In part 1 of How to Hire an ADHD Coach I looked at the best way to find quality prospects and suggested that you pick about three coaches to investigate further.
The following is the information you should find out from their website and/or during your conversations with them.
What populations do they have experience ADHD coaching? Adults, adolescents, college students, couples, parents, etc.
Do they have specific training with said populations?
What is their coach training?
What is their ADHD coach training?
How long have they been ADHD coaching?
Do they continue their ADHD coaching education?
What is their philosophy about ADHD?
What is their philosophy about ADHD coaching?
Aside from one on one ADHD coaching, do they have other programs?
If it matters to you, ask how they got involved with ADHD coaching, i.e. have ADHD themselves, parent of someone affected by ADHD, retired teacher, etc.
Are they a member of any professional organizations such as the International Coaches Federation (the ICF) which means they have agreed to certain ethical standards. The ADHD Coaches Organization is a professional membership organization which means they are likely interest in professionalism within ADHD coaching. Membership in any of these is not mandatory but shows involvement in the ADHD Community. Other organizations are CHADD or ADDA.
Are they immediately available for new clients?
What are the days and hours they see clients?
What are the costs for one on one coaching? Do they charge per session or do they have packages such as three months or 6 sessions?
What comes with sessions or packages of sessions such as unlimited emails between sessions?
What methods of payment do they take?
When do you pay?
What are their policies for cancellations or re-scheduling?
How long are the actual sessions?
If you are considering a coach you would see in person, ask about transportation issues. Is public transportation near them or is there easy parking available where they are located? And also ask about issues of accessibility if you have any issues that impede you ability to see them.
When talking with the coach do they inquire about you? Are they just interested in talking about themselves or do they try to find out what your goals are for coaching?
Do you feel like you connected with the coach while talking with them? It is important that the two of you are able to build a rapport on which to develop a relationship.
This is serious business, remember you are doing this for a better life. Hopefully this will be life changing so it is important that you do due diligence before making a decision.
Don’t just choose the first coach you talk with or let yourself be pressured into making an appointment or signing up for a program during your first call. Call at least three coaches. Look at your notes. The cheapest coach isn’t always the best to go with. Whom did you feel most comfortable with, connected with? Who could answer your questions with substantial responses? Who was willing to be informative for the sake of being informative?
Decide if you are really ready to work on your life before you make an appointment with any of the potential coaches.
Who did you instinctively trust the most? That is your coach!
Email or call them back to set up a session!
Did you find a coach? How did you end up choosing one? What was the deal breaker for you that made you choose the one you chose? Love to hear your comments!
Abigail Wurf, M.Ed, CLC
ADHD and Executive Functions Coach
Abigail Wurf works with adults, couples and parents affected by ADHD or executive function issues (see definition below) in a coaching and/or consulting capacities. Her clientele also includes college and graduate students struggling to make it through their programs.
She conducts workshops and speaking presentations on executive function issues such as productivity, planning, prioritizing, goal setting, time management, task initiation, emotional regulation, focus, meta-cognition, working memory, self inhibition and flexibility/shift.
Abigail’s work also includes presentations on ADHD, specific executive functions or theories of executive functions, invisible disabilities, resiliency and motivation.