Question 1

What's the difference between ADHD coaching and therapy/counselling?

Accepted Answer

It's a really common question, and while there are some overlaps, the focus is quite different! It's super important to remember that ADHD coaching isn't a replacement for medical advice, mental health treatment, or therapy.

Think of it this way:
Therapy (Psychology or Counselling) often looks backwards to heal forwards. It can help you process past issues, work through deep trauma, assist with a broad range of mental health diagnoses, and provide psychoeducation.
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ADHD Coaching is all about moving forward, from here, right now. We focus on your present challenges and future goals. Instead of me telling you what to do (because that's not coaching!), we partner to help you:

Increase your self-awareness about how your unique ADHD brain works.
Discover and overcome everyday obstacles and barriers.
Build practical strategies for things like overwhelm, time management, and focus.
Have a dedicated sounding board for exploring your choices and taking action.
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If therapy helps you understand why you got stuck, coaching helps you figure out how to get unstuck and powerfully move forward.

Question 2

Is ADHD coaching a form of ADHD treatment?

Accepted Answer

While ADHD coaching isn't a medical intervention or a substitute for therapy (which might involve medication or clinical treatment for other mental health conditions as well), it's a powerful and essential form of support in its own right.
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Think of it like this: managing ADHD is often about building a comprehensive toolkit. Medication and therapy are certainly vital tools for many, and they address specific aspects of ADHD. Coaching is another incredibly vital tool in that toolkit. it’s not about diagnosis or cures; instead, we focus entirely on equipping you with practical strategies for daily life, strengthening your executive functions, and helping you truly leverage your unique ADHD brain to achieve your goals.
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Effectively managing ADHD is most successful when you build a multi-modal approach that genuinely works for you. Coaching plays an active and invaluable role in that journey, helping you to not just understand your ADHD, but to thrive with it every single day.

Question 3

Who is ADHD coaching for? (And who isn't it for?)

Accepted Answer

ADHD coaching is for adults who are genuinely ready to build a life that truly works for their unique brain. If you're constantly battling overwhelm, struggling with impulsivity or motivation, or perhaps heading towards (or already deep in!) burnout, chances are we'd be a great fit. It's for those who have specific challenges they want to tackle head-on and are eager to explore practical strategies.
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I love supporting adults ready to make positive changes, regardless of age, so if that sounds like you, you're welcome here. You are not too much, too hard, or too far gone for coaching. You haven't gone too long without support. Anyone can get great results from coaching, come and see for yourself.
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Who ADHD coaching is NOT for (and who might need different support):
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If you're in a mental health crisis: Coaching is not a crisis service. Please reach out to a mental health professional immediately if you're struggling with a crisis.
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If someone else wants you here more than you do: Coaching works best when you are truly motivated to be here and actively engage. If a partner, parent, or employer is pushing you, it's probably not the right time.
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If you're seeking therapy for past trauma or deep emotional processing: While coaching supports your present and future, it doesn't replace the vital work of therapy for these specific needs.

Question 4

I'm a parent of a child with ADHD. Can you help me or my child?

Accepted Answer

That's a common question, and I truly understand the unique journey parents navigate when supporting a child with ADHD. While my ADHD coaching is dedicated to empowering adults with ADHD, I often work with parents like you who are experiencing their own set of challenges related to parenting ADHD children.
Here’s how I can support your family's ADHD journey:

Support for YOU (the parent): One of the most impactful things you can do for your child with ADHD is to model strategies for managing similar challenges yourself. We can also explore strategies for co-regulating with your child. I partner with you to build personalised, practical strategies that work for your brain, helping you find more flow in your daily life; whether it's managing parental overwhelm, organisation, or exploring your own adult ADHD if you suspect it.

Guidance for Your CHILD: I do not coach ADHD children directly. However, I offer a no-pressure initial chat to discuss your child's specific needs and your family's situation. Even if you're sure you don't need coaching for yourself, this call is incredibly valuable. I have a highly-rated network of trusted, qualified ADHD coaches who specialise in working with children and schools, and I can provide ADHD coaching referrals to those who are truly a perfect fit for your child.

My goal is to help your whole family thrive by ensuring parents are well-supported too.
Ready to explore the best path for your family's ADHD journey?
Book a Free Consultation with me today.

