How Do I Find a Good ADHD Coach?

Living with ADHD is like running a race with a backpack full of fireworks, explosive ideas, scattered focus, and bursts of momentum that fizzle out just when you need them most. 🧨💡

You know you’re capable of more. You want to get organized, stay consistent, and finally follow through on all those big plans. But knowing what to do and actually doing it? Two very different things.

That’s where an ADHD coach comes in. 🙌 But with so many people out there offering support, how do you know who’s legit, and who just watched a few TikToks?

Let’s break it down.

1. Do they actually understand ADHD? 

It’s not just about teaching you time management tips or giving you a to-do list template. ADHD is complex; it impacts your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and how you see yourself. A certified ADHD coach goes through nearly 8 months of training, practice coaching, and rigorous exams to become certified. The gold standard for all coaches is to be certified through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). ADHD Coach Academy (ADDCA) is verified through ICF with top-notch training.

A great ADHD Coach understands things like:

• Time blindness
  
• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
  
• Task paralysis
  
• Hyperfocus and inconsistency
  

Look for someone who “gets it” through lived experience and deep, specialized training. The best ADHD Coaches make you feel seen, not shamed.

2. Are they ADHD coaching or consulting?

There’s a difference between coaching you (by asking thought-provoking questions to help you guide yourself through a challenging time) versus “telling you what to do”. A true ADHD coach helps you uncover your strengths, build awareness, and create systems that work for your brain, not someone else’s.

• Good coaching is collaborative.
• It’s not just someone handing you a checklist and walking away.

Ask how they structure sessions. Do they ask reflective questions? Help you set goals you care about? Work with your unique nervous system instead of trying to “fix” it?

3. Do they help you become a better you?

A good ADHD coach should be able to help you navigate the messy middle of life, not just offer generic advice. Think:

• Struggling to stay on top of work deadlines
  
• Managing emotions when everything feels like too much
  
• Creating structure without feeling suffocated
  
• Following through on anything
  

Bonus points if they can help you with both the external (tools, systems, routines) and the internal (motivation, mindset, confidence).

4. Do you like talking to the ADHD Coach? 

This one’s big. You’re going to be spending time with this person, and probably talking about things that make you feel vulnerable, frustrated, or stuck. You need to feel safe, understood, and respected.

If you walk away from a discovery call feeling judged, rushed, or confused… that’s a red flag. 🚩
A great ADHD coach will make you feel like you’re not alone in the chaos that your goals are possible. That your brain isn’t broken.  There is a reason why they say that we tend to work with the people whom we “know, like, and trust”!

5. Does the coach provide testimonials about how they have helped people with ADHD?

Look for real people sharing real wins, not just polished bios and vague claims. Social proof matters.

If other ADHDers say, “This changed everything for me,” or “I finally feel like I have momentum,” that’s a good sign you’ve found someone worth investing in.

For example, check out this testimonial from a Ryan Mayer Coaching Client:
“Ryan Mayer is a fantastic ADHD coach. He’s super insightful, open, and always has great ideas. He brings his A-game to every conversation and really cares about helping people. Ryan and his wife, Andrea, have built an amazing community with tons of ways to get support, no matter your budget. They make it easy to connect and feel like you’re not alone in this. If you’re looking for an ADHD coach who truly gets it and is always ready to help, I highly recommend Ryan!” – Erin Long

So, where do you start to find an ADHD coach?

If you’re still staring at your tabs wondering who to trust…we’ve got your back.
At Ryan Mayer Coaching, we specialize in helping ADHD adults build momentum, create structure that actually sticks, and get out of their own heads. 

From 1:1 coaching and group coaching, to digital resources to our ADHD community, our goal is to help you stop spinning your wheels—and start finally getting traction on the promises you’ve made to yourself. 

We’re not about productivity for productivity’s sake. We’re about purpose, progress, and practical tools that work with your brain, not against it. 🎧 Oh, and our podcast, The More Than ADHD™ Podcast, is full of real talk, dopamine-friendly advice, and tips that actually make sense when your brain is all over the place.

Ready to stop Googling and start growing?

Book a free discovery call or check out our latest ADHD-friendly resources. Your next chapter doesn’t have to feel so chaotic, and you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Your brain isn’t the problem. It’s the starting point.