How to Have Your Employer Pay for Your ADHD Coaching
I was talking with one of my coaches the other day about something that struck us both as strange: most of our clients pay out of pocket for coaching, yet so much of what we work on in coaching directly benefits our clients' organizations. The strategies we develop, the thinking and planning and decision making we do - all of this shows up in how our clients perform at work.
We're starting to see more employers sponsor ADHD coaching, recognizing it as valuable professional development. If you haven't considered this route before, I want to walk you through an approach that some of our clients have successfully used to have their employers sponsor coaching.
Why employers benefit from ADHD coaching
Think about your typical day at work. Managing complex tasks with many moving parts, coordinating with different teams, and making strategic decisions - these all place high demands on executive function skills. For ADHDers, navigating these demands in the workplace while maintaining the high standards we have for our work does often require working differently from the status quo, drawing from specific strategies and support.
When our clients show up to coaching, they're not just developing personal strategies - they're optimizing how they show up at work. We work on skills and capabilities that directly benefit their employer from strengthening focus, planning and prioritization, workload management, strategic thinking, problem solving and communication. We also help our clients understand their natural strengths and motivators in order to do their best work in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.
The business case for ADHD coaching
Your organization likely has a learning and development budget set aside for you. While people typically use this for courses and workshops, coaching can often provide more direct value. Here's why:
Unlike general courses that teach standardized approaches, coaching helps you discover how you specifically do your best work
Rather than learning theory, you're developing practical strategies you can implement immediately
Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, coaching adapts to your specific challenges and organizational context
The skills developed through coaching - from better prioritization to improved team communication - directly impact your day-to-day performance
A Note About Disclosure
It's important to acknowledge that not everyone has disclosed their ADHD at work, nor wishes to do so. When and if to share your ADHD diagnosis is a deeply personal choice. Requesting ADHD coaching support might involve vulnerable conversations with your manager or HR representative. While this post is for those who are comfortable having these discussions, we respect that this approach isn't right for everyone.
A Step by Step Approach to Get Your ADHD Coaching Funded
To start, it's helpful to position coaching as specialized professional development that helps you optimize your unique strengths.
Before sending an email or formally requesting funding, start with these steps:
Get clear on your organization's L&D policies:
What's the typical budget per person?
What types of development are usually supported? Do you know anyone else who's had coaching sponsored?
Who makes these decisions?
If a L&D budget is not available, are there any other avenues to consider?
Reflect on your needs and objectives:
Consider how ADHD impacts your work performance
What specific work challenges would you like to address?
How might improving in these areas benefit your team and organization?
What are some practical outcomes that could result from coaching?
Here are some examples:
Enhanced project execution and delivery
Improved workload management and prioritization
Success in leveling up for a promotion or settling into a new role
Start informal conversations:
During regular check-ins with your manager, share the specific work challenges where coaching could help, along with your development goals
Use these conversations to gauge support and understand any concerns
Ask about next steps in the formal request process
Having your employer sponsor your ADHD coaching isn't just about securing funding - it's about recognizing that the work we do in coaching creates real value for organizations. While this approach might not be right for everyone, I hope sharing these steps makes it easier for those who want to explore this route.
If you've gotten the green light from your employer and are ready to explore ADHD coaching, book a Discovery Session at this link to meet with a member of the Dream Team and learn more about working with us.
