ADHD Coaching:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ADHD coaching the same as counselling or therapy?
No, coaching is not therapy. While therapy may focus on emotional healing and past experiences, ADHD coaching is action-oriented and focused on helping children move forward with practical strategies and support. It works well alongside counselling/therapy, if needed. Coaching also tends to be more short-term work, whereas counselling can often last many months, if not years.
How long are sessions, and how often do they take place?
Sessions are usually 45 minutes long and take fortnightly. This allows for actions to be put into practise during the gap between sessions. Sessions take place in-person at the Children’s Wellness Centre, Chiswick. Parent sessions take place online.
Can parents be involved in the sessions?
Yes, parent involvement is very much welcomed, especially for younger children. We offer different coaching programmes, which can include child (with parent check-ins) child and parent sessions or parent-only sessions, depending on the level of support you require and what you can financially manage.
Is coaching available on the NHS?
Currently, ADHD coaching is not routinely offered through the NHS. While the NHS does provide assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and sometimes behavioural therapy or parent training programmes, ADHD coaching is generally considered a specialist, non-clinical support and is more commonly accessed through private providers.
Some NHS trusts or CAMHS services may refer to external coaching services in specific cases, but this is not standard practice and availability can vary by region.
Please do however speak to your GP to see if NHS coaching could be an option for your child.
Does my child need an official ADHD/neurodiversity diagnosis to benefit from coaching?
No formal diagnosis is required. If your child struggles with focus, emotional regulation, or executive functioning, even without a diagnosis, they may benefit from ADHD/neurodiversity-informed coaching.
Coaching supports children by focusing on their unique experiences and goals, rather than being driven by a label or diagnosis.
Coaching can also be useful for children who are on a waiting list for an assessment, who require support in the interim.
Do you require access to my child’s neurodiversity diagnostic report ahead of the sessions?
This is entirely at your discretion. If you feel it would be useful for our coach to read your child’s assessment report (if they have a diagnosis) ahead of the first session, you are welcome to confidentially share this with her. This is not a necessity however, as we will discuss everything with you in the first session (if you are having parent/child sessions) or on the phone (if you are having child-only sessions).
What happens during a typical coaching session?
A typical ADHD coaching session is a supportive, structured conversation tailored to your child’s age, needs, personality and individual interests. The coach works with your child to explore challenges they may be facing, such as staying focused, managing emotions, or getting organised, and helps them develop practical strategies to overcome these difficulties.
Sessions are collaborative and positive, focusing on your child’s strengths and goals. Depending on their age and preferences, sessions may include visual aids, games, storytelling, role-playing, or real-life problem-solving. The aim is to help your child feel heard, build confidence, and gain tools they can use in everyday situations.
How long does ADHD coaching take, and how many sessions will my child need?
The length of ADHD coaching varies depending on each child’s needs, goals, and progress. Coaching is not a one-size-fits-all process.
Some children benefit from short-term coaching focused on specific challenges, while others may continue longer-term with spaced-out sessions to maintain progress and build on new skills. Our programmes set out, currently focus on short-term work, with the option then to continue with ad-hoc sessions, if needed. We allow time between sessions to practice and embed new activities or techniques.
We will work closely with you to review your child’s progress and decide what level of support is most helpful. Our goal is always to empower children with tools they can carry forward confidently, not to create long-term dependency.
What are the qualifications or experience of the ADHD coach working with my child?
Caroline is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation and a Senior Practitioner with the EMCC Global. Caroline holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Communication with Children, a Post Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health, and has a background as a Children and Families Social Worker. Caroline is a Neurodiversity Coach for an Occupational Health organisation, supporting Neurodivergent adults in the workplace.
What outcomes can I realistically expect from ADHD coaching?
After each session, you can expect an action or exercise for your child to bring home to practise, and embed into their day. Changing habits can take time and patience, and will likely involve your input and encouragement. Learning about oneself is different for each person, the process is not linear, but you will see changes over time.
Can coaching be combined with other interventions like medication or therapy?
Yes, ADHD/ Neurodiversity coaching can be a highly effective complement to other interventions such as medication, behavioural therapy, or counselling. While medication can help manage core symptoms like inattention or impulsivity, coaching focuses on building everyday skills, habits, and confidence in managing those symptoms.
If your child is in counselling/therapy, coaching can also work alongside it by offering practical, action-oriented support that’s focused on the present and future.