On Being Selected as a Top Remote ADHD Coach by SOAR

Earlier this year, SOAR recognized me, Kate Barrett, as one of its Top 60 Remote ADHD Coaches in the U.S. for Teens & Parents.

SOAR is a non-profit that provides outdoor adventure programs for ADHD and LD students. It runs three different programs throughout the year, including a Gap Year program, summer camp, and an accredited boarding school.

The list of remote ADHD coaches was created by SOAR to support those in the ADHD community who may not be able to meet in-person with a coach right now due to the requirements of social distancing.

Selection Criteria

In choosing coaches for the list, SOAR used the following criteria:

• Coaches have been vetted by the ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO), the ADD Association (ADDA), or another reputable ADHD organization, or the coach has been personally vetted by the SOAR team

• Coaches are available to work remotely

• Coaches have demonstrated a commitment to helping people of various ages—and especially parents and teens—with ADHD/ADD to live better, more fulfilling lives

My Commitment to ADHD Coaching

I live in a world of ADHD, and each of the brains under our roof are as unique as snowflakes in a winter storm.It is this revelation that led me to my work as an ADHD Coach.Working with ADHD brains and the families impacted by these out-of-the-box thinkers is a true passion. Helping someone find their strengths and tailor their strategies to align with their brain preferences is my favorite professional playground.When a client can move from inaction to pro-activity, they are ready to fly. When parents move from agitators to collaborators it often enables them to move from frustration to revelation. With a combination of education and coaching, students and parents alike can begin to foster a new momentum. I have committed my practice to helping clients with ADHD find their personal best.   

How to Find a Good ADHD Coach—3 Things You Should Do

Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for an ADHD coach (or any coach, for that matter):

1. Is It a Good Fit?

One of the most important factors when looking for an ADHD coach is whether the two of you click.

The success of a coach often comes down to the power of the relationship between the coach and the person being coached, so it’s important for there to be a strong connection between the two people.

When you start out looking for a coach, it’s a good idea to ask for a short interview so you can see whether a particular coach might be a good fit. 

It’s also important to keep in mind that coaching is a two way street—in order for a coach to be successful, the person being coached has to be open to doing the work required for change, which means showing up for each coaching session with an open mind, ready to work and grow.

2. Training, Credentials, and Experience

It’s also important to consider a coach's experience and training. 

Although there isn’t a single universally recognized certification for ADHD coaching, there are some key things you can look for, including whether the coach has been trained by a recognized ADHD organization like the CHADD, ADDA, or ACO, and how many years of experience the coach has working with ADHD clients.

You can also look for whether the coach has been vetted by one of the organizations we just listed by searching for him or her on their websites to see if they’re listed on the site’s directory of coaches. 

Being included in one of these directories is a good indication that the coach has met the criteria required by that particular organization for inclusion in their list of recommended coaches.

3. Ask for References 

Don’t be afraid to ask to speak to one or two of a coach's clients as references, but also know that, similar to a doctor’s office, coaches may not offer a reference list due to privacy policies or disclosure agreements with clients.

Speaking to people who are already working with a coach is a great way to gauge whether that coach may be a good fit for you. It can definitely help you determine if coaching is an avenue of support that you might want to explore.