Question 5

How can ADHD coaching help me if I feel overwhelmed/disorganised/stuck?

Accepted Answer

That feeling of constant overwhelm, never-ending disorganisation, or just being utterly stuck? It's incredibly common for ADHD brains, and it's definitely not a reflection of your effort or intelligence.
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ADHD coaching helps by creating a judgment-free space to explore your unique challenges. Instead of generic advice, we partner to help you build practical strategies and systems that truly work for your brain. This means:
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Getting Clear: Untangling the mental mess and figuring out where to start.
Taking Action: Moving past procrastination and initiating tasks that matter.
Managing Your World: Creating structures for your time, tasks, and environment that actually stick.
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We focus on strengthening your executive functions and discovering your innate strengths. It's about finding your unique flow, so you can ditch feeling stuck and genuinely start thriving.

Question 6

How do I choose a qualified ADHD coach? Why is certification important?

Accepted Answer

t's a really smart question to ask, because you're right: coaching isn't a regulated industry, so anyone can call themselves an ADHD coach. It's a bit like choosing a mechanic, you want someone who actually knows what they're doing under the hood, not just someone with a spanner!
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To ensure you're getting a qualified and ethical ADHD coach who genuinely understands how to support neurodivergent brains, here's what to look for:

Professional Certification: The gold standard is certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This means your coach has completed rigorous training, demonstrated specific coaching competencies, and adheres to a strict code of ethics.
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Specialised ADHD Training: While general coaching skills are great, an ADHD coach benefits immensely from specific training in understanding the nuances of ADHD. This ensures they "get" how your unique brain works.
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I'm committed to these standards myself. I've completed my specialised ADHD Coach Training at the International ADHD Coach Training Centre (iACT Centre), and I'm currently working towards my Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential with the ICF. This means you're partnering with someone who's dedicated to high-quality, ethical, and knowledgeable ADHD coaching for you.

Question 7

Do I need an official ADHD diagnosis to start coaching with you?

Accepted Answer

No, you absolutely do not need an official ADHD diagnosis to start coaching with me.
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Many adults who seek ADHD coaching are either self-diagnosed, suspect they have ADHD, or are on a long waiting list for an assessment. My coaching focuses on building practical strategies for managing the day-to-day challenges that often come with ADHD traits, regardless of whether you have a formal label.
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If you struggle with things like overwhelm, disorganisation, focus, motivation, or impulsivity, and you're ready to explore how to work with your unique brain, then coaching could be a great fit for you. We'll concentrate on what's working for your brain and how to build skills to navigate your world.
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(Just to be clear: I don't provide ADHD diagnoses myself, but I can offer insights into navigating the diagnostic process if that's something you're exploring.)

Question 8

What can I expect in an ADHD coaching session?

Accepted Answer

Stepping into an ADHD coaching session with me is all about creating a space where you feel truly supported and understood. We build a genuine partnership, navigating your topics together without any "shoulds" or me telling you what's wrong. Instead, we focus on leveraging your ADHD strengths and building practical strategies for managing ADHD challenges that genuinely work for your unique brain.
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You'll find it's a judgment-free zone where your comfort is key. That's the best bit of our sessions: you can spin on your chair, fidget, grab a snack, or even be outside if that helps you think. There are no formal meetings here! We'll dive deep and get things done, but there's always room for laughter, smiles, and probably both of us forgetting what we're about to say one or twice.
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Logistically, all our sessions are held securely online via Google Meet. You can choose between 60-minute or 90-minute sessions, booked flexibly to suit your schedule; many clients find weekly or fortnightly sessions work best. All you need is a quiet, comfortable space where you can focus, and a strong internet connection.
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To help you plan ahead, here’s a typical session structure:
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Bringing Your Topic: You'll bring along a topic or challenge you're eager to work on for the session.
Getting Clear: We'll start with some initial questions to help us both get really clear on the specific topic and what you want to achieve by the end of our time together.
Diving In: Then, we'll dive in and chat it through, exploring your ideas and insights.
Action & Reflection: Towards the end, we'll reflect back on what you've learned or discovered during the session and set a clear goal or action step for you to work on between our sessions.

