Since coaching is a very personal relationship, it's important that you feel comfortable with your coach and that your coach feels comfortable with you.

Questions to ask a Potential ADD Coach
Use this list of questions as a guide when you interview coaches.

• What training have you had to be a coach? And, specifically, to be an ADD coach?
  
• How long have you been a coach?
  
• What did you do before becoming a coach?
  
• How do you decide what to work on with your clients?
  
• What do you expect from your clients?
  
• What kinds of clients do you work really well with?
  
• What type of client situations do you NOT like to work with?
  
• What would you do if I had a situation you didn't know how to handle?
  
• How would you approach coaching a client in my situation?

Is Dana the right coach for you?
Dana's answers to the questions to ask a potential coach…

• What training have you had to be a coach? And, specifically, to be an ADD coach? I'm a graduate of Coach U. My ADD Coach training was from the Optimal Functioning Institute.
  
  
• How long have you been a coach? Though I used coaching techniques as a professional organizer, I officially started coaching in 1998.
  
  
• What did you do before becoming a coach? I was self-employed as a professional organizer and a consultant for eight years. Before that I worked in the corporate world as a strategic planner, a systems analyst and a labor relations representative.
  
  
• How do you decide what to work on with your clients? We clarify and work on the client's goals for coaching. I also like to weave in some personal awareness work that I find important to living a fulfilling life.
  
  
• What do you expect from your clients? I expect them to do the absolute best they can, and to be honest with themselves and me. I expect them to be responsible for their actions and open to new ways of doing things.
  
  
• What kinds of clients do you work really well with? I really click with people who are straightforward and excited about life's possibilities. Who, despite their AD/HD, are able to get things done. People who are in tune with themselves and ready to change.
  
  
• What type of client's do you NOT like to work with? I'm not the best coach for people who are really struggling to function with their AD/HD. I won't work with people who complain a lot and blame others for their situation. Who won't do any work yet expect the coaching to work wonders. Also people who are resentful of my fees.
  
  
• What would you do if I had a situation you didn't know how to handle? I have a wide network of coaches and ADD professionals with whom I can talk things through or to refer the client if necessary.
  
  
• Does the coaching ever NOT work? What happens? Sometimes coaching doesn't work. Usually because I've taken on a client that I think is a good match but who isn't. Or there's a client who I just can't find a way to help. As soon as I realize coaching isn't working, and talk it over with the client, I'm happy to refer them to another coach or professional.

If you're interested in having a coach and like Dana's answers to these questions, take the next step and arrange for her free, 20-minute get-acquainted interview. No sales pitch; just a chance for both of you to get to know each other and clarify what you want from coaching.

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