FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of ADHD coaching FAQs and information about working with SF ADHD Coach.* If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to send an email.

Updated: May 2025

FAQ: Working With Me

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I primarily work with neurodivergent adults (25+), including:

  • Women in tech (including non-binary and gender-expansive folks)
  • Entrepreneurs, executives, and founders
  • Business owners and freelancers
  • Creatives, Artists, and deep thinkers
  • New moms and working parents
  • People who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or considering pregnancy
  • New coaches and consultants

I also specialize in supporting:

  • Late-diagnosed AuDHD, Autistic, and ADHD adults—especially high-masking women and gender-expansive folks with non-stereotypical presentations—who are navigating self-discovery, unmasking, and identity integration.
  • People navigating burnout—whether that’s Autistic burnout, ADHD burnout, professional burnout, parental burnout, or (often) all of the above.

I’ve coached neurodivergent professionals in leadership, product, design, marketing, sales, and engineering roles at companies including Disney, Google, Meta, Uber, and Salesforce.

My clients tend to be intelligent, creative, sensitive, playful, passionate, and some of the hardest-working individuals you’ll ever meet. In spite of their many talents and a massive amount of effort, they still feel stuck. They’re on the verge of (or already deep in) burnout. They struggle with things like planning, prioritization, communication, time management, organization, goal setting, emotional regulation, self-advocacy, task initiation, project completion, and more.

While many of my clients are based in the San Francisco Bay Area, I also work with adults across the United States. Coaching sessions are held via Zoom or phone, so location doesn’t limit connection (just time zones).

NOTE: I do not coach minors or college students. While many of my clients are neurodivergent parents themselves, I do not focus on family coaching. If you’re looking for a certified family coach, I highly recommend visiting the ADD Coach Academy’s coach finder directory.

My approach to AuDHD (Autistic & ADHD) coaching is collaborative, client-centered, strengths-based, and neurodivergent-affirming. I’ll meet you exactly where you are; and together we’ll explore how your brain works, uncover your strengths, clarify what truly matters to you, and design sustainable, aligned action.

Coaching with me isn’t about performance or productivity for productivity’s sake. It’s about building a life that fits you—with tools, strategies, and insight that honor your wiring, your values, and your capacity.

Please click here to read a letter that provides a more in depth overview of how I coach and what you can expect if you choose to partner with me.

I bring both lived experience and formal training to this work.

I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 8 and spent much of my youth in and out of therapy that never seemed to really work for me. In 2017, I began working with an ADHD-focused therapy team, which eventually led me to pursue professional coach training. I was late-diagnosed as Autistic in 2023—a discovery that brought clarity, relief, and a renewed commitment to providing neurodiversity-affirming care.

As of May 2025, I’ve logged over 1,000 coaching hours with 60+ clients across tech, startups, venture capital, entertainment, art, and health & wellness—including professionals at companies like Disney, Google, Meta, Uber, and Salesforce.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

I currently hold three certifications and a bachelor’s degree:

  • BFA – Bachelor of Fine Arts, Musical Theatre, University of Miami
  • PCAC – Professional Certified ADHD Coach, PAAC – Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (2023)
  • AACG – ADDCA Advanced Certified Coach Graduate, ADDCA – The ADD/ADHD Coach Academy (2022)
  • AACC – ADDCA Associate Certified Coach, ADDCA – The ADD/ADHD Coach Academy (2021)

I’m also a member of the ICF (International Coaching Federation). While I meet the requirements for their PCC, I’ve chosen not to pursue the credential at this time due to ongoing concerns about accessibility and equity within the ICF. (You can read more about my decision here.)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Additionally, I am a member of the following organizations:

Coaching packages for new clients include up to 3 hours of session time per month. This means we can meet 2-3 times a month, with coaching sessions lasting either 60 or 90 minutes.

In addition to our scheduled session time, I offer:

  • Email and Voxer support between sessions
  • Session recordings & transcripts (Otter)
  • Private Client Portal & Resource Library
  • Customized Strengths Profile

Coaching packages for new clients are for 4 or 6 months of support (80% of my clients choose to extend their packages beyond the initial term). Some clients get what they need in 4-6 months; while others have been working with me for years, adjusting their goals and setting new ones along the way.

