Is Coaching, Psychiatry or Therapy Better For ADHD?
There comes a time when you know you need to deal with a recurring problem or symptom. It is usually when the solutions you have been trying are no longer working. Or maybe it is when problems get to the point that you can no longer ignore them or hope they will get better. It is during these times when one often asks the question should I choose a coach, a psychiatrist or a therapist?
Deciding On The Best Intervention For Your ADHD
Since I am both a coach and therapist I would like to help you learn about the differences between coaching and therapy. I will also explain the benefits of each for people with ADHD.
Psychiatrist For ADHD
What Do Psychiatrists Do To Help Those With ADHD?
A psychiatrist is a trained medical doctor who can diagnose ADHD (and any other mental health disorders) and can prescribe medication. They may, or may not, assist their patients with “talk therapy”. Psychiatrists may administer several psychological tests before making a diagnosis of ADHD. This may include a checklist of symptoms, or a behavior rating scale. A psychiatrist may also test a patient for a learning disability, which can closely mimic the symptoms of ADHD. Psychiatrists have extensive training in differential diagnosis and are usually the best specialists to seek when ADHD exists with depression, severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, aggressive disorders, or other serious psychiatric conditions.
Psychologists, Social Workers and Counselors For ADHD
How Can A Psychologist or Social Worker or Counselor Help Those With ADHD?
Psychologists, Social Workers, and Counselors are therapists who have professional training and clinical mental health skills to help people learn to cope more effectively with mental health problems. Although they also do differential diagnosis, a therapist spends more time on helping clients cope with the emotional aspects of having ADHD. Therapists cannot typically administer medication to treat ADHD or co-existing conditions. The issues addressed in therapy include ADHD symptoms of anxiety, depression, anger management, learning issues, and behavioral problems. Therapists use psychotherapy (talk therapy), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and a number of other treatment modalities to help people with ADHD. Their goal, with these therapeutic interventions, is to get to the root of the presenting problem, including their limiting beliefs. They also help the individual with ADHD to realize their strengths and weaknesses with a greater level of acceptance and self-compassion.
Coaches For ADHD
What Do ADHD Coaches Do To Help Those With ADHD?
ADHD coaches do not typically have medical or counseling qualifications. A Coach help clients develop skills and strategies to overcome executive function deficits such as planning, organizing, mindset, and time management. Coaches work with people with ADHD to help them reach their personal, specific goals. During a coaching session you may focus on practical skills such as time management, organization, motivation, energy regulation, procrastination and other executive function issues. They work with people to improve their communication and lifestyle skills. They explore non-medical solutions to manage ADHD symptoms. By applying an individually tailored approach, that considers both strengths and areas requiring development. Coaches support people to help them learn how to reduce stress, find the best strategies to achieve success in life and actively assist people to achieve their desired results.
Many people use a Psychiatrist for meds, a therapist to deal with emotional issues and a coach to learn the skills and mindset needed for success.
Your ADHD Support Team
All the members of your ADHD support team should be aware of the support that you are receiving so that they can offer suggestions for the involvement of the other team members. For example, your psychologist may suggest practical areas that you could work with together with your coach, or your coach might uncover an issue that your psychologist could explore with you.
Build Your ADHD Team To Stop Overwhelm
Managing ADHD can often seem overwhelming, especially if you are finding it difficult coping with the day-to-day struggles of life. Having the right people on your team will ensure that you have all the support, information and tools that you need to succeed. I do recommend that people with co-occurring mental health issues get help from a Psychiatrist and/or therapist, before they start coaching. If you start coaching without addressing those issues, then coaching may not be as effective, and may take much longer, especially if your ADHD symptoms are affecting your ability to function on a day-to-day basis. Issue such as focus and concentration must be addressed first, in order to make the most of the coaching process.
How We Are Different And Better
Being a licensed therapist and coach enables me to help people using the skills, practices and tools both disciplines use that are effective. However, those who are both coaches and mental health professionals can only practice one modality at a time; so they cant be both your therapist and coach. Note that many, but not all therapists will accept insurance to pay for services, but coaching is not an insurance reimbursable service. However, of those who do take advantage of coaching 80% report increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefit from improved relationships, work performance, and more effective communication skills.
To learn more about whether Coaching or Therapy is Better For ADHD, or to schedule a session or time to see if coaching with us is the right fit.
