About the Coach

I’m Stephanie Adams (she/they), and I get ADHD. Like you, I’ve had my ups and downs with my distractable, creative, sensitive, joyful, sometimes-maddening but always-powerful ADHD brain! And I’m here to tell you: you don’t have to do this alone.

Like many people with ADHD, I spent years frustrated and out of touch with myself. I tried endless to-do lists, apps, calendars, planners, and productivity hacks, but nothing ever seemed to work for long. I felt like I was stuck spinning my wheels while life left me behind.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in my twenties. Medication and therapy helped a lot, but it took ADHD coaching - a collaborative, creative process designed by ADHD brains for ADHD brains - to help me learn how to work with my ADHD, tap into my strengths, and launch myself full-tilt into life. Now I support other adults, children, and families to navigate life with ADHD in a world that doesn’t always understand our unique brains.

I’ve learned from some of brightest lights in the field of ADHD coaching, including comprehensive training focused on ADHD coaching with young people and families. I also graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta, with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a strong foundation in child and adolescent development.

I love working with people affected by ADHD from all walks of life, ranging in age from preschool to retirement and beyond. If you’re ready to get clear on what’s important, set achievable goals, and create personalized strategies that are as unique as your brain, let’s talk!

A person with short brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. They are wearing a red flannel and an ivory cardigan, and the Edmonton downtown skyline is visible in the background.

Just the FAQs

  • Great question! As an ADHD coach, I’ll work collaboratively with you to set and follow up on your goals, uncover your strengths, build your skills and capacities, and develop personalized strategies to support you in facing the challenges of life with ADHD. I make a great brainstorming partner, troubleshooter, reality checker, and cheerleader! And, maybe most importantly - I’m someone who gets it. I have ADHD too, so I know what it’s like to live with a unique (and sometimes frustrating) ADHD brain in a world that doesn’t always understand. We’re in this together!

  • Nope! ADHD coaching can benefit anyone who knows, feels, or suspects that they are affected by ADHD or ADHD-like qualities. If you (or someone close to you) are dealing with impulsivity, procrastination, disorganization, physical or mental hyperactivity, inattention, or forgetfulness, we’ll have lots to talk about whether you have an official ADHD diagnosis or not!

  • While I love working with young people, many of my clients are adults! I know how frustrating it can be to go looking for help as an ADHD adult, only to find page after page of resources for kids and their parents. ADHD can affect people of any age, and I’m here to help no matter where you are in life.

    Potential clients under the age of 18 will need permission from a parent or legal guardian to receive coaching services. While I’m comfortable working with children as young as preschool age, ADHD coaching looks a little different for children and preteens, and usually requires more active participation from parents and/or caregivers.

  • ADHD coaching and therapy can both be beneficial to people affected by ADHD, but they are different things! I am not a therapist, and I encourage any current or potential clients who think they might benefit from therapy to seek out those services from a licensed, qualified, ADHD-aware therapist, counsellor, or psychologist.

    As far as qualifications go, I have a BA in psychology, a lifetime of experience living with ADHD, and over 200 hours of specialized ADHD and life coach training from the ADD Coach Academy, one of the first and largest ADHD coach training programs in the world. Their training is recognized and accredited by the International Coaching Federation and the Professional Association for ADHD Coaches.

  • My standard rate is $130 CAD per coaching hour. However, finances are an area of challenge for many ADHDers, and I am committed to financial accessibility. I offer sliding scale rates, on the honour system (no paperwork required!), starting at $70 CAD per coaching hour.

    If my sliding scale rates are inaccessible to you, please reach out and inquire about my availability for scholarship/pro bono coaching. I am also always happy to provide thoughtful referrals to free and low-cost ADHD resources.

    On the subject of insurance and other sources of funding/financial aid for coaching: ADHD coaching is a relatively young field and many insurance providers do not recognize it or provide coverage for it. I have heard of coaching clients having some success paying for ADHD coaching through a Health Spending Account, Lifestyle Spending Account, or similar program. I have also heard of Canadian post-secondary students receiving funding for ADHD coaching (or executive function coaching, or academic support coaching) through federal grant programs for students with disabilities.

    I am happy to work with insurance providers, academic accessibility advisors, disability support workers, social workers, etc in whatever capacity I can; however, I cannot guarantee the success of individual applications for grant funding or insurance coverage.

Mission and Values Statement

Playful Minds ADHD Coaching supports adults, children, youth, and families affected by ADHD to work hard, play harder, dream bigger, and build amazing ADHD lives. I believe that with the right supports, skills, and strategies, life with ADHD can be even more meaningful and fulfilling than you can imagine – even if our ADHD challenges never fully go away. You won’t find any generic look-on-the-bright-side advice or pie-in-the-sky ‘cures’ here – just compassionate, educated, honest support.

I’m a neurodiversity-affirming, 2SLGBTQIA+-friendly, disability-inclusive, and weight-neutral practitioner with strong values. I believe that Black lives matter, the time for economic and climate justice is now, and we all have our part to play in making our world a better place. I love working with children and youth, creatives, tech nerds, geeks and gamers, self-proclaimed ‘weirdos’, unconventional families, and anyone who thinks that life could stand to be a lot more fun.

I am fortunate to call Amiskwaciwâskahikan / ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲ (colonially known as Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), located within Treaty 6 Territory and the Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4, my home. I acknowledge this land as the traditional territories of many First Nations such as the Nehiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot). We are all treaty people. In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, I commit to reflection and action to support the Indigenous people of this land, through political solidarity as well as material support.

If you have any questions about my mission and values statement, feel free to contact me directly at stephanie@playfulmindscoaching.com.