I request all new clients commit to working together for a minimum of 4 months since coaching is a process and it takes time to get going. The first 3-4 sessions are about getting to know each other and your brain wiring, so I recommend meeting more frequently to start (3x a month).

That said, you are welcome to walk away at any time. Coaching is vulnerable and hard work—I want this to be something you find both supportive and valuable. If I’m not the coach for you or you realize that the timing isn’t right for coaching, I respect that.

My rates reflect the depth of training, experience, and care I bring to this work, as well as the behind-the-scenes time I invest in supporting my clients. But ultimately, only you can determine if coaching is the right fit for your budget, goals, and capacity right now.

I welcome open conversations about the financial side of things. If you have any questions about my current rates, payment options, or whether coaching is the right fit for your circumstances, please send me an email.

Honesty is a core value of mine, and the coaching relationship is built on trust and clear communication. I don’t do hidden fees. I share my rates transparently via email when you first reach out. If anything changes while you’re on my waitlist, I’ll send you an update before offering an opening.

If cost is a concern, I want you to feel safe bringing that up. I try to reserve one reduced-rate scholarship space in my practice (typically available for up to 12 months), and I’m always happy to offer referrals or recommendations for other lower-cost options.

I typically start potential clients with a 45–60 minute complimentary consultation. This gives us a chance to get to know each other, explore what you’re looking for in coaching, and see whether we’re a good fit.

During the consult, I’ll walk you through my process, answer any questions you have, and offer a short coaching demo (usually 15–20 minutes) so you can get a feel for how I work. If it feels like a match, we’ll talk through next steps at the end of the call.

If you’d like to schedule a consult, please email me with a bit about yourself and what you’re hoping to gain from coaching. Before we meet, I’ll ask you to complete a brief screening form, which can help ensure we’re aligned and give you a head start in clarifying your coaching goals.

No; I am currently at capacity for new coaching clients. However, I may have some new spots opening up as early as June or July.

I’m always open to receiving new client inquiries and would be delighted to hear from you! Feel free to send me an email for information about my current availability and coaching packages, and to tell me a little about yourself.

In the spirit of transparency, I work with a limited number of clients. Due to the unique nature of each coaching journey, I can’t always forecast my next opening. The average waiting period is about 4-8 weeks. If you’re comfortable with this timeline and interested in fast tracking your enrollment, I’d be happy to explain how you can join my waitlist.

If I currently have a waitlist and you’d like to expedite your enrollment, please send me an email to inquire about my current rates and be sure to fill out this form to join my new client waitlist. When I have an opening, I’ll email you an invite with a private booking link to schedule a free consultation.

Emails are typically sent to members of my waitlist 1-2 times a month and meetings are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. (You may also want to ‘safelist’ my email address to ensure you don’t miss my email.)

I am located in the San Francisco Bay Area and work from my home office. I meet with clients for coaching sessions exclusively online via Zoom or by phone. These modalities allow for maximum flexibility and enable my clients to take advantage of coaching from a comfortable location of their choosing (home, work, in nature). I do not offer in-person coaching at this time.

I currently meet with clients for coaching session on Tuesdays and Thursdays, between the hours of 10:30 AM PT – 3:30 PM PT. I offer each client a recurring time slot so we can “set it and forget it,” and I schedule our sessions on a quarterly basis.

At this time, ADHD Coaching is not covered by insurance. I am not a licensed clinical practitioner and coaching is not considered medical treatment. Coaching is not therapy, nor is it a substitute for therapy.

That said, a number of my clients have successfully used their Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA) to pay for coaching. This typically requires a letter or prescription from a therapist or primary care physician (PCP) recommending “ADHD coaching” as a support. Please make sure to contact ​your benefits provider directly to confirm if this is possible. In these cases, my clients pay out of pocket and I provide them with receipts to submit for reimbursement​ after the fact.

