Coaching Overview
What is it coaching?
A non-pharmaceutical approach to manage ADHD behaviors. It is a model for change that uses
your character strengths, your knowledge, your skills and most importantly your capacity to
decide. Coaching is a respectful and equal partnering relationship that is designed to benefit you,
the client. You will get the support to reach your desired outcome.
Texas A&M University College Station, TX
What does Academic Coaching for undergraduates look like?
My students benefit from the support they receive from meeting once or twice a week for
the semester. We meet online for approximately 60 minutes. The student brings whatever needs to
be addressed that week. Exams. Papers. Quizzes. Projects. Stress. Anxiety. Or other things that need
to be addressed like application to Business School or Summer Internships. Together we analyze the
task. We match the cognitive demand with the task requirements. We lay out the materials or skills
needed for this week’s task. We think about the “why” of this task. Together we figure out where the
resources are or what help is needed for this week’s tasks. We devise a timeline to reach deadlines
and an action plan. We discuss obstacles that might prevent us from reaching the finish line and how
we might get around those obstacles. We talk about distractions or strategic learning skills.
In between sessions, the student works on the plan created during the sessions then we
meet to learn what worked (or not worked) about the plan. The student thinks about what needs to
be adjusted or added to the weekly learning plan.
I believe in my student and uniquely tailor each academic session to the student. This is the
key to success in a coaching relationship.
What does ADHD coaching for doctoral students look like?
A doctoral candidate is a professional adult student. What I bring to the table is an
understanding and compassion from personal and professional experience of managing your
personal life, your work life, and your academic life all while living with your ADHD brain. You
and I will work on setting your personal goals for the week, the month, or the next 90 days. We
will look at the different aspects of your life and create realistic expectations to gain traction
toward your desired outcomes. Together we will explore what has worked for you in the past
and use your higher order thinking to decide whether past strategies need to be adjusted,
upgraded, or simply not used for the current tasks. You will receive validation for what you do
well and think of creative workarounds for being stuck.