Question 9

Where are your ADHD coaching sessions held? Do you offer in-person coaching in Warrnambool?

Accepted Answer

My ADHD coaching sessions are held exclusively online, via video call. Think of it as having your own dedicated support, right there in your comfy clothes, from your couch!
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While I'm proudly based in Warrnambool, Victoria, the beauty of online ADHD coaching is that it allows me to support clients across Australia (and even the world!). This means no travel time, no battling traffic or finding parking, and you can access your sessions from anywhere that feels safe and comfortable for your unique ADHD brain.
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Generally, my services are online. However, I'm genuinely passionate about supporting my local Warrnambool community. So, if seeing someone face-to-face is truly important to you, please reach out. I'm always open to discussing in-person options to ensure you get the support you need right here in Warrnambool.

Question 10

How long does ADHD coaching take? / How many sessions do I need?

Accepted Answer

This is a great question, and the honest answer is: it depends on you and your ADHD goals! Everyone's journey is unique, and we're building skills for life, not just quick fixes.
Here's how it generally works with my programs:
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ADHD Life Kit: This comprehensive program is designed as a foundational journey, with a set number of sessions (refer to the program details on my Services page). It's perfect for a deep dive into understanding your ADHD brain and building your initial toolkit of executive function strategies.
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Focus Forward Sessions: These are incredibly flexible! You can book and pay for sessions individually for as long as you find them beneficial. This is ideal for tackling specific challenges as they come up, or for ongoing support to keep your momentum going.
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Many clients find that an initial, more intensive period of coaching (like the Life Kit, or several focused Focus Forward sessions) is incredibly powerful for building that initial traction and getting clear on core ADHD strategies. After that, it's really up to you! Some clients then transition to less frequent "check-in" sessions, perhaps every few weeks or months, to maintain progress and tackle new hurdles. Others might complete a focused batch of sessions, put their new tools into practice, and then return for another "batch" later on when new challenges emerge or they're ready for another growth spurt.
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The beauty of it is, ADHD coaching is about building sustainable practices. You're developing skills you'll use for life, and having ongoing support can be incredibly helpful for accountability, refining strategies, and navigating new seasons of life with your ADHD brain. It's always your choice, for as long as you're getting what you need from it.

Question 11

Do you offer Medicare or private health insurance rebates for ADHD coaching in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, ADHD coaching is generally not covered by Medicare or private health insurance rebates in Australia.
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This is because coaching isn't a medical or clinical treatment. Medicare rebates are typically for services provided by registered medical or allied health professionals under specific treatment plans (like a Mental Health Treatment Plan). Similarly, most private health insurance policies don't cover coaching as part of their standard extras, though some very specific 'health and wellness' packages might have limited coverage. It’s always best to check directly with your individual fund.
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However, it's worth noting that JobAccess funding can sometimes be used to cover the cost of ADHD coaching as a workplace support if you're eligible. It's always best to research their current guidelines for eligibility.

Question 12

Can I use JobAccess funding to pay for ADHD coaching in Australia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, JobAccess funding can sometimes be used to cover the cost of ADHD coaching!
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JobAccess is a government initiative designed to help people with disability (including many neurodivergent individuals) gain or maintain employment. If you're eligible for JobAccess support, it can potentially fund workplace adjustments, which might include ADHD coaching as a valuable support for your employment.
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It's important to research their current guidelines and eligibility criteria directly on the JobAccess website https://www.jobaccess.gov.au/

Question 13

Do you provide ADHD diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

No, I do not provide ADHD diagnoses.
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An official ADHD diagnosis in Australia can only be given by a specialist such as a psychiatrist, a paediatrician (for children and adolescents), or a psychologist with expertise in ADHD assessments. Your General Practitioner (GP) is usually the best first step, as they can screen for ADHD and provide referrals to these specialists. My role as an ADHD coach is to help you manage the practical challenges of ADHD traits and build strategies.
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However, if you're exploring the diagnostic process, are on a long waiting list (which is incredibly common!), or just trying to make sense of your traits, I can absolutely offer support. We can work together to understand your unique brain and build strategies for managing your day-to-day, regardless of formal labels.

Your ADHD Coaching Questions, Answered

Frequently asked questions