You might also explore whether your employer offers professional development funds that can be used for coaching. Not everyone is comfortable disclosing an ADHD or Autism diagnosis at work, so some clients refer to this service as “executive function coaching” or “productivity coaching.” I’m happy to adjust invoice language to suit whatever terminology you’re most comfortable with.

Additionally, coaching may qualify as a tax-deductible professional development expense. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

FAQ: COACHING & ADHD COACHING

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ADHD coaching is an ongoing, collaborative partnership between a person who identifies with ADHD (and possibly other neurodivergent traits) and a professional coach trained in ADHD-specific frameworks, tools, and supports. As someone who is both professionally trained and multiply neurodivergent (Autistic and ADHD), I bring a lived understanding to this process that honors the complexity of the neurodivergent nervous system.

ADHD coaching is not about “fixing” a person. It’s an affirming, co-creative inquiry process  that empowers clients to understand their brain wiring so they can make choices, take action, and design a life that fits. Together, we explore the impact of ADHD (and often co-occurring traits like Autism, sensory sensitivities, or executive function variability), and identify strengths-based strategies aligned with how each client naturally processes, communicates, and thrives.

I offer a safe, non-judgmental, neurodiversity-affirming space where we can get curious, name what’s working or not, and design sustainable practices that support each client’s goals and quality of life. ADHD coaching is rooted in the belief that clients are already whole, creative, and resourceful human beings—who sometimes just need the right context, clarity, and support to move forward on their terms.

Coaching is a collaborative, professional partnership that supports individuals in achieving meaningful, personally-defined results. In coaching, the client chooses the focus—whether that’s navigating challenges, building on strengths, or designing systems that align with how they function best. The coach listens deeply, asks powerful questions, and offers reflections, frameworks, and curiosity to help generate insight, clarity, and next steps.

Coaching is forward-focused and action-oriented. It’s not about “fixing” problems, but about unlocking potential—helping clients move from where they are now toward where they want to be. It can be especially powerful for neurodivergent folks navigating complex inner and outer worlds.

As a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC), I follow core coaching competencies and ethical guidelines. These center the client’s autonomy and inner wisdom, recognizing that sustainable change is built on each person’s unique intentions, choices, and actions—with the coach walking alongside as a thought partner and guide.

As a neurodivergent coach, I bring this framework to life in a way that’s client-centered, flexible, and affirming. Coaching with me isn’t about generic productivity hacks—it’s a co-created space to explore what matters most to you, in a way that honors your processing style, lived experience, and capacity on any given day.

Most certified coaches are trained through programs accredited by organizations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and are grounded in the same core competencies: powerful listening, asking transformative questions, and partnering with clients to create meaningful change.

What sets ADHD coaching apart is the additional layer of specialized training in how ADHD and related executive function challenges show up in real life—emotionally, cognitively, behaviorally, and systemically. ADHD coaches are fluent in the science and lived experience of neurodivergence. We understand concepts like executive functioning, interest-based nervous systems, time insensitivity, sensory overwhelm, and task initiation through both research and real-world context. As clients become better educated about how their brain and nervous system impact their functioning, they’re more able to take actions that align with their needs, support their goals, and work with—rather than against—their natural wiring.

ADHD coaching also places a strong emphasis on normalizing experiences that are often pathologized. When your coach truly “gets it”—why you might bounce between hyperfocus and shutdown, why linear planners don’t work for you, or why rest might feel harder than productivity—it creates space for healing, insight, and forward movement.

As a coach who is both professionally trained and personally neurodivergent (Autistic and ADHD), I bring a layered understanding that goes beyond theory. I don’t just know the models—I’ve lived them. And that kind of resonance can be powerful for clients who’ve rarely felt fully seen, heard, or supported. While a general coach brings valuable skills, ADHD coaching requires a specialized knowledge base and lens that most training programs don’t provide.

Coaching can help you create real, meaningful change in how you live, work, and relate to yourself. Clients often report gaining fresh perspective on long-standing challenges, improving their decision-making, communicating more clearly, and feeling more confident in their ability to handle life’s demands.

