First Meeting With an ADHD Coach? Here's What to Expect

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What these first ADHD Coach meetings are:

They're called a lot of things:

  • Initial Consultations
  • Discovery Call
  • Get-to-Know-You-Session
  • Quick Fit Check
  • Strategy Session

Whatever they're called by different coaches, I'm referring to the 1-off, often free, first meeting with a potential ADHD coach. If you've never had one of these first coach meetings before, it can be a little intimidating. (If you’d rather watch the video for this post, the link is here.)

two women sitting in a coffee shop talking

two women sitting in a coffee shop talking

These meetings exist to help you decide if ADHD coaching in general, and that coach in particular, might be a good fit for you and your needs. The ADHD Coach wants to know what you're hoping to get out of coaching and where you are in your journey. This will help us determine if what you want is something we can do or if it's even possible.

We want to help you set expectations so you aren't disappointed, and to point you in another direction if we aren't the best fit to work together. People usually go into ADHD coaching because they want to help people. If we can't help, that's no fun for anyone.

You can learn about the process of the ADHD Coach:

  • Can they do what you're hoping they can?
  • Do they get you?
  • Do you think they can help?
a blank weekly journal page with a black pencil resting on top of it

a blank weekly journal page with a black pencil resting on top of it

Basic meeting outline:

  • You brain vomit about where you are and what you're hoping to accomplish with the coach
  • Coach says some things you could do together that might help
  • Maybe set some expectations to make sure you know what's realistic going in
  • Get clarity about how the coach works (meeting time, scheduling, frequency, cost, whatever),
  • You take the information and decide. Totally up to you
  • Mine are up to 30 minutes, others vary

Some things to know about these first coach meetings:

  • YOU ARE IN CHARGE
    • You're the person hiring, and don't need to impress anyone
    • The best thing you can do is bring your genuine, authentic self, exactly as you are today
  • The coach is there to answer your questions
    • Questions you have about coaching in general
    • Questions for that particular coach
    • Or even just a question about ADHD that you haven't gotten anyone else to answer adequately
    • And if you don't have any ready to go, that's okay: we got you.

Other things to know:

  • You don't need to have it all together
    • You're here to ask for the help you need to get it all together
  • Sometimes it's even an unexpectedly fun conversation
  • You don't need a formal diagnosis to work with a coach

What you should NOT expect:

  • Judgement
    • We've seen it all.
    • We're here to help you where you are today, no matter where that is.
  • High-pressure sales
    • Most people drawn to coaching are actually bad salespeople
    • And if someone does do something that makes you uncomfortable and salesy, they just helped you narrow down your options to not pick them.
      • That's not a great start to a coaching relationship
      • Remember, you are in control
  • Your secrets spilled to the Internet
    • Anyone who cares at all about their reputation is going to maintain confidentiality, whether or not you have an agreement yet
  • To maintain a system you hate
    • 1:1 coaching is about tailoring a plan to YOU, not holding you to someone else's standard

After you schedule 1 or more first coach meetings:

Consider what you hope will be different and any questions you have for a prospective coach. Please don't wait to schedule until you have this ready!

a woman sitting at her desk making descisions

a woman sitting at her desk making decisions

Schedule it now while it's fresh, before you lose momentum or the website. This is a nice-to-have, not a requirement. (And you can usually reschedule if you absolutely need to. Send the coach a message.)

Have you had other experiences with get-to-know-you meetings?
What questions do you still have about getting to know a prospective coach? What didn't we answer? Please let us know!

--Brittany

P.S. If you've been meaning to schedule a consultation with an ADHD coach, ​here's where you can schedule one with me.