If you have ever googled ADHD help or perhaps how to deal with ADHD, you must have stumbled upon tons of ways of therapy, coaching, apps, and meds.

But if you are looking into how ADHD coaching and therapy are different, you might feel like you are in a tornado of information. You are not alone. When someone is faced with figuring out what is best for them or a loved one and is trying to navigate ADHD, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

At Tehila Healthcare, we offer a holistic approach that combines evidence-based therapy, medication management, and ADHD coaching to create lasting change. Let’s narrow things down, clear the path, and discuss ADHD coaching vs therapy. Of course, we’ll empower you to explore which option is right for you.

What Is ADHD Coaching?

Consider ADHD coaching to be like a personal trainer for your brain. ADHD coaching is all practical, goal-oriented support to help you better manage your life with ADHD. Whether it’s time management, repetitive thoughts, prioritizing tasks, or organizing your space, ADHD coaching gives you strategies, skills, and tools to make your life easier and more manageable every day.

But what makes coaching different? Coaching is distinct from therapy in that you’re unlikely to engage in the deeper emotional processing work or explore your past; instead, coaching focuses primarily on action and the future.

Coaching is about establishing systems and routines and finding ways to increase productivity.

Coaching is a solution-focused process designed to help you navigate daily living with ADHD in a way that works with your brain, rather than against it.

What is Therapy?

For many people with ADHD, therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is a strong ally. The type of therapy is typically more emotionally focused and usually involves exploring your thoughts, feelings, and actions from a psychological perspective.

Therapy assists most individuals with ADHD, especially in dealing with some of the emotional aspects that accompany ADHD, such as anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem.

A therapist will typically work with a client on exploring their trauma, where the source of emotional pain might come from, or they could be working on a comorbid mental health condition, such as anxiety and/or depression. Therapy focuses on processing emotions and experiences, rather than rushing into solutions and taking immediate action.

Key Differences Between ADHD Coaching and Therapy

Below are some of the differences between ADHD coaching vs therapy.

• Emphasis: 

ADHD Coaching emphasizes behavior change, action steps, systems, organization, and productivity, with a focus on implementing these changes in real-world settings. In coaching, you’ll work with your coach to create goals, develop systems tailored to your specific needs, and implement strategies for long-term success. 

Therapy is more focused on processing emotions and promoting healing. Therapy examines why you have thoughts or behaviors and may help address historical issues of trauma, self-worth, and associated conditions like anxiety or depression.

• Techniques: 

ADHD Coaching: It is usually future-focused and solution-focused in nature. The primary goal is to help you enhance your daily functioning by establishing new habits, routines, and systems. 

Therapy is more about looking back and understanding the past, as well as how it relates to the present. Therapy can have a more in-depth analysis of emotions, mental health issues, and help with unpacking personal struggles.

• Strategies and Approaches:

Coaches teach ADHD-specific tools, including time management strategies, organizational systems, and task prioritization. The goal is to develop custom strategies that work for you in your life.

Therapists may use psychological strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness approaches, or talk therapy, to help a client manage emotional and mental health challenges associated with ADHD.

• Frequency of Sessions: 

Coaching is not a simple one-and-done approach to resolving challenges with ADHD; it is a lifelong approach that helps manage lifelong impulsivity and Inattention, as well as achieve goals.  Coaching sessions are generally short-term and action-oriented, helping you build systems and skills to support your ADHD brain.  After you have met one or more of your original goals, your coach can continue to work with you through inevitable life changes.

Which One Is Right for You?

Now that we’ve unpacked the difference, you may be wondering which option is right for me.

The answer is, it depends on your needs. If you are having difficulty functioning day-to-day, feel overwhelmed by your to-do list, or simply need assistance with figuring out systems that work, then ADHD coaching could be a valuable resource. ADHD coaching is an effective way to get your life on track in a practical and actionable manner that works for your unique brain.

However, suppose you are struggling with deeper emotional issues, past trauma, or mental health conditions like anxiety or depression that are holding you back. In that case, therapy may be the best place to start.

Many find that combining therapy and coaching can yield significant results by enhancing connection and capacity through both approaches. In contrast, coaching can help develop a system for successfully managing day-to-day life with ADHD.

Whatever path you choose, for ADHD coaching vs therapy,  keep in mind that you have others traveling with you. ADHD can feel like a never-ending obstacle course, but there is support available to help navigate it. Whether you pursue coaching, therapy, or both, seeking help is a decisive step toward managing ADHD and taking charge of your life in a way that makes sense for you.

Why Choose Tehila Healthcare?

Tehila Healthcare is committed to the delivery of holistic, evidence-based care through blending therapy, medication management, and coaching into a single plan of care that is individualized to your specific life stage and needs. 

With telehealth that is flexible and accessible, clients across the greater Columbia, MD area and beyond, including those in MD and DC, now have the opportunity to initiate their ADHD treatment in a secure, modern, and accessible manner. We offer therapy and coaching sessions right from the comfort of your own home. 

Our team is compassionate and rigorously trained to weave clinical care with cultural responsiveness, so that each unique person can feel seen, supported, and empowered to take the following steps to mental health.

Final Thoughts

Therapy and ADHD coaching are both invaluable options, but these formats play distinct roles in treating ADHD. Therapy fosters emotional resilience, while coaching emphasises the development of daily habits and momentum. At Tehila Healthcare, our objective is to combine both formats under one caring roof, supporting your management of ADHD with confidence and clarity.