For neurodivergent clients especially, coaching can be a powerful space to unmask, reconnect with your strengths, and build systems that actually work for your brain. Whether you’re aiming to manage time more effectively, reduce overwhelm, pursue a goal, or simply feel more at ease in your daily life—coaching supports you in making intentional, aligned progress.

At its best, coaching leads to greater clarity, more consistent follow-through, and a deeper sense of personal satisfaction—because it’s all built around you and how you naturally operate.

A good starting point is to ask yourself: What do I want to be different in my life right now? That doesn’t mean having everything figured out—but having even a loose sense of what you’re hoping for (less overwhelm, more clarity, a sense of momentum, etc.) can help determine if coaching is a fit.

Coaching works best when you’re open to partnership, curiosity, and trying new perspectives. You don’t need to be “high functioning” (functioning labels are harmful – here’s why) or have it all together. Just be ready to show up, be honest, and explore new ways of thinking and being. If you’re craving change but feel stuck, scattered, or unsure where to begin, coaching can help you move forward with more clarity and self-trust.

If you value collaboration and are willing to invest time and energy into your own growth, coaching may be a powerful way to reconnect with what matters and start making progress—on your terms.

People seek out coaching for all kinds of reasons. Here are a few common ones I see:

  • You’re navigating a change, challenge, or new opportunity—and want clarity, momentum, or support.
  • You’re bumping into a gap: in energy, confidence, time, focus, executive function, or self-trust.
  • You’re being asked to stretch, take on more, or lead in new ways—and it’s feeling like a lot.
  • You’ve got goals or dreams, but they’re stuck on pause. You’re ready to move, but unsure how.
  • Something’s not working: burnout, a recent setback, or just that nagging sense of being off-track.
  • You’re craving clarity around a decision or direction, but the mental clutter is real.
  • You’ve been successful in a traditional sense—but it’s not feeling aligned or sustainable anymore.
  • Life feels out of balance, and it’s showing up in your mood, energy, relationships, or health.
  • You want to reconnect with your strengths—and figure out how to build a life around them.
  • You’re looking for systems and strategies that actually work for your brain (and not just for people on Tik Tok).
  • You want things to feel simpler, clearer, and more yours.

Coaching creates space to explore, recalibrate, and take aligned action—with someone walking beside you, not above you.

The Coaching Process:

Coaching typically begins with a free consultation over Zoom. This is where we explore what’s going on in your world—your goals, challenges, patterns, and priorities—and see whether coaching together feels like the right support for you.

If we decide to work together, we’ll co-create a coaching partnership that aligns with your needs and preferences. Sessions are usually held via video call and last about 60 minutes. Most clients meet with me 3 weeks per month, but that cadence can be adjusted based on your energy, goals, and bandwidth.

Between sessions, you might choose to try out a strategy we discussed, reflect on a new insight, or simply notice how things are showing up in daily life. I may also offer optional tools like articles, models, or journaling prompts to support your exploration—but this is your process, not a to-do list. This is not school. You’re not being graded.

Coaching is designed to be flexible, responsive, and sustainable. Some clients work with me short-term to navigate a specific season or goal, while others continue long-term to support ongoing growth and integration.

Assessments:

Depending on your goals and preferences, I may offer optional assessments or tools to enhance your coaching journey. These could include strengths inventories, processing modality maps, values exercises, or other frameworks designed to increase self-awareness and insight.

The purpose of these tools isn’t to “diagnose” or label, but to help you better understand how you operate—and how to work with your brain, not against it. They can serve as jumping-off points for deeper reflection, highlight patterns you may not have seen before, and help us shape goals or strategies that are grounded in you.

If assessments feel helpful, we’ll use them. If they don’t, we won’t. No pressure, no boxes to fit into—just what feels supportive for your process.

Concepts, models, and principles:

Throughout our work together, I may introduce models or frameworks that can support your insight and growth. These might come from coaching psychology, neuroscience, values-based leadership, or even metaphors drawn from art, storytelling, or lived experience.

