A Practical, Work-Focused Guide
There are moments in my work as an ADHD coach that genuinely stop me in my tracks.
When I think about the 130+ people I’ve had the privilege to coach, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment. Hearing clients describe how ADHD coaching has helped them manage their symptoms at work, at home, and in their relationships never gets old. Supporting people in feeling more capable, less overwhelmed, and more effective at work is the main reason I became an ADHD coach in the first place.
And that is exactly why I created this resource.
Because I know what it feels like to need support at work and not know how, or whether, to ask for it.
When work overwhelm is not a performance problem
There was a point in my own career when work felt unmanageable. Not because I lacked skill or commitment. Not because I was underperforming. But because the cumulative overwhelm, decision fatigue, and constant pressure finally caught up with me.
Here is the part that still makes me pause.
I was not failing.
I left my job on good terms. My managers and colleagues did not want me to leave. When I submitted my resignation, I was asked to stay on for two additional months. That is not something employers typically request when someone is struggling to perform.
Knowing what I know now about ADHD coaching, I am confident that if I had asked for employer-supported coaching at the time, my request would have been approved. It would have been a reasonable investment. It would have helped me manage overwhelm more effectively. And it very likely would have helped me stay.
But I did not ask, because I did not know how to frame it.
Why asking for ADHD coaching at work feels so hard
Many adults with ADHD hesitate to ask for workplace support because they worry it will be misunderstood or viewed as a personal issue rather than a professional one.
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) often amplifies those fears. Am I worth the investment? Will this change how they see me? What if I am asking for too much?
Those questions are common. They are also the reason so many capable, high-performing ADHDers push through burnout instead of asking for support earlier.
ADHD coaching is professional development, not therapy
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the belief that requesting ADHD coaching requires explaining ADHD in detail or disclosing deeply personal information. It does not.
ADHD coaching is a structured, skills-based form of professional development. It focuses on how work gets done, not on personal history or clinical treatment. Coaching commonly targets areas such as planning, prioritization, time management, task initiation, follow-through, and reducing overwhelm during high-demand periods.
It is not therapy. It is not clinical treatment. And it is not about asking for special treatment.
Many employers already fund leadership coaching, performance coaching, training programs, and skill development. In many organizations, ADHD coaching fits within existing professional development, learning and development, or wellness budgets. Coverage varies by company, but the framework is often already in place.
I have coached clients through both my private practice and Agave Health whose employers were willing to cover the cost of ADHD coaching once it was framed clearly as a work-focused support.
Why I created this employer ADHD coaching guide
I created Requesting Employer-Supported ADHD Coaching: A Practical, Work-Focused Gui)de to help remove the uncertainty and emotional weight from this process.
This guide is designed to help you approach the conversation with clarity, confidence, and an employer-facing lens.
Inside the full guide, you will find:
- Clear language to frame ADHD coaching as professional development
- Employer-focused talking points for live conversations
- An editable email template you can customize
- Reflection prompts to help you clarify your ask before reaching out
If you want the essentials only, I also created a 1-page Quick Reference Gui)de. It is designed for annual reviews, HR conversations, or situations where you want fast clarity without reading a longer guide. The quick reference outlines what ADHD coaching is, what it is not, why employers support it, and where it is often funded
The full six-page guide walks through the process step by step, including framing, sample language, and employer benefits
A final reminder before you ask
You are not advocating for special treatment.
You are advocating for effective, sustainable work.
If you have ever thought, “If I could just manage the overwhelm better, I know I would perform at my best,” this resource was created with you in mind.
You do not have to figure out how to ask for support on your own.