emotional crisis without appropriate referrals
Claims they can “fix” you instead of partnering with you

Remember: A good coach will let you know when you should speak to other professionals when appropriate and never make you feel bad for needing different support.

About the Author: Katherine – ADHD Coach with ADHD

I grew up in Scotland during the 1970s and 80s with a long series of misadventures – the classic ‘failure to launch’ pattern.
Finally diagnosed in my early 40s with autism and ADHD, I had somehow achieved a first class MA (Hons) and a PhD, plus trained as an artist and parent to an incredible neurodivergent child.

My Training and Credentials:

350+ hours specialized ADHD coach training (ADD Coach Academy)
PCC (ICF Professional Certified Coach)
PAAC pathway certification (completed 2025)
Family Coaching certification (Caroline Maguire)
UCLA PEERS Social Skills Certified Provider
Positive Psychology Coach certification (IAPPC)

Why I Chose My Training Pathway:
After experiencing the transformative power of coaching in my own life, I invested in the best training available because I believe the world needs ADHD strengths, skills, and abilities more than ever.

My Practice Philosophy: “Coaching is love and wonder that leads to effective action.” – Jay Perry (my mentor coach)

Current Practice: I maintain a small practice to ensure each client gets personalised attention. Clients typically have 2-3 sessions per calendar month for a minimum of three months – because meaningful change takes time.

Ready to Find Your ADHD Coach?

Finding the right ADHD coach is an investment in your future self. Take the time to find someone with proper training, relevant experience, and a personality that meshes with yours.

Next Steps:

– Define your goals using the framework above
– Research coaches from the professional directories listed
– Schedule consultations with 2-3 potential coaches
– Trust your instincts about fit and rapport

Want to Work Together?
If you’d like to explore coaching with me, contact me by email to arrange a short informal meeting online. I promise I’ll let you know if I’m not the right coach for you and offer alternative recommendations.

Stay Connected: Follow my newsletter, podcast, or social media – I reply to every message and share ongoing insights about ADHD coaching and neurodivergent life.

Updated September 2025

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