The goal isn’t to “teach” or prescribe—but to offer fresh ways of looking at things: new lenses for understanding what’s happening, making sense of challenges, or imagining what’s possible. Think of these tools as optional maps—you’re always in the driver’s seat, and we only use what feels relevant and empowering to you.

Many of the models I use are grounded in strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming principles, and are especially helpful for clients navigating ADHD, Autism, or other forms of neurodivergence.

Appreciative approach:

My coaching is grounded in an appreciative approach—meaning we focus on what’s working, what’s possible, and what’s most important to you. Rather than zeroing in on problems or deficits, we look at strengths, values, and moments of alignment to guide your growth and change.

This doesn’t mean we ignore challenges. It means we explore them through a lens of curiosity, compassion, and capacity—asking questions like: What do you want more of? What’s already working for you? What would feel a little easier or more doable right now?

This approach helps shift the focus from “what’s wrong” to “what’s next,” and creates space for experimentation, insight, and momentum.

The most important thing is fit. Coaching is a partnership, and it works best when you feel safe, understood, and able to be fully yourself with your coach. That “click” matters more than training and credentials alone.

Here are a few questions you might want to ask when interviewing a coach:

  • What kinds of clients do you typically work with?
  • What’s your experience with ADHD, Autism, or other neurodivergent traits?
  • What other specialized skills or experience do you bring to coaching?
  • What is your coaching experience? (number of clients coached, years of experience, types of situations)
  • What kind of coach training have you completed? Do you hold an ICF or PAAC credential? Are you enrolled in an accredited training program or working toward certification?
  • What’s your general approach or coaching philosophy?
  • What is your specific process for coaching? (session structure, frequency, between-session support, etc.)
  • Can you share some examples of how coaching has helped past clients?

Ultimately, you’re looking for someone who gets where you’re coming from, honors your goals, and knows how to walk alongside you—not above you.

The length of the coaching partnership varies. Some clients work with me for 4-6 months to navigate a specific transition, decision, or challenge. Others stay in coaching longer to support deeper self-discovery, habit change, or ongoing integration of new ways of living and working.

The length of our partnership depends on things like:

  • Your goals and how you want to approach them.
  • Your capacity and preferred pace.
  • How often we meet (most clients meet 3 times a month).
  • What kind of support feels sustainable for you, including financially.

There’s no pressure to commit beyond what feels right for you. We’ll check in regularly about how things are going and adjust as needed.

The best coaching relationships are co-created. That means we build trust, clarity, and communication together—intentionally and with care.

To find the right fit, you might start by asking:

  • Do I feel safe and seen with this person?
  • Do I feel like I can be honest—even when I’m struggling?
  • Do I feel invited to show up as I am, not as I “should” be?

I offer a free consultation so we can explore this together. There’s no pressure to commit—it’s just a chance to talk, ask questions, and get a feel for what working together might be like.

If we decide to partner, we’ll talk early on about how we want to work together: what kind of support feels good, how we’ll handle feedback, and what to do if something ever feels off. My goal is to make this a space where you feel not only supported, but empowered to name what’s working—and what isn’t.

You deserve a coach who respects your voice, your goals, and your lived experience. And you’re always allowed to ask for what you need.

The role of the coach:

As your coach, my role is to hold space, ask powerful questions, and walk alongside you with curiosity, clarity, and compassion. I’m here to help you slow down, notice patterns, challenge old narratives, and create space for new possibilities.

That might look like:

  • Listening deeply—not just to what you say, but how you say it.
  • Reflecting back insights or patterns you may not have seen yet.
  • Exploring your strengths, values, and goals to help guide your next steps.
  • Offering tools, models, or frameworks when helpful—not as prescriptions, but invitations.
  • Holding the big picture when things feel messy or unclear.
  • Supporting you in taking aligned action, at your own pace and in your own way.

I also maintain clear professional boundaries, honor your privacy, and follow ethical guidelines set by the ICF and PAAC. This is your space, and it’s built around trust, safety, and respect.

