Coaching is an intervention that complements medication and other non-pharmacologic alternatives. As a specialty within the broader field of coaching, ADHD coaching is a practical intervention that specifically targets the core impairments of ADHD such as planning, time management, goal setting, organization and problem solving.
What is ADHD Coaching?
ADHD coaches work collaboratively with their clients who have ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms to address specific needs and personal goals. The ADHD coaching program at Psych Connect acknowledges the biological underpinnings of the disorder in addressing the core symptoms of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity); however, coaching addresses the academic, vocational, emotional and interpersonal life difficulties that are a result of these symptoms and helps clients find ways to overcome these challenges. Through individualized support, coaches help individuals concentrate on where they are now, where they want to be and how they can get there.
A coach helps people with ADHD carry out the practical activities of daily life in an organized, goal-oriented and timely fashion. In close partnership, an ADHD coach helps the client learn practical skills and initiate change in his or her daily life.
A coach may help an adult with ADHD:
- 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
Coaches help individuals with ADHD learn how the symptoms of ADHD play out in their daily lives. Coaches primarily ask questions to help the client reflect and discover their own answers to these questions.
The following are examples of questions coaches may ask:
- What changes do you want to make in your daily life?
- What small steps can you take today in the direction of your goals?
- How can you motivate yourself to take action towards this goal?
- When must this action be completed?
- What steps have you taken already, and when will you take the remaining steps?
- How will you evaluate the impact of your plan?
Coaches support clients by providing encouragement, feedback and practical suggestions to address specific challenges as well by supporting them and holding them accountable for following through on their goals. They may offer reminders or suggest time management methods. Regular meetings and check-ins are an essential part of the coaching process. At Psych Connect, coaches also support the social-emotional wellbeing of their clients. This is done through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
How does it work?
ADHD Coaching for adults is a one-to-one, confidential and individualised development process. It is most efficient with one-hour sessions taking place every week, as such frequency is required for in-depth changes. Each session is pragmatic and driven by the client’s objectives. These sessions can be conducted in person or onlinedepending on the client’s preference. However, before the coaching process begins, the client and the coach should have an initial session that addresses issues such as client needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
You might benefit from ADHD coaching if you find it difficult to stay organized, manage time effectively, follow through on tasks, or regulate emotions despite knowing what needs to be done. ADHD coaching helps bridge the gap between intention and action by providing practical strategies, accountability, and support tailored to your unique challenges. It’s especially helpful if traditional therapy alone hasn’t addressed your day-to-day executive functioning difficulties.
Whether you need ADHD coaching or medication—or both—depends on your specific challenges and goals. Medication can help reduce core symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity by supporting brain function, while ADHD coaching focuses on building practical skills such as planning, time management, and emotional regulation. Some individuals find that medication alone is not enough and benefit from coaching to apply strategies in real life. A consultation with a qualified clinician can help determine the most effective combination for your needs.
ADHD coaching can complement medication by helping individuals turn improved focus and attention into meaningful, goal-directed action. While medication may reduce core symptoms like distractibility or impulsivity, coaching provides structure, accountability, and personalized strategies to build habits, manage time, set priorities, and navigate daily challenges. Together, they create a more comprehensive support system—medication addresses the neurological aspects, and coaching helps with practical implementation and behavior change in real-life situations.
ADHD coaching is typically most effective for individuals aged 12 and above, as it requires a certain level of self-awareness, motivation, and the ability to engage in reflective conversations. For younger children, parent coaching or skill-building interventions through therapy (e.g., with a psychologist, educational therapist, or occupational therapist) are usually more appropriate. These approaches help lay the foundation for self-regulation and executive functioning skills needed for future coaching.
Parent coaching plays a vital role in youth ADHD coaching by equipping parents with the tools and strategies to support their child’s development outside of sessions. While ADHD coaching focuses on helping the young person build self-awareness, organization, and emotional regulation, parent coaching ensures that caregivers understand the process and can reinforce these skills at home. It also helps parents shift from reacting to challenges to proactively supporting their child’s growth with consistency, structure, and empathy. When parents and coaches work together, it creates a cohesive support system that strengthens the impact of the coaching.
When parents and coaches work together, it creates a cohesive support system that strengthens the impact of the coaching.
- Bridge Between Coaching and Home
Parent coaching helps translate the skills and strategies taught in youth coaching sessions into everyday home life. Since children with ADHD often struggle with executive functioning (e.g., planning, time management, emotional regulation), it’s crucial that parents understand and reinforce these skills consistently outside of sessions.
- Empowering Parents with Skills and Knowledge
Parent coaching educates caregivers about:
The neurological underpinnings of ADHD
Realistic expectations based on their child’s developmental level
Effective communication strategies
Behavior management tools tailored for ADHD
This helps parents respond with empathy and consistency rather than frustration or punitive measures, which can exacerbate ADHD symptoms.
- Promoting Consistency and Structure
Youth with ADHD thrive on routine and predictability. Parent coaching assists in creating structured environments, using systems like:
Visual schedules
Positive reinforcement plans
Clear and consistent routines
By aligning parental practices with coaching strategies, children receive consistent cues and support, which reinforces their progress.
- Reducing Family Conflict and Stress
ADHD often causes friction in family relationships due to misunderstandings and repeated behavioral challenges. Parent coaching helps:
Reframe misbehavior as a skills-deficit, not a character flaw
Foster collaborative problem-solving approaches
Enhance emotional regulation for both parents and children
This can significantly reduce parent-child conflict and household stress.
- Supporting the Youth’s Independence Over Time
A key goal of ADHD coaching is fostering independence and self-regulation. Parent coaching encourages a gradual shift in responsibility from parent to child, with scaffolding in place. Parents learn when to step in, when to step back, and how to encourage self-advocacy and accountability.
- Maintaining Coaching Gains Over Time
Without parental support, gains made in youth coaching can fade. Parent coaching ensures strategies are embedded into the child’s daily life and adjusted as they grow and face new challenges (e.g., transitioning to middle school, managing increased homework loads).