When a psychologist tells a coach she is doubtful about ADHD coaching

I recently met the founder of a psychotherapy centre - a warm, sharp, and wonderfully candid woman. I'd reached out on LinkedIn to explore a potential partnership as her centre's ADHD coach.

The moment we sat down, she said with a friendly smile and unfiltered honesty: "I actually have doubts about coaching. It's failed me before."

My heart sank - just a little. For just a little while. Because right there, I saw what I value most in people: raw honesty. No sugar-coating. Just truth.

So I asked. We talked about her disappointments - the unmet expectations, the "coaching" that felt too formulaic, too detached.

But despite her disillusionment, she stayed curious about my work - how I moved from leadership coaching into ADHD and executive function coaching.

I told her, equally candidly, that I, on the other hand, am a strong believer in coaching - precisely because I never had one. Looking back, there were so many moments I wish I'd had someone to help me see what I couldn't, so I wouldn't have had to learn things the hard (and lonely) way.

Then she said, "Let's do a role play - you coach, I'll be the coachee."

We dove in.
Twenty minutes later, she called "Cut."

In that split second, I realised how immersed I had been - I'd totally forgotten it wasn't real!

She paused, looked at me, and said she felt my empathy, and had even gained an insight from this brief role play - something she hadn't experienced in her past real coaching sessions.

That day, she offered me a chance to join her team - the first ADHD coach at her centre, working alongside an expert team of psychotherapists and professionals.

Real conversations start with an impersonal stance.
No fake alignment.
When both parties come with curiosity over prejudice, meaningful connections unfold.