The role of the client:

You’re the expert on your life. As the client, your role is to bring what matters most to you into the coaching space—whether it’s a specific goal, a challenge you’re untangling, or a general sense that something needs to shift.

This might include:

  • Naming what you’d like to focus on, even if it’s still a little fuzzy.
  • Showing up with curiosity about yourself and how your brain works.
  • Exploring new perspectives and playing with what feels possible.
  • Taking actions (small or big!) that align with your values and capacity.
  • Reflecting on what’s working—and what’s not—so we can adjust together.

You don’t have to be “on” or always making “perfect” progress (perfect is a myth). The coaching journey is often messy and non-linear. There’s actually quite a bit happening in the background… This is a co-created space where your honesty, insight, and willingness to experiment are enough. I’m here to support you, but you set the tone, the pace, and the priorities.

What does coaching ask of the client?

Coaching is a collaborative process—but there are a few things it asks of you to make the most of our work together. None of them require you to have it all figured out or to “perform.” What they do require is intention—a willingness to show up and stay curious.

Coaching may invite you to:

  • Focus: not on fixing yourself, but on tuning in to what you want, what matters, and what’s getting in the way.
  • Observe: patterns in your own thoughts, behaviors, and interactions with others—not to judge, but to understand.
  • Listen: to your intuition, your resistance, your values, and the stories you tell yourself.
  • Practice Compassion: for yourself and for others–especially when trying new things, facing setbacks, or just navigating a hard day.
  • Take Action: at your own pace and in your own way, toward the goals and values that matter most to you. Discomfort can be a sign of growth.
  • Stay With It: Persistence over consistency. This work is about recalibration. Progress happens when you are willing to begin again, reorient, and keep going–even when it’s messy.
  • Honor Your Feelings: Your emotional truth is welcome here—loud, quiet, messy, or uncertain. We’ll create space to tend to your nervous system and get curious about what your emotions are telling you.
  • Practice Responsibility: for your feelings and your actions. This work invites you to non-judgmentally notice your impact, take ownership when harm occurs, and stay in relationship with yourself and others as you move through repair.
    Question Assumptions: especially the ones that say “this is just how things are” or “that’s not possible.”
  • Stay Open to Growth: not because you need to “optimize,” but because you deserve a life that fits and feels like yours.
  • Embrace Discomfort (With Care): Fear and doubt aren’t always signs to stop—they’re often signals you’re brushing up against a growth edge. Part of our work will be learning how to tell the difference between a challenge and a threat, and how to soothe your nervous system while stretching within your capacity.
  • Use Humor: because growth is hard, and laughter heals. Try not to take yourself too seriously. You’re allowed to be both a work in progress and a whole-ass human.
  • Be Honest: about what you want, what you need, and what’s possible for you right now (not what you or others think you should want/need).

Most of all, coaching asks that you keep showing up—not perfectly, but authentically. That’s where change begins.

Success in coaching looks different for everyone—and we’ll define it together. Some clients come in with clear external goals (like building a new habit, managing time differently, or making a career move). Others are seeking more internal shifts—greater clarity, emotional regulation, confidence, or a stronger connection to their values.

We’ll co-create ways to track what matters to you. This might include:

  • Noticing progress toward a specific goal or intention.
  • Shifts in how you talk to yourself or show up in relationships.
  • Changes in how you manage your energy, attention, or overwhelm.
  • Feeling more regulated, grounded, or able to recover from setbacks.
  • Moving from confusion to clarity—or from stuckness to momentum.

Sometimes success shows up in tangible wins. Other times, it’s a quieter, deeper sense of alignment. You get to define what growth looks like—and we’ll check in regularly to notice and celebrate it.

Coaching is an investment—in your time, your energy, and your growth. It’s important to find a coaching relationship that feels both valuable and sustainable.

Here are a few things you might consider:

  • What kind of support do you need—and is now the right time for that kind of support?
  • What benefits are you hoping to gain, and how would those changes impact your life?
  • How long do you imagine wanting coaching support (short-term clarity? long-term integration?)
  • Is this an investment you feel comfortable making without resentment, stress, or pressure?

