Vanessa Boudier

Choosing an ADHD coach is a deeply personal decision—one that can significantly impact your psychological and emotional growth, confidence, self-esteem and ability to navigate life with neurodivergence. Whether you’re seeking support in life, work, business, or executive settings, the right coach can help you build strategies that align with how your brain works.

Why Lived Experience Matters

A coach with lived experience of ADHD or other forms of neurodivergence brings more than empathy—they bring understanding from the inside out. They’re likely to:

• Recognize unhelpful patterns without judgment.
• Normalize your experiences, reducing shame and self-doubt.
• Offer practical tools that have worked for them or others like you.
• Adapt their communication style to suit your processing needs.

This kind of resonance can foster trust and safety, which are essential for meaningful progress.

The Importance of Professional Training

While lived experience is powerful, it’s not a substitute for professional training. Life Coaching is not yet a regulated service and ADHD coaching is a specialized skill that requires:

• Understanding of coaching ethics and boundaries.
• Deep Knowledge of ADHD-specific challenges like time blindness, executive dysfunction, and rejection sensitivity.
• Tools for goal setting, accountability, and habit formation.

Look for ADHD coaches with credentials from the reputable bodies below will ensure you are equipped to achieve a more satisfying and fulfilling life:

• ICF (International Coaching Federation) – world leader in ADHD training
• ADDCA (ADD Coach Academy) – specifically ADHD-focused
• International ADHD Coaching Training Centre
• Neurodiversity-informed training from accredited institutions

These credentials ensure your ADHD coach has undergone rigorous training, supervision, mentoring and adheres to ethical standards.

What to Expect from the Coaching Relationship

A good ADHD coach will:

• Start with a discovery or introductory call (often free) to assess fit.
• Co-create goals with you, rather than impose them.
• Offer structure and flexibility, adapting to your energy, focus, and needs.
• Hold space for setbacks and help you reframe them as learning opportunities.
• Celebrate wins, no matter how small.

You should feel seen, heard, and respected—not fixed.

Questions to Ask a Potential Coach

Before committing, ask:

• What’s your experience with ADHD or neurodivergence?
• What training and credentials do you hold?
• How long did you train for?
• How do you tailor your approach for neurodivergent clients?
• What does a typical session look like?
• How do you handle accountability and follow-through?
• Do you offer a free discovery call?
• What’s your cancellation/rescheduling policy?

Fees and Formats

Coaching fees vary widely:

• £50–£150 per session is typical in the UK.
• Some offer packages (e.g. 6+ sessions for a discounted rate).
• Others may offer sliding scale pricing or reduced rates for students or low-income clients.

Sessions may be:

• Weekly or fortnightly
• 30–60 minutes
• Conducted via Zoom, phone, or in person

Coaching vs. Therapy

Coaching	Counselling/Therapy
Future-focused	Past and present-focused
Goal-oriented	Healing-oriented
Action and strategy-based	Emotion and insight-based
Not a substitute for mental health treatment	Often used for diagnosis, trauma, or emotional regulation

Many people benefit from both coaching and therapy, especially when coordinated.

Areas ADHD Coaching Can Support

• Life coaching: routines, motivation, relationships, self-esteem, rejection sensitivity
• Workplace coaching: productivity, communication, burnout prevention
• Business coaching: entrepreneurship, delegation, time management
• Executive coaching: leadership, strategic thinking, team dynamics

The primary focus is empowerment through understanding—not changing who you are but working with how you work best.