Coaching IS
- A Partnership
- Goal Oriented
- Driven by the Client
- Individualized, even in group programs
Coaching is NOT
- Therapy or advice
- Mentoring or consulting
- Driven by the Coach
- One-Size-Fits-All
Coaching FAQs
What Is Coaching?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. ICF’s vision is that coaching is an integral part of a thriving society and every ICF Member represents the highest quality of professional coaching. A life coach is a partner who may provide support, validation, curiosity and a safe space to help clients get to where they want to be.
What Is Coaching Not?
Coaching, while beneficial to many people, is not therapy. It is not mentoring, counseling, or consulting. Coaching is not giving advice or judging your decisions.
What Does That Mean To Me?
All that means that I believe that our relationship is a partnership. Coaching sessions are driven by the clients’ goals, hopes, dreams, aspirations and pace. At All Belong Coaching, your coaching services are individualized to your needs. I come to our sessions with the belief that my clients are whole and complete people who do not need to be fixed. Working together we will strive to identify and tap into your personal strengths, discover and dismantle road blocks, and make a plan that will support your goal of getting from where you are now to where you want to be.
What Areas Do I Specialize In?
I specialize in ADHD Affirming Coaching. My focus is on students and adults ages 12 and over as well as on parents of kids with ADHD. I have ADHD too. So do my kids. I have been in similar places as you have, and when I say I understand, or I get it, you can be assured that I really do get it. My desire is to help parents of ADHD kids develop the mindset, tools, and skills they need to bring peace to their home and help their child shine; as well as to help teens and adults with ADHD to develop skills and strategies to identify personal strengths, eliminate roadblocks, and find practical tips and routines that work for them. I enjoy working with parents, and I enjoy working with students transitioning from middle to high school or high school to independent adult living.
Is ADHD Coaching the same as life coaching? Is ADHD Parent Coaching the same as traditional parent coaching?
Definitely NOT. Many ADHD Coaches are certified life coaches, like I am. But most life coaches are not ADHD coaches. Most ADHD parent coaching is very different than parent coaches for neurotypical kids. As you may have learned, strategies that work for neurotypical kids often do not work, or do not work YET, for kids with ADHD.
On the PAAC (The Professional Association for ADHD Coaches) website, it describes the process of ADHD coaching as “an ongoing collaborative partnership between a person with ADHD traits, including persons impacted by ADHD, and a professional coach who brings current ADHD knowledge, best practices, understanding, and ADHD-friendly skills and tools to facilitate positive personal and professional change for the client. The ADHD coaching partnership is an appreciative and creative inquiry process that empowers clients to learn about themselves and their unique brain processing so they can make choices and take action to create the lives they choose to live.”
PAAC goes on to say, “The ADHD coach listens with an appreciation and working experience of how ADHD may be impacting the client. ADHD coaches create a safe, non-judgmental environment, listen with an understanding, observe what is preventing the client from reaching specific goals, explore ways in which the client can maximize strengths, talents, and passion, and enlist strategies and behaviors congruent with the ADHD client’s learning, processing, and organization styles. ADHD coaches regard their clients as naturally creative, resourceful, and incredible human beings.”
I believe that the main difference between a general life coach or a typical parenting coach is that they do not have the experience or training necessary to help ADHD people and their kids in the most compassionate and effective manner. ADHD coaches, particularly those who have ADHD and/or who have kids with ADHD, understand that our brains work differently, are willing to challenge our thinking, think outside the box, and recognize the unique strengths that we each have.
In most cases, coaches don’t give advice. I know – that seems very counter-intuitive – we’re the ones being paid, right? Instead of telling you what to do, we ask deep questions designed to make you think, challenge your negative thoughts, and find the answers that are already there – because you are the expert of you and your family.
However – ADHD Coaches offer life coaching, skills coaching, and education. They have more knowledge and understanding of what works for ADHD brains and they have an arsenal of strategies, tips, tricks, and outside the box ideas that our ADHD friends need. Therefore, it is possible that I will ask you for permission to share a strategy or an idea, or what you think of something. I encourage you to say “no” if it’s something you think won’t work for you or your child/family. I’m here to strategize together to come up with your action plan for success.
Why Should You Hire Me?
I intentionally focus on building a safe space where my clients feel welcome, accepted, and valued enough to be their most authentic selves. I believe that every person, relationship, and family is different and deserves to be celebrated. That’s the whole concept of “All Belong Coaching.” I have been where you are. I will meet you where you are, judgement free. I want my clients to feel safe, not shame, so that we can most effectively work together.
Will Coaching Work For You?
Everyone can benefit from coaching. You can benefit from MY coaching if you are invested in the process. All you need is to be willing to invest your time and energy; and have a gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
What If You Need Therapy?
Then you should have a therapist! You can receive therapy and coaching services simultaneously or you may wish to suspend coaching services while engaged in therapy – your choice! I do not provide therapy, I’m not a therapist. However – I may be able to help you uncover mental health resources available to you if that becomes a self identified goal while we are working together. I *am* able to utilize coaching skills to partner with you for things like skill building in areas such as remembering your medication, tracking benefits and side effects, planning and prioritizing, and more.
What Is A Discovery Session?
A discovery session is a 20-30 minute session where you and I meet, for free, so that we can determine if we would be a good fit to work together. I give you a little information about coaching with me, ask you a little bit about you, and answer whatever questions you might have about me or how coaching with me would work. There is never any obligation to book services with me after a discovery session.
What Does Coaching or Other Services Cost?
Please check out my services HERE. I have individual and family coaching options, packages, and workshops and presentations will available soon. I do offer limited sliding fee scale services and am committed to serving the ADHD and queer communities specifically.
Where Else Can You Find Me?
You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest – my handle on all of those platforms is @RealChatWithKat – please follow, like, and share!
You can find my FREE and INCLUSIVE Community Groups for folks with ADHD, for parents and caregivers of kids with ADHD, and for other coaches on Facebook – Please join and share with anyone who might benefit.
How Do You Book A FREE Discovery Session?
To request a free 20 minute Discovery Session click below.
Book A Call With ADHD Coach Kat Today