ADD Coach Academy

Short answer: there’s no single “best” non‑medication option — the right choice depends on your age, symptoms, goals (time management, emotional regulation, relationship problems, school/work performance), and whether you want coaching (practical accountability and skills) or therapy (treating mood, anxiety, and thinking patterns). Below are evidence‑based options, reputable providers/services, and how to choose between them. What works (and why) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for ADHD (adults): well‑supported by research to improve organization, time management, procrastination, and coping with ADHD‑related thoughts and emotions. Use a licensed therapist trained in CBT for ADHD. ADHD coaching / executive‑function coaching: focuses on routines, planning, accountability, and real‑world strategies rather than clinical therapy. Good for structure, productivity, and remedial skills. Skills training and group programs: skills groups (CBT groups, executive‑function groups, parent training) provide structure and peer accountability. Mindfulness and DBT skills: help with emotional regulation and attention; good adjuncts when impulsivity and mood lability are problems. Digital tools + accountability (apps, focus partners): useful complements to coaching/therapy to support habits and attention. Reputable places, services, and tools (why they’re worth considering) Hallowell Centers (The Hallowell Center): clinics and telehealth founded by Dr. Ned Hallowell that offer ADHD‑informed therapy and coaching. Good if you want clinicians with deep ADHD focus and both therapy and coaching options. CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) and ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association): not service providers but excellent directories, education, and support groups to find local ADHD‑aware therapists/coaches and peer support. ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) directory: searchable directory of coaches who specialize in ADHD. Useful to find credentialed ADHD coaches. ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA): one of the largest coach training programs; many coaches who graduated from ADDCA specialize in ADHD and list that on their profiles. Psychology Today / Zencare: widely used directories that let you filter for therapists who specialize in ADHD and CBT; Zencare vets clinicians and often highlights those with ADHD experience. ADHD Online: telehealth assessments and coaching/therapy resources (note: they also provide medication when appropriate, but you can use their coaching/therapy offerings without pursuing meds). CHADD’s Parent to Parent and Barkley Parent Training resources: for parents of children with ADHD, evidence‑based parent training (Russell Barkley’s programs are widely used). Group programs and coaching firms: many clinicians offer CBT groups for adult ADHD (search “CBT for adult ADHD group + your city” or check CHADD/ADDA calendars). Accountability/focus tools (complements): Focusmate (live accountability), Forest (focus timer), Pomodoro apps like TickTick/Toggl/BeFocused, Brain.fm (focus music), RescueTime (distraction tracking). These are low‑cost ways coaches often use in plans. How to choose a provider If you need mental‑health treatment (depression, anxiety, self‑harm, severe impairment): choose a licensed therapist (psychologist, LCSW, LPC) trained in CBT/DBT for ADHD. If you want practical, day‑to‑day help (schedules, prioritizing, accountability): choose an ADHD coach (look for ADHD‑specific training, membership in ACO, and clear coaching contract). Ask candidates these questions: experience with ADHD, typical approach (CBT vs coaching), session frequency, measurable goals, examples of outcomes, refund/cancellation policy, whether they collaborate with other providers. Check credentials: for therapy—state license and CBT training; for coaching—training from ADDCA, ACC/ICF, or experience working specifically with ADHD and client references. Cost/logistics: coaching is often not insurance‑covered; therapy may be. Ask about sliding scale, group options (cheaper), and telehealth. When to choose therapy first If you have comorbid mood/anxiety disorders, relationship problems, substance‑use issues, or suicidal thoughts, start with a licensed mental‑health provider. If skills and structure are your main problem and you’re otherwise emotionally stable, coaching alone can be effective. If you like, I can: Recommend 3–5 specific therapists or coaches near you or via telehealth (tell me your age, location or time zone, budget, and whether you prefer coach vs therapist). Help you draft questions to ask prospective coaches/therapists. If you’re in crisis or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line immediately.