To become a certified ADHD coach, you need more than passion—you need specialized training in both ADHD and professional coaching competencies.

There are two core areas of training:

  • General coaching skills (like active listening, powerful questioning, and ethical partnership)
  • ADHD-specific education (including executive function, brain wiring, emotional regulation, and neurodivergent processing)

Most certified ADHD coaches train through programs accredited by the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC) and/or the International Coaching Federation (ICF). These programs include coursework, coaching practice, mentor coaching, and a required number of experience hours.

You can explore an outline of ADHD coach certification requirements on the PAAC website or check out the ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) website for a current list of ADHD coach training programs.

FAQ: COACHING vs. OTHER SERVICE PROFESSIONS

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Coaching is a distinct, collaborative process focused on helping you make meaningful changes in your present and future. That might mean setting goals, building supportive systems, shifting patterns, or creating more alignment in your life and work. Again: It’s not about “fixing”—it’s about exploring what’s possible and taking action in a way that fits you.

Read on to learn how coaching differs from other common support roles.

THERAPY VS. COACHING

Therapy focuses on healing emotional pain, trauma, and dysfunction. It often explores how past experiences impact present functioning and supports clients in processing those experiences to improve psychological and emotional wellbeing. Therapy may involve diagnosis, clinical treatment, and tools for managing mental health. The primary focus is internal healing—often looking backward to understand the present.

Coaching is forward-focused and action-oriented. It supports personal and professional growth based on what the client wants to change, build, or explore. Rather than focusing on what’s wrong, coaching centers strengths, goals, and insight—helping clients take meaningful steps toward a life that fits. The emphasis is on clarity, momentum, and follow-through—not clinical treatment.

In ADHD coaching, we may introduce tools or psychoeducation at the point of need—especially to help name patterns or increase awareness of how ADHD or other neurodivergent traits might be showing up.

While emotional insight can be part of the process, coaching is not therapy or a substitute for mental health care. This is why many clients choose to work with both a therapist and a coach for more holistic support.

CONSULTING VS. COACHING

Consultants are hired for their expertise. They analyze problems, offer advice, and often implement solutions on behalf of the client or organization. The consultant is typically seen as the expert and may direct the process or outcome. The focus is on solving a problem for the client.

In coaching, the client is the expert on their own life. The coach supports the client in uncovering insights, clarifying goals, and identifying their own best strategies for change. Rather than diagnosing problems, the coach helps the client get curious about what’s getting in the way—and what might be possible. The focus is on collaboration, curiosity, and growth from within.

While ADHD coaching is still client-led, there are moments when the coach may offer tools, resources, or ADHD-informed insights to help bridge awareness gaps—especially around executive function, nervous system regulation, and processing styles. These are always shared with consent and in support of the client’s autonomy. The goal isn’t to fix, but to empower clients with the language, context, and strategies that help them move forward on their own terms.

MENTORING VS. COACHING

Mentoring is based on sharing wisdom from personal or professional experience—often in a specific field, role, or stage of development. The mentor may act as a guide or role model, offering advice based on what worked for them. The dynamic is often “I’ve done this—let me show you how.”

In coaching, the client leads. The coach doesn’t give advice or prescribe a path, but instead partners with the client to explore their unique values, goals, and ways of thinking. Insight is co-created, not handed down. The focus is on helping the client find what works for them.

Because I’m both a professionally trained ADHD coach and personally neurodivergent, I sometimes share lived experience—especially when it can help a client feel less alone or spark self-reflection. But I never assume my story is your solution. If I offer a personal example, it’s always with consent and curiosity, not direction. We don’t do “this worked for me, so it should work for you.” We explore what might work for you.

TRAINING (OR TEACHING) VS. COACHING

Training typically follows a structured curriculum with specific learning objectives set by the trainer or instructor. The process is often linear, with a clear sequence of lessons, content, and outcomes. The focus is on transferring knowledge or teaching skills in a standardized way. It’s about mastering predefined content on someone else’s timeline.

