You’ve got questions.

What’s the difference between coaching + therapy?

Great question! It’s an important distinction and one I’m particularly mindful of since I’m both a coach and a therapist.

For starters, therapy is clinical, which means that identifying symptoms and assigning a mental health disorder is part of the process (and actually required, if billing insurance). Therapy is introspective (examining one’s own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors), tends to focus on emotional healing (particularly from the past), is usually longer-term, and is more process-oriented than action-oriented.

Coaching is not clinical, so no diagnosis is required. Coaching is more about practical application, skill development, and achieving specific goals. It's future-oriented, offering action-oriented strategies and support for managing the symptoms of ADHD in daily life and improving performance. Coaching tends to be shorter term than therapy and is not a substitute for mental health treatment. (Note: If someone is experiencing mental health distress, coaching may not be indicated or may be provided as a compliment to therapy.)

Therapists are licensed mental health professionals who have completed a graduate level program with supervised clinical practice hours. They may be clinical social workers (LCSW), mental health counselors (LCMHC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), or psychologists (usually a PhD or PsyD), and they all complete annual continuing education credits and abide by their respective code of ethics in order to maintain and their license to practice.

Coaching is a largely unregulated field, meaning coaches (often referred to universally as life coaches) are not accredited or licensed by states and there are no required standards or trainings in the field. However, many coaches choose to attend programs that are accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), which is considered the gold standard in the industry. Some coaches go through intensive ADHD-specific training and work exclusively with people who have ADHD and/or would like to improve their executive functioning.

Can you be my coach and my therapist?

No, I can’t because it’s considered unethical to have what’s called a dual relationship. No one professional should simultaneously provide mental health treatment and coaching to the same client. They are separate services; in my case, I have separate business entities (different contracts, policies, and bank accounts) to differentiate the two.

That said, I often integrate coaching strategies into my work as a therapist specializing in ADHD. The key difference is that I’m not wearing my therapist hat when I’m coaching. Part of my job at the initial consultation is to determine, in collaboration with the client, which service is most appropriate. If I believe that a coaching client would benefit from therapy, either in addition to or instead of coaching, I’ll happily help connect them to therapists in their area.

If you think therapy is more appropriate for you than coaching, go here to check out Clancy Counseling, my psychotherapy private practice website.

Are you a certified life coach?

No. I’ve chosen not to seek additional coaching-specific certification because I have extensive experience as a mental health professional that translates well into the coaching sphere (although, as indicated above, they are not the same). I have several certifications that I keep up to date and I prioritize attending interdisciplinary conferences with other ADHD coaches, therapists, educators, and psychiatric providers.

I encourage prospective clients to inquire about the education background, career experience, and personal stories of potential coaches. Just as in the therapist-client relationship, ensuring that the coach-client relationship is a good fit and that both parties feel comfortable working together is crucial.

Are you going to pressure me to take medication?

No, absolutely not; I’m not in the business of pushing anyone in a direction they don’t want to go. ADHD medications, particularly stimulants, can have life-changing benefits - but they also have potential consequences that are important to consider. Not to mention that some people just don’t want to take medication, period - and that’s perfectly fine. Whether you’re currently medicated, have had a positive or negative experience in the past, or have no desire to try meds - I won’t judge you or pressure you. ADHD coaching can be helpful whether or not meds are in involved, so come as you are!

Will my insurance cover coaching?

No, unfortunately not. Since coaching is not considered mental health treatment (unlike therapy, it’s not considered “medically necessary”), insurance companies do not cover coaching services.

How much does it cost?

Of course you’d want to know about pricing! Personally, I find it frustrating when helping professionals aren’t transparent about their prices. You can find all the details here, under the “Investment” tab.

Do I need an ADHD diagnosis to receive coaching?

Nope! While most people who seek ADHD-specific coaching have been diagnosed with ADHD, it’s not a requirement. Self-identification is a valid tool and something we can explore together. Some people may choose to pursue formal testing after learning more about themselves during the coaching process and I’m happy to point clients in the direction of professionals who are able to evaluate and diagnosis ADHD.

How long does coaching last?

It all depends on what you’re looking for. Some people come to coaching with a specific goal in mind and may only need 3-6 sessions. Other people are interested in longer term work and enjoy the relational aspect of having a professional to check in with every week for a year or more. On average, most people engage in coaching services for 2-6 months at a time.

I offer discounts for purchasing 4 sessions at a time - both as a way to save you money and to help you stay on track (since consistency and commitment are hard for a lot of ADHDers). Groups run in 6 week stretches so those come to a natural end, but you may choose to continue to the next group or stop at any point.

As for length of sessions, I’ve found that the ideal time is 45 minutes for 1:1 and 60 minutes for couples. I’m always happy to discuss and make adjustments; for instance, some people may prefer to meet twice a week for 20-25 minutes each or biweekly for 90 minutes.

One of my core values is meeting clients where they are. I try to be as flexible and accommodating as possible, while keeping my small business afloat. I welcome all questions and will work with you to customize a coaching plan that makes sense for you while taking your time, energy, and financial situation into consideration.

Do you provide in-person coaching?

Currently, all sessions are virtual. However, I do occasionally conduct one-time local home visits, upon request, and I hope to facilitate in-person workshops in the future. My regular coaching sessions are done virtually through Google Meet or Zoom. I’m based in Durham, North Carolina (ET time zone) so “local” is considered within the “Research Triangle” area of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

For what it’s worth, virtual sessions work surprising well for ADHDers. Meeting online is super convenient and allows clients to work on focusing in real time (I’ll call you in - not out - if you get distracted). Personally, I’m a visual learner and a big fan of screen sharing. Plus, I love seeing glimpses of your pets and getting tours of your home. It’s not the same as in-person, but I tend to think it’s even better in some ways.