Although numerous types of therapy and interventions exist for ADHD, the field of ADHD coaching is gaining attention with its effectiveness. Below I will discuss the nature of ADHD coaching, as well as how it differs from therapy for ADHD.
ADHD coaching works with clients to achieve specific goals. ADHD coaches work collaboratively with their clients who have ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms to address specific needs and personal goals. More specifically, coaching addresses the academic, vocational, emotional, and interpersonal difficulties that are a result of ADHD symptoms and helps clients find ways to overcome these challenges. Coaches help people focus on where they are now, where they want to be and how they can get there. A coach may help an individual with the following:
- Maintain focus to achieve identified goals
- Translate abstract goals into concrete actions
- Build motivation and learn to find ways to use concrete and abstract rewards effectively
Coaching focuses more on daily life issues such as forming habits for a balanced, healthy lifestyle, which includes finances, maintaining a home, nutrition, exercise and sleep. In contrast, CBT (a therapeutic intervention) focuses on emotional regulation and direct treatment of co-morbid conditions such as anxiety, depression or substance abuse. Coaching is more practical-oriented than therapeutic interventions.