ADHD in Adults: Coaching, Therapy, or Both?

 ADHD in adults looks different than in childhood. And most adults with ADHD benefit from ADHD-specific coaching, therapy, or a combination of both. While both are supportive, they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference can help you choose what will meet your needs best.

 

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

ADHD coaching is a practical, skills-based form of support for ADHD in adults, as well as for children and parents of children with ADHD. Coaching focuses on the present and the future.

An ADHD coach helps you:

  • Identify your strengths and challenges
  • Set realistic, personalized goals
  • Build systems and strategies for executive functioning
  • Develop routines that actually work for your brain

Coaching is especially helpful for things like time management, organization, follow-through, and accountability.

It’s important to know that not all ADHD coaches are therapists.

What about therapy?

Many adults with ADHD have spent years, sometimes decades feeling misunderstood, judged, or “not good enough.” Living with undiagnosed or untreated ADHD in adults often leads to chronic self-doubt, shame, and emotional exhaustion.

  • Low self-esteem and negative self-beliefs
  • Anxiety, depression, and burnout
  • Relationship patterns and boundary issues
  • Identity, grief, and loss related to late diagnosis
  • The emotional impact of being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world


Therapy isn’t just about coping, it’s about healing and developing a stronger, more compassionate relationship with yourself.

How to decide if you need coaching, therapy, or both.

Coaching may be a good fit if:

You mainly want help with:

  • Executive dysfunction
  • Systems, routines, and structure
  • Goal setting and accountability
  • Practical life skills

Therapy may be a good fit if:

You’re struggling with:

  • Chronic self-criticism or shame
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Feeling “broken” or fundamentally different
  • Relationship stress or emotional overwhelm
  • Difficulty accepting your ADHD

Both can be helpful if:

  • You’re in therapy but still need concrete strategies and tools.
  • You’re working with a coach on productivity and systems, but still feel stuck in cycles of self-loathing, frustration, or emotional pain.

In many cases, the most powerful support for ADHD in adults comes from both learning how to function more effectively and healing the emotional impact of living in a world that hasn’t always made space for how your brain works.

* I currently do not accept insurance but I can provide a superbill for you to submit for out-of-network reimbursement. I do accept HSA credit cards and all other major credit cards, cash, and checks.

Under the “No Surprises Act”, mental health clinicians that are out-of-network are required to provide notice of the Good Faith Estimate – click here for the notice.