Why ADHD and Autism Coaching Works (And How It’s Different From Therapy)

Oct 28

Now available in-person in Ferntree Gully and online across Melbourne and Victoria.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD or autism as an adult, you might be hearing the term coaching thrown around — maybe in podcasts, maybe online, maybe by a friend. And if you're anything like most of our local clients, you're wondering:

What is ADHD or autism coaching, and is it just therapy in disguise?

Let’s break it down — what it is, what it isn’t, and why it works so well for neurodivergent adults living in Melbourne and the surrounding eastern suburbs.

Coaching vs. Therapy: What's the Actual Difference?

Think of therapy as a deep-dive into why you think, feel, and respond the way you do. It’s often focused on exploring your past, emotions, trauma, and how those patterns show up in the present.

ADHD and autism coaching, on the other hand, focuses on the how — how to get out the door on time, how to follow through on the tasks you meant to start hours ago, how to set up your day so it doesn’t totally wipe you out by 11am.

A coach isn’t going to unpack your childhood.

They’re going to help you figure out why your calendar system keeps falling apart, or why every email feels like a mountain. It’s practical, forward-looking, and laser-focused on helping you function better — with your brain, not someone else’s.

What ADHD/Autism Coaching Actually Does

Neurodivergent brains often know exactly what they want to do — they just can’t always make the jump from insight to action.

That’s where coaching comes in. It helps externalise your decision-making process and builds structures that support your real-life attention span, sensory needs, and energy rhythms.

A neurodivergent coach might support you with things like:

Turning overwhelm into small, doable steps
Designing routines that work with (not against) your energy levels
Creating systems that actually fit your sensory and executive function needs
Learning to self-advocate without performing
Reducing burnout and masking cycles

The goal? Sustainable momentum, not trying to “do all the things.”

Why Coaching Works for Neurodivergent Adults

Most self-help advice out there assumes a neurotypical brain — one that’s happy to delay gratification, stick to a rigid plan, or follow a routine just because it’s "good for you."

That’s not how ADHD and autistic brains tend to work.

Coaching acknowledges this. It offers:

Structure without rigidity
Accountability without shame
Personalised strategies that play to your strengths

Good coaches aren’t just cheerleaders. They’re translators — helping you understand and work with your brain’s unique operating system.

Who ADHD and Autism Coaching Is Best For

Coaching is particularly helpful for people who:

Aren’t in immediate crisis
Have done some therapy and understand their emotional patterns
Are sick of the cycle of procrastination, overwhelm, and guilt
Want support to implement insight into action
Crave clarity, consistency, and calm

If you’ve ever said:

“I know what I need to do, I just can’t seem to do it.”

…then coaching might be the missing piece you’ve been looking for.

Coaching Helps Bridge the Gap

At its core, ADHