The Difference Between ADHD Coaching and Therapy
One of the most common questions an ADHD coach gets is: What is the difference between coaching and therapy? I have been writing this blog for over four years, and I have yet to address this issue in a blog post. One of the reasons for that is it is not an easy question to answer. There are similarities between the two. However, they are definitely different. I hope my thoughts will help clarify the difference.
Credentials/Licensing
The first distinction to make is that therapists are licensed. Whereas, ADHD coaches do not have a license. Unfortunately, there are people out there who claim to be ADHD coaches despite having no training in coaching or ADHD. However, most ADHD coaches have gotten or are pursuing a credential. A credential certifies that the coach is competent at coaching. There are a lot of coaches who have gotten a credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This tells you they are good at life coaching. Where an ICF credential falls short for clients with ADHD is that there is no guarantee they know anything about ADHD. Therefore, while an ICF credential is a good thing for a coach to have, I believe it is more important for ADHD coaches to have a credential from the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches (PAAC). Part of the PAAC process for obtaining a credential is a test on ADHD. PAAC-credentialed coaches have proven that they are able to coach with an ADHD lens.
Location of Practice
Because therapists are licensed by individual states in the US, they can only see clients who are in the state in which they have a license. However, an ADHD coach can have clients all over the world. Most coaches offer virtual sessions to accommodate their clients no matter where they live.
Healing in Therapy/Bias Towards Action in Coaching
Therapists look at your past to heal any pain or trauma a person may have suffered. They also work with emotions and how they are affecting your day-to-day life. Therapists also help their clients process what is going on in their life. So, therapists look at the past and present to help the client move forward.
Coaches, on the other hand, may look at the past, but they do so to see evidence of where the client has succeeded, to identify what works and what does not, and to identify strengths. Coaches are not there to “fix you.” They see their clients as whole and resourceful. The big difference between coaching and therapy, as I see it, is the bias toward action coaches have. Coaches want to get you into action, taking steps to make you more productive and better able to operate in the world. Coaching focuses on the present and how the client can create a better future.
Why vs. How
My friend and colleague Adela Baker, PCAC describes the difference between therapy and coaching thusly:
…therapists focus on “why” certain behavioral patterns occur. Coaches work on “how” to work towards objectives. We help you decide “what” you will do, “when” and “where” you will do it and “who” will be your support.
Insurance Coverage
Typically, therapy is covered by insurance, and coaching is not. I have heard anecdotal evidence of people paying for coaching through a flex spending account, but I have never had any of my clients successfully pay for coaching with their insurance plan.
Not Sure Which Is Best for You?
Both therapy and coaching are beneficial. In fact, there is a good number of people who work with both a therapist and a coach. Is that what is best for you? I don’t know. The one thing you could do is talk to some therapists and some coaches to see what might be best for you. Most will offer you the chance to do a free consultation.
Reset ADHD is proud to offer a Free Reset Session for potential clients to learn about coaching and how it might be beneficial to them. Additionally, the Free Reset Session allows the coach and the client to see if they are a good fit. To explore coaching with Alex R. Hey, PCAC of Reset ADHD, schedule a Free Reset Session today!