Frequently Asked Questions

Mentoring typically involves someone with expertise sharing their knowledge and telling you what worked for them. It can be directive, area specific and based on the mentor's experience. Coaching is non-directive. You're in the driver's seat, figuring out your own path with full autonomy in a safe, non-judgmental environment. This approach is particularly powerful for ADHD adults and neurodivergent individuals who've spent years being told what they 'should' do rather than discovering what works for them. That said, if you need specific training, resources, or mentoring-style guidance on certain topics, I can provide that on a case-by-case basis. But the foundation remains your autonomy and self-direction.

That's a common misconception. Both sports coaching and the coaching I offer involve performance optimisation, and accountability. Professional coaching extends far beyond sports. Life coaching, career coaching, leadership coaching, executive coaching and specialised areas like ADHD / ND coaching for adults all use structured coaching models to help people achieve personal and professional goals. We use frameworks like the GROW coaching model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) providing structure for everything from mindset coaching to habit coaching. ICF coaching certification ensures coaches are trained in active listening, and ethical practices. These apply whether you're coaching an athlete or a professional struggling with focus and overwhelm.

AI tools are incredibly useful for brainstorming, organising information, coding and generating ideas. However, AI cannot provide the nuanced, emotionally attuned, relationally responsive support that human coaching offers. Coaching is a relationship. It is not simply information exchange based on patterns. A human coach notices when you're avoiding something important, feels when energy shifts in the conversation and adapts in real-time to your needs. A human can celebrate your wins with genuine joy or hold space for the messy, non-linear process of personal growth. For neurodivergent individuals especially, the safety of being truly seen and accepted by another human, someone who won't judge your “wrongness” or “broken” brain is transformative in ways no algorithm can replicate.

It can absolutely feel that way. Legitimate coaching involves extensive training, active listening, and ethical practice among other things. But credentials alone don't guarantee the right fit. Ultimately, you need a coach you feel comfortable with, who creates a safe space where you feel heard and who has relevant experience with challenges like ADHD, leadership development, or career.

This varies based on your goals, complexity of challenges, and pace. Some clients achieve breakthroughs in 6-8 sessions. Others benefit from ongoing support over months or years as they navigate different life transitions. Many clients notice initial improvements in 2-3 sessions, but building lasting change takes 6-8 sessions minimum. For a comprehensive transformation, 3-6 months of consistent coaching creates sustainable change. We will regularly reassess your progress and coaching plan to make sure that our coaching engagement continues to serve you. This is your journey. It’s up to you to decide when you've gotten what you need.

Each coaching session is a confidential, non-judgmental space. We can skip past the awkward small talk and dive straight into what matters most to you right now. We begin by exploring what has worked for you, and what didn't. You get to set goals based on your current needs. We uncover patterns you might not have noticed. Eg. what triggers procrastination or avoidance. We work through resistance and celebrate your wins (yeah, the latter sometimes can be hard ). We build personalised accountability frameworks that work for you. Sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes.

Burnout is a common reason why people seek coaching. If you're experiencing tiredness that doesn't resolve with sleep, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, increased sensory sensitivity or other signs coaching could help. We focus on identifying what triggers your burnout (overstimulation, masking, unsustainable systems, lack of recovery) , identifying rest and activity rhythms that work for you, setting boundaries and building better systems. Important note: If you're experiencing severe burnout with other mental health symptoms, therapy possibly in combination with medical intervention might be necessary. Coaching complements but doesn't replace mental health treatment.

Not at all! Many clients come to coaching feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or stuck because they don't have clarity about their goals. "I know something needs to change, but I don't know what" is a perfectly valid starting point. Part of the coaching process is helping you gain clarity. Through coaching, we will uncover what truly matters to you, what's negotiable versus non-negotiable, and what success looks like for you. Maybe you would discover that what you really need isn't a specific outcome but rather to build trust with yourself, honour your energy patterns or simply offer yourself compassion. If you already have clear goals, coaching could help you work towards them in a systematic way.

That's awesome! Therapy and coaching complement each other beautifully. Many of my clients work with both simultaneously. In fact, having both often accelerates growth. Therapy can help you understand and heal the past, process emotions, and address mental health concerns, while coaching helps you build the future, develop skills, set big goals, and create systems. I'm happy to coordinate with your therapist (with your permission, of course) to ensure that we're providing complementary support. If any issues come up during coaching that need therapeutic intervention, I would encourage you to bring them up with your therapist.

Neuroinclusive coaching means the work adapts to how your mind and nervous system function, rather than expecting you to fit a single way of thinking or working. It recognises and values the diverse ways brains can function. It's about creating a coaching environment that is accessible, affirming, and tailored to neurodivergent individuals' unique needs. It means I actively work to understand how ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and others impact your experiences. Instead of one-size-fits-all approaches, I collaborate with you to develop strategies that leverage your strengths and accommodate challenges. Neuroinclusive coaching also involves ongoing learning about neurodiversity to ensure my practices remain respectful and effective.

While this approach is supportive of ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent experiences, a formal diagnosis isn’t required. Many clients either don’t have a diagnosis, prefer not to pursue one, or choose not to use labels. Neuroinclusive coaching can support anyone who feels overwhelmed, struggles with focus or overthinking, or benefits from tailored, flexible support in their daily life.