NORTHERN VA COACHING SOLUTIONS
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What is Coaching?

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If you’re not sure what it means to be coached, think of it as having a partner to help you figure out what strategies work for you, how you want to use them, and to keep you on track as you advance toward your goals. Coaching relies on client participation and insight. Most of us can remember moments of personal insight much more clearly than instructions given by someone else. Coaching builds from that.

Before entering this field, I thought ADHD coaches just taught ADHD-friendly organizational strategies and encouraged people to stick to it. In my training, ​I have learned a lot about organizational strategies and ADHD and I do share what I know and help clients' understand and advocate for themselves. But I don't hand out "solutions." The core of coaching is working in partnership with clients as unique individuals (without over-emphasizing a diagnosis if there is one). Instead of advocating one system, I take time to understand their goals, narrow and broad, and then discover, together, the kinds of approaches that will support them. Working with a client to problem-solve supports their efforts to reach the goal directly in front of them, but also demonstrates and practices how to create and follow through on a plan. Since life likes to jostle even the best laid plans, coaching also teaches how to adjust to circumstances or start over with new insights.  


Whole Person Approach

My coaching style, particularly when working with young people, is to take a whole person approach – not focusing on just academics. Many people identify their executive function challenges within an academic setting - but that doesn't mean that coaching needs to remain there. Taking a whole person approach is the best fit for coaching because the complex lives of young people require a full perspective which acknowledges that life and academics have an effect on one another. And that being fulfilled in our lives requires more than academic success.

Cooperative Goal Development

In finding and establishing goals for coaching, I'll ask very early on if there is something my client would like to change, but isn't sure how to get there.  Client input, investment and interest in this process are critical. For my younger high school clients living at home, I'll want to hear at some point from everyone about areas of concern and places where change may be important. Particularly if there are places of conflict or friction. But, ultimately, to empower the person being coached, we will work on goals and problems that he/she/they bring into our coaching sessions.  

Possible Goals

Examples of Goals:
  • strategies to deal with a tough class,
  • organizing college applications/search,
  • finding a job,
  • finding ways to see friends more,
  • communicating better with teachers, parents, or co-workers,
  • finding your people or finding resources at a new school,
  • staying on top of homework,
  • reading more books,
  • developing a new skill, 
  • getting ready for a transition,
  • ​becoming more independent.
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ADDITIONAL  RESOURCES

More About Coaching

More About ADHD


​
​International Coaching Federation 
(Coach Credentialing Organization)​


JST Coaching & Training
(Research on Effectiveness of Coaching)

​CHADD
(Children and Adults with ADHD)

ADDitutde Magazine

(Great all around resource)

ADHD Alien
(for those who like their information in the form of comics)

How To ADHD
​(lots of great videos)



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  • Home
  • WHAT IS COACHING?
  • GSD College Collaborative
  • ABOUT
    • ABOUT ME
    • HOW I COACH
  • Contact