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I don’t have live data from 2026 (my training goes to mid‑2024), so I can’t guarantee how services have changed since then. Below I give (A) platforms that were leading options through 2023–2024 and the reasons people chose them, (B) how to evaluate marketplace changes in 2026, and (C) what to watch for and questions to ask each service before you sign up. Services (known strong options through 2024 — check current status in 2026) Done (Done ADHD) Why: Focused exclusively on adult ADHD care, straightforward intake, subscription model for ongoing medication management and follow‑ups. Good if you want a dedicated ADHD provider experience rather than general psychiatry. Best for: Adults seeking a streamlined, DTC ADHD care path. ADHD Online Why: Specializes in ADHD assessment and treatment using standardized questionnaires and clinician evaluations. Longstanding presence in the online ADHD niche. Best for: People who want a structured online diagnostic assessment with digital reporting. Brightline (pediatric behavioral health) Why: Designed for children and teens — combines clinicians, care coordinators, and family support. Good integration with schools and pediatrics. Best for: Families pursuing telehealth ADHD care for kids/teens with multi‑disciplinary support. PlushCare Why: National telehealth platform offering psychiatry and primary‑care‑based ADHD treatment; accepts some insurance plans. Offers continuity with board‑certified clinicians. Best for: People who want insurance‑friendly options and access to MD/DO prescribers. Teladoc Health / Amwell / Doctor On Demand (Included Health) Why: Large, established telemedicine companies that offer psychiatry and medication management for ADHD in many states. They have robust provider networks and often accept insurance. Best for: Patients who prefer established telehealth infrastructures and insurance billing. One Medical (primary care with virtual + in‑person) Why: Integrated care model — combines virtual visits with in‑person clinics (important if you want occasional face‑to‑face follow‑up). Useful for long‑term management and comorbid medical care. Best for: People wanting integrated primary care + psychiatric management and local clinic access. SteadyMD Why: Matches you with a single clinician for longitudinal care (beneficial for continuity in ADHD meds/titration). Often used by people who value a long‑term relationship with one prescriber. Best for: Patients who want a dedicated clinician relationship rather than rotating tele‑psychiatrists. Also consider: Local/academic specialty ADHD clinics (often best for complex cases or comorbidities). ADHD coaching platforms or therapists (BetterHelp, Talkspace for therapy; certified ADHD coaches through ADD Coach Academy affiliates) to complement medication. How to evaluate services in 2026 (quick checklist) Licensing and availability: Are providers licensed in your state? (Teleprescribing of controlled substances varies by state.) Provider type: Are diagnoses and stimulant prescriptions done by board‑certified psychiatrists or experienced physicians, or by nurse practitioners/physician assistants (both OK but check experience and supervision)? Assessment thoroughness: Do they use validated ADHD rating scales, developmental/childhood history, collateral information (school reports/family input) and rule out other causes (sleep, thyroid, substance use)? Controlled‑substance policy: What is their policy for initial stimulant prescriptions, home delivery, urine screening, required in‑person visits, and prescription refills? Follow‑up/monitoring: Clear plan for medication titration, monitoring side effects, periodic reassessment, and easy access for urgent issues. Insurance & cost transparency: Do they accept your insurance or provide clear pricing for visits and meds? Privacy & data security: HIPAA compliance and clear data handling/privacy policy. Reputation & regulation: Recent patient reviews, complaints, or regulatory actions (state medical board, FTC, lawsuits). Check news and state medical board sites for any sanctions. Red flags to avoid Rapid “prescription-first” models that issue stimulants after a single brief visit without standardized assessment. Lack of clear follow‑up plan or difficulty contacting clinicians between visits. No verification of clinician credentials or unclear licensure. Opaque pricing or surprise fees for follow‑ups/med changes. Questions to ask a service before you sign up Who will perform my evaluation (MD/DO/psychiatrist vs NP/PA)? Are they board‑certified? What assessment tools and history sources do you use? Will you prescribe stimulants if appropriate? What are your policies for controlled substances? How often will we have follow‑up appointments, and how do I contact my clinician between appointments? Do you accept my insurance or offer a transparent subscription/pricing plan? Are you licensed to treat patients in my state? If you have a complex medical or psychiatric history, substance‑use concerns, or need pediatric evaluation, prioritize an in‑person or academic specialty clinic. If you want, tell me: whether this is for an adult or child, your state (so I can point to likely licensure rules), whether you prefer insurance vs cash pay, and I’ll tailor a short list of likely best fits and what to verify for each.

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