Why I Take the Parent First Approach

Don’t hear it from me, hear it from my client:

“I started with Alicia to learn about my son’s ADHD and how to help him and understand his challenges. However, over the course of several months, I began to realize that I might have ADHD. I pursued this and have since been diagnosed with ADHD. This really changed how I approached the coaching sessions. Before working with Alicia, I had many struggles with motivation, getting organized, being overwhelmed all the time, self-doubt, and so on. The list is long. I had been doing some research and reading on ADHD for the purpose of learning how to parent a child with ADHD. I often felt overwhelmed with all the ideas and information, and unsure of how to really make an impact on his life. I wanted to help him understand that he is an amazing kid, with amazing superpowers, and that we just needed to figure out how to get things organized.

All the research seemed to point to getting a therapist as a good first step. However, I could not find one. The process of searching for one was very daunting. Then, my brother mentioned that he and my sister-in-law started seeing an ADHD coach for their son. I didn’t even know that was a thing. But, as soon as he said it, I knew. I knew that was what we needed.

Alicia’s style fits perfectly for me. She has a great way of sharing information that is helpful, informative, easy to understand, with a touch of sweet wittiness and great compassion. I have to admit that at our first meeting, I was prepared to really start talking about my son and his situation and his needs. I had my “mom” hat on. So when Alicia asked about me and my needs first, I was completely thrown off guard. In a good way, mind you. I had not put myself first in many years. I respected her immediately for seeing that need.

The best part of working with Alicia is that she helped me realize that I have the same neurodivergent brain as my kiddo. Alicia asked reflective questions and provided good insights all through the process. It was like checking off boxes, and then the realization that this is ok and I have resources to help me through this new awareness. I really appreciate her style of curious questioning, in which she asks more and more questions so I figure out what to try and what might work best for me and my son.

My life is forever changed in a remarkable way. I am a proud ADHD woman and mom. I have found a community in which to thrive. I am open with friends and family about my journey, and I have Alicia to thank for helping me discover and navigate this path.”

— Jennifer F (Denver, CO)

Helping your child with ADHD isn’t always about giving them the “right” tools or strategies. Oftentimes, those quick fixes are short-lived. When you give the time and space to create a better understanding of how your child’s brain works and the opportunity to implement ADHD-informed perspectives, as well as individualized methods to work with their brain, relationships improve, tensions release, and collaboration occurs. If you’re looking for a parent coach who gets it, connect with me to explore how an ADHD coach can support your child in an authentic way, or with one of our other wonderful coaches at The Center.