Coaching & Support For Teens With ADHD
For Many Teens with ADHD, Life Can Feel Like This:
School feels harder than it should.
They want to stay on top of things, but their brain keeps pulling them in a hundred directions.
Deadlines sneak up, emotions feel big, and anxiety creeps in when everything starts to pile up.
Sometimes they feel stuck, unsure where to start or how to catch up.
They wonder why everyone else seems to have it figured out.
They’re trying, it just feels exhausting.
What Support Does Your Teen Need?
Every teen with ADHD is different, but these are some of the areas where coaching can make a real difference.
Confidence: learning to see their strengths, not just their struggles, and building a sense of pride in who they are.
Focus & Attention: finding practical, ADHD-friendly ways to stay engaged, get started, and follow through on tasks.
Organisation & Planning: developing simple systems to manage schoolwork, due dates, and responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.
Managing Anxiety & Overwhelm: understanding how their nervous system works and using tools to calm their body and mind when things feel too much.
Emotional Regulation: learning how to pause, name emotions, and respond rather than react when feelings get big.
Motivation & Follow-Through: finding strategies that make boring or difficult tasks more interesting and rewarding.
Self-Awareness & Communication: helping them understand how their brain works, express needs clearly, and build stronger relationships with parents, teachers, and friends.
How to Study Effectively: discovering study methods that actually work for the ADHD brain, active learning, movement, visual tools, and short bursts of focus instead of long hours of stress.
How I Help Teens With ADHD
Parents and teachers want the best for teens with ADHD, that’s never in question. But many don’t realise these teens aren’t lacking motivation or willpower; they just need help understanding how their brain works, and strategies that make everyday life smoother.
Coaching gives your teen a space to pause, reflect, and learn at their own pace. We work on practical strategies, emotional awareness, and confidence, helping them see that ADHD isn’t a sign of something wrong, but a different wiring that can be understood and supported.
You’re already doing so much; coaching simply adds another layer of calm, clarity, and support.
I help teens build realistic systems, strengthen executive function skills, and feel more confident managing their time, schoolwork, and emotions.
Most of all, I become another supportive person in your teen’s corner, cheering them on, helping them problem-solve, and reminding them that their ADHD brain is full of potential. Together, we create a team around your teen that helps them feel understood, capable, and confident. (And yes, I tend to become a bit of a proud virtual aunty along the way!)
Why an Outside Voice Can Make a Difference
Teens often take things in differently when it comes from someone outside the family.
Coaching provides that neutral space, where they can reflect, learn practical tools, and start to believe in their own abilities. It works best as a partnership: you continue offering love and structure at home, while I guide them in building confidence and self-awareness.
If you know your teen is feeling (or looking stuck) - let's chat!
Why Teens With ADHD Are My Jam
My interest in ADHD began after my own diagnosis, but looking back, it made so much sense.
As a teacher, I’d always found it easy to connect with the kids who struggled, whether it was with learning, anxiety, behaviour, or sometimes all three. I could see how hard they were trying, even when it didn’t look that way from the outside. That curiosity and compassion naturally grew into a desire to understand what was really going on beneath the surface.
A few years later, my son was also diagnosed with ADHD. When he was finishing high school, motivation, prioritisation, and organisation were daily battles. I nagged, I bribed, I tried everything to help him keep up. If only I’d known there was a different way.
Now, as an ADHD Life Coach, I bring together my years of teaching experience and my lived understanding of ADHD to support teens and families in practical, encouraging ways, helping them find what works for their brain, and to feel more capable and understood.
Each Session Is Designed To:
Help them notice what’s actually getting in the way, whether it’s focus, overwhelm, anxiety, or motivation.
Teach ADHD-friendly tools for planning, studying, and managing emotions.
Build self-awareness, calm, and confidence that lasts far beyond coaching.
I use warmth, humour, and real-life examples to make the strategies stick. Teens often tell me it’s the first time they’ve felt truly understood, like someone finally 'gets' how their brain works.
It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress, confidence, and self-compassion.
How ADHD Coaching Supports Teens with Real-Life Struggles
Coaching isn’t about forcing change, it’s about creating space to grow.
