Therapy vs Coaching: Understanding the Difference — and Where ADHD Coaching Fits In

When it comes to personal growth and wellbeing, both therapy and coaching can be powerful tools. However, they serve different purposes and approaches — particularly when it comes to ADHD coaching, a specialised form of support designed to help individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder thrive in everyday life.

Therapy is typically clinical in nature. It focuses on healing, understanding past experiences, and addressing emotional or psychological challenges such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. Therapists are trained mental health professionals who help clients explore the why behind their thoughts and behaviours. For people with ADHD, therapy can be vital for managing coexisting conditions, improving self-esteem, and developing emotional regulation skills.

Coaching, on the other hand, is forward-looking. It’s about taking action, setting goals, and building practical systems to move ahead. ADHD coaches don’t diagnose or treat mental health conditions — instead, they work collaboratively with clients to create personalised strategies for managing time, staying organised, and following through on commitments. The focus is on how to make life work better with the brain you have.

ADHD coaching bridges the gap between understanding and action. Many people with ADHD know what they should do but struggle to consistently do it. An ADHD coach helps translate insight into implementation — using accountability, structure, and encouragement to turn intentions into habits. Sessions might focus on planning the week effectively, breaking tasks into manageable steps, or navigating work and relationships with greater confidence.

In short, therapy helps you understand yourself; coaching helps you apply that understanding to create meaningful change. For those with ADHD, combining both can be transformative — therapy builds the foundation for emotional growth, while coaching provides the tools to build a life that truly works.

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