How to Find an ADHD Coach- and why ADHD coaching helps

*Plus how to access funding in Australia and the UK

If you’re looking for an ADHD coach, you may already know how overwhelming that process can feel.

You may be wondering:

• What does an ADHD coach actually do?

• How do I know if someone is qualified?

• How do I find the right fit?

• How can I get help with the cost?

  
  

With ADHD, decision fatigue and overwhelm can make even starting the search feel difficult.

The good news is there are ways to make the process simpler - and if you’re in Australia or the UK, funding may be available to help cover the cost.

What does an ADHD coach do?

ADHD coaching helps you better understand how ADHD shows up in your daily life and supports you to build practical, sustainable ways of working with your brain.

Coaching commonly supports with areas such as:

• Executive functioning

• Time management

• Prioritisation

• Emotional regulation

• Reducing overwhelm

• Burnout prevention and recovery

• Building systems that work for you

For many adults, receiving an ADHD diagnosis brings validation and sometimes medication recommendations - but often very little support beyond that. Additionally, many descriptions out there of ADHD are based on children- or people who haven’t spent a lifetime masking their experiences, meaning it can be hard to see yourself in those descriptions.

Or maybe you've read everything you can get your hands on about ADHD and whilst you understand it in theory, making any changes that stick has been tough.

This leaves many people asking: “Now what?”

Many people come to coaching believing they simply need better time management or organisation or that one strategy they're missing. In reality, they've often spent years collecting strategies. The challenge isn't a lack of ideas of what to try. The issue is that there is a very real gap between knowing the strategy and understanding why one approach works brilliantly for a few weeks before stopping, or why advice that transforms someone else leaves you feeling even more overwhelmed.

Coaching helps bridge that gap between understanding ADHD and creating lasting change.

Good ADHD coaching doesn't tell you what you should be doing or forcing you into rigid systems or trying harder.

Coaching helps you understand your patterns, identifying what genuinely works for you, and creating sustainable change. It is personalised to your specific needs and challenges.

One worry I hear again and again is:

"What if I can't stick to the strategies that come up in coaching?"

Many people come to coaching carrying years of frustration. They've tried planners, apps, routines and countless ADHD "hacks". They're worried this will be another experience of trying hard, not following through and feeling like they've failed.

But those moments are some of the most valuable parts of coaching.

Rather than seeing resistance to a strategy as failure, we become curious about it- we even celebrate it! If something doesn't stick, it doesn't tell us anything about your commitment or effort. It tells us something about the strategy. Together, we explore why it wasn't a good fit and use that information to find approaches that are more likely to work for you.

Exactly what an ADHD coach explores with the client is also dependent on their approach and training. Personally, in addition to the above, I find it important and effective to work beyond.

Because it’s not just a case of just needing relevant strategies. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a client who hasn’t worked extremely hard trying various ‘hacks and strategies but find it hard to maintain the results they hope for. This is because after years of being undiagnosed it can be important to work on other areas such as self-esteem, confidence, anxiety, the nervous system and areas where clients may experience internalised ableism. Without this, sustainable change can be difficult.

How to find a qualified ADHD coach

Not all coaches have ADHD-specific training, experience or thorough coach training, so it’s important to do some due diligence before committing but this of course can add to the overwhelm.

A good place to start is with ADHD coaching directories, especially ones that verify training and experience because this saves you the job!

ADHD WA Professional Directory

An excellent resource is the👉 ADHD WA Professional Directory.

They list a range of ADHD professionals, including coaches and other specialists.

Professionals listed in the directory have been reviewed by the ADHD WA Clinical Advisory Committee and recognised for their training and experience supporting people with ADHD.

Although ADHD WA is based in Western Australia, many professionals work online with clients across Australia and internationally.

They also provide helpful resources including fact sheets, webinars, and educational content.

Whilst Australia based, many coaches offer videocall sessions internationally🙋‍♀️

How to choose the right ADHD coach

Credentials matter - but fit matters too.

A highly qualified coach is great but not every individual will be the right fit for you.

That’s why discovery calls can be incredibly useful.

Speaking with a coach gives you the opportunity to get a feel for:

• Their approach

• Their communication style

• Their understanding of ADHD

• Whether you feel comfortable with them

You’re looking for someone who feels both knowledgeable and safe enough to be honest with.

Trust matters.

The right coaching relationship can make a significant difference.

What do I talk about in a discovery call?

Don't worry about the call. You don't need to prepare for it and don't need to refine years of challenge into a 20 min chat. The coach should guide the call. What can be helpful is to share some of the key challenges you're currently experiencing. You might also want to ask questions like:

• What types of clients do you typically work with?

• How would you describe your coaching approach?

• What training/experience do you have?

• What happens during a typical session?

• How do you adapt coaching if strategies stop working?

Funding in Australia and the UK

These funds exist to help people with disability (yes ADHD counts as a disability) access workplace adjustments and support such as ADHD coaching.

Because ADHD can significantly affect executive functioning, workload management, organisation, and burnout, ADHD coaching may be considered a workplace support.

This means coaching may be partially or fully funded if approved.

This may also apply if you are:

• Self-employed

• A job seeker

• Recently offered a new role

  
  

Australia

If you live in Australia and have an ADHD diagnosis you may be eligible for funding through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) via JobAccess.

And great news for ADHDers is that you will get a response to your application within 10 working days.

More here on the steps JobAccess’s guide

UK

Similar to JobAccess, in the UK funding can be applied for from Access to work.

Different to JobAccess, funding doesn’t require an official diagnosis for you to be considered.

More on steps to apply for Access to work.

Important:  In both cases, Don’t pay for supports before approval

Do not purchase or book anything until you receive written approval from JobAccess/Access to work.

If you book coaching or buy equipment before written approval, you may not be reimbursed.

The biggest challenge? Paperwork

The hardest part for many ADHDers often isn’t eligibility.

It’s paperwork.

Forms, admin, multiple steps - this is exactly the kind of process ADHD can make harder.

If paperwork feels overwhelming, make it easier on yourself.

A few things that can help:

• Use a body double or accountability buddy

• Ask a friend or family member to sit with you while you complete the application

• Break the application into small chunks

  
  

And remember, just get it done- it doesn’t have to be perfect. Both JobAccess and AccesstoWork provide an advisor who can ask further questions if needed.

Final thoughts

Finding the right ADHD coach can feel overwhelming at first, but support is available.

The right coach can help you better understand your ADHD, reduce overwhelm, and build ways of working that feel more sustainable and supportive.

And if funding is available to you, coaching may be more accessible than you think.

You don’t need to figure everything out alone.

Don’t know where to start? Try visiting a directory and booking a discovery call with a couple of coaches.

*All funding information was correct at the time of writing. However, eligibility criteria and funding arrangements may change.

About Louise

I'm an ADHD coach with a background in psychology and education, helping adults with ADHD and AuDHD understand how ADHD shows up in their strengths and challenges, and develop approaches that create lasting change.

Many of my clients have spent years learning about ADHD- they've read the books, listened to the podcasts but still feel overwhelmed by everyday life.

Coaching helps bridge the gap between understanding ADHD and turning that understanding into meaningful, lasting change.

Ready to take the next step?

If this article resonated with you, book a free 20-minute discovery call to tell me a little about what's been going on, ask any questions you have, and find out whether coaching is the right fit for you.👉 Click here