I work with young people who feel overwhelmed by school, stuck in procrastination, easily distracted, or frustrated that their best never seems to be 'enough.'
In weekly sessions, we focus on real-life challenges: getting started on homework, managing emotions, handling friendships, organising time, and learning to self-regulate in ways that actually make sense for their ADHD brain.
Through coaching, teens begin to understand how their brain works: why some things feel harder (or easier), and which strategies truly help. Together, we explore tools that build confidence, motivation, and self-awareness in ways that feel doable and supportive.
Sessions are calm and welcoming, a space where your teen can take their time, feel heard, and reflect. Many describe it as a relief to talk with someone who just gets how their brain works.
Practical Tools & E-Books to Support Your Teen
Along the way, I share ADHD-friendly resources like workbooks, templates, and checklists, simple tools your teen can use between sessions to feel more capable and in control. Each resource helps your teen build self-awareness, independence, and confidence, giving them the skills to take ownership of their routines, emotions, and goals long after coaching ends.
Parent Testimonials: The Impact of ADHD Coaching on Their Teen’s Life
"However Trudy welds her magic it works!"
Trudy coached my 15-year-old son for six months, and the change in him has been incredible. He looked forward to every session with Trudy, even the ones that started at 7 am! He’s so much happier now, thinking proactively about how he wants to approach school, and his confidence has grown immensely. We can’t thank Trudy enough for her support and guidance!
Tina
Mum of Sam, Age 15 Melbourne
"Trudy is an amazing coach!"
She took the time to meet the whole family. Trudy has really helped my daughter with learning about how her ADHD affects her individually and how to manage it. Trudy is one of those rare precious school teachers that are so good with kids that you just want to bottle them. She goes above and beyond.
Kath
Mum of Jenna, Age 13, Canberra
"Trudy sees my son for exactly who he is - beautiful, sensitive, smart, and creative."
My son would come away from every single session with Trudy with a huge smile on his face. They connected in a meaningful way and he felt seen and heard and understood. Trudy is a gift to our kids, she is fun and sparkly and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking a guiding light and mentor on their ADHD journey.
Em
Mum of Mahia, Age 13, New Zealand
Lived experience makes a difference. Teens open up more when they know I have ADHD too, it helps them feel seen, understood, less alone and like they’re not the only one navigating this stuff.
Start Here: A Simple First Step for You and Your Teen
Get started today by scheduling a complimentary 15-minute one-on-one discovery call. Use this time to share what's currently going on with your teen and discuss where you’d like them to be after receiving ADHD coaching
I look forward to connecting with you soon.
FAQs
Find answers to commonly asked questions about ADHD coaching for teens
What happens in an ADHD coaching session?
We set clear goals: I help teens define achievable goals that are realistic and specific to their needs, so they have a direction to work toward.
We create tailored strategies: Together, we develop practical tools to manage ADHD-related challenges like focus, organisation, time management and emotional well-being.
We highlight their strengths: I focus on what they’re naturally good at and use those strengths to create personalised solutions for the obstacles they face.
We build skills: I teach them essential executive function skills, such as planning, prioritising tasks, and managing their time effectively.
We reflect and stay accountable: Each session, we review their progress, celebrate their wins, and identify areas for growth to keep them on track.
How long is each coaching session?
Each coaching session goes for 45 minutes.
What are your qualifications?
I have a degree in education and a diploma in teaching, with over 25 years of experience as a teacher and literacy intervention specialist. I completed my ADHD coach training at The International ADHD Coach Training Center, an ICF Accredited Coach Training Organization. I'm also an associate member of AADPA (Australian ADHD Professional Association), which keeps me connected with the latest research and best practices in supporting individuals with ADHD
Will I receive updates on my teen’s progress?
ADHD coaching sessions are confidential between your teen and me. However, there will be times when your teen may need your support with implementing the strategies we’ve planned. Coaching is designed to complement other forms of support but isn't a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. My role is to help your teen develop practical strategies and behaviours to manage their ADHD more effectively and confidently.
How will ADHD coaching help my teen?
Improves focus and organisation: Coaching helps your teen develop tools to stay organised and focused on tasks, both at school and home.