Coaching doesn’t follow a set curriculum. The client sets the goals, and the coach supports exploration, reflection, and action based on what matters most to the client. The path isn’t linear—it’s flexible, responsive, and guided by the client’s own insight and readiness. It’s about learning through discovery, not instruction.

In ADHD coaching, we may occasionally introduce a model, framework, or strategy—but only when it supports your learning in the moment. There’s no fixed curriculum. What we explore is shaped by your goals, your energy, and how your brain learns best. Sometimes that means slowing down, looping back, or starting from a different angle. We’re not following a lesson plan—we’re building a process that actually works for you.

ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT VS. COACHING

In sports, the coach is often positioned as the expert—providing direction, correcting mistakes, and driving performance. The focus is on execution, skill improvement, and achieving external results. There’s often a clear right or wrong way to perform. The coach leads; the athlete follows.

Coaching is client-led and strength-based. The coach partners with the client to explore goals, growth edges, and possibilities—not to evaluate performance, but to foster self-awareness and momentum. There’s no one “right” way—just what works for you. The coach walks beside you, not ahead of you.

In ADHD coaching, we may work on things like planning, follow-through, or performance. But it’s never about forcing productivity or correcting “failures.” We focus on understanding how your brain and nervous system function best, then design strategies that support your capacity and goals. Everything is shaped by your experience—no drills, no shaming, no hustle culture. It’s not about pushing through. It’s about moving forward in a way that feels possible.

ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT VS. COACHING

In sports, the coach is often positioned as the expert—providing direction, correcting mistakes, and driving performance. The focus is on execution, skill improvement, and achieving external results. There’s often a clear right or wrong way to perform. The coach leads; the athlete follows.

Coaching is client-led and strength-based. The coach partners with the client to explore goals, growth edges, and possibilities—not to evaluate performance, but to foster self-awareness and momentum. There’s no one “right” way—just what works for you. The coach walks beside you, not ahead of you.

In ADHD coaching, we may work on things like planning, follow-through, or performance. But it’s never about forcing productivity or correcting “failures.” We focus on understanding how your brain and nervous system function best, then design strategies that support your capacity and goals. Everything is shaped by your experience—no drills, no shaming, no hustle culture. It’s not about pushing through. It’s about moving forward in a way that feels possible.

*Some questions have been adapted from ICF Branding and Marketing Subcommittee & PAAC.

Caitlin standing in front of the San Francisco Bay Bridge

MY IDENTITY & COMMITMENTS

I am a white, cisgender woman. I am multiply neurodivergent—Autistic, ADHD, and living with PTSD. I’m also a parent, a partner, a homeowner in San Francisco, a college graduate, and an entrepreneur. I move through the world with invisible disabilities.

I am a survivor of intense bullying, sexual assault, a traumatic childbirth, and institutional silencing. I’ve navigated multiple barriers in higher education and the workplace. I’ve been shamed, dismissed, and nearly expelled. I carry stories shaped by pain—and by resilience.

I also carry privileges I did nothing to earn: a suburban, upper-middle-class upbringing, access to healthcare and education, a financial safety net, and a family who supported me, including paying for most of my college tuition. I am in a loving, supportive marriage.

I acknowledge that my white, cis, and able-bodied privileges make it easier for me to be openly vulnerable about my neurodivergence and disability. I understand the impact these privileges have on my thoughts, views, and business practices.

I am committed to unlearning white supremacy and colonialism, and to dismantling ableism—both the kind the world imposed on me and the kind I internalized. I do not have all the answers. I am only an expert in my lived experience (which I continuously re-examine). I know I will not always get it right.

I welcome feedback and being held accountable. I believe that tone policing is harmful, and I do not expect others to soften their truth to make me more comfortable. I’m committed to listening, learning, and doing better—even when the truth is hard to hear.

CONNECT WITH CAITLIN

Interested in working together? I offer a FREE consult & coaching session to see if we might be a fit. Send me an email to learn more!