Builds time management skills: Your teen will learn how to better manage their time, set priorities, and meet deadlines more effectively.
Boosts confidence: Coaching encourages your teen to recognise their strengths and use them to overcome challenges, building self-confidence.
Supports emotional regulation: Teens learn strategies to manage emotions like frustration, overwhelm, and anxiety in a healthy way.
Encourages self-advocacy: Coaching empowers your teen to communicate their needs, ask for help, and take ownership of their ADHD management.
How many one-on-one coaching sessions do you recommend?
This is a great question! It's a bit tricky to answer because every teen is unique, with their own set of challenges and strengths. On average, most of my teen clients benefit from around 20 weekly one-on-one sessions to start with. After that, we usually move into fortnightly sessions as they begin to feel more confident and develop their skills. However, the exact number of sessions will depend on your teen's individual needs and progress.
How can I describe what ADHD coaching is to my teen?
A coach is...
Someone who listens, celebrates your wins, and helps you work through challenges.
Always in your corner, offering support and encouragement as you navigate school and life.
Your partner in figuring out ways to stay organised, build confidence, and make homework, friendships, or school feel a little easier.
There to help you find what works for you, so you can feel more in control and ready to tackle things one step at a time.
A coach is about making things less overwhelming and helping you see what’s possible!
What’s the difference between an ADHD Life Coach, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, and Counsellor?
What does an ADHD Life Coach do?
An ADHD Life Coach (that’s me!) supports teens with the practical, everyday challenges of ADHD. Coaching focuses on:
*Executive function skills
*Study habits and homework systems
*Emotional regulation strategies
*Motivation, consistency, and routines
*Time-management and organisation
*Confidence, strengths, and self-advocacy
*Coaching is future-focused, skills-based, and highly practical.
We work together to help your teen take action, problem-solve, and build momentum, not analyse the past or diagnose anything.
An ADHD coach doesn’t treat mental health conditions, but we do work alongside health professionals when needed.
What does a Psychiatrist do?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who:
*Diagnoses ADHD and other neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions
*Prescribes and manages medication
*Monitors symptoms, side-effects, and pharmacological treatment
*Psychiatrists look at ADHD from a medical and diagnostic perspective.
They don’t typically provide weekly support, coaching, or practical tools, but they’re essential when medication is part of the teen’s treatment plan.
What does a Psychologist do?
A psychologist focuses on mental health, emotional wellbeing, and therapeutic support. They can:
*Assess for ADHD (depending on training)
*Provide therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem, etc.
*Support emotional development and coping patterns
*Help teens work through past experiences
*Offer behavioural or cognitive-based therapies
Where coaching is action-oriented and strategy-based, psychology tends to be therapeutic and insight-focused.
What does a Counsellor do?
A counsellor provides a safe space for teens to:
*Talk through worries, emotions, relationships, or situations
*Build self-understanding
*Process challenges
*Receive emotional support
Counsellors focus on wellbeing, reflection, and coping, rather than structured ADHD-specific strategies or education.
Do you use IFS (Internal Family Systems) with teens during coaching?
Yes, I can offer gentle IFS-informed guidance with teens when it feels appropriate and when they are open to it. It’s not something I use in every session, but if a teen is curious about understanding what’s happening inside them, I’ll sometimes ask:
“Would you like to get to know the part of you that procrastinates?”
“Do you want to explore the part of you that gets overwhelmed by time?”
“Would it help to understand the anxious part that shows up at school?”
This approach can be incredibly empowering because it helps teens separate who they are from what they struggle with.
Teens often assume they are the problem, that they’re lazy, failing, or not trying hard enough.
IFS helps them see something different:
➡️ They are not the procrastination.
➡️ They are not the anxiety.
➡️ They are not the overwhelm.
Those are simply parts of them that are trying to protect, soothe, warn, or help in some way.
When teens learn to understand these parts with curiosity instead of shame, something shifts:
*Shame softens
*Confidence grows
*They become more compassionate toward themselves
*They develop emotional awareness
*They feel calmer, more in control, and less alone inside their minds
IFS gives them a way to understand why they react the way they do, and that creates space for change, choice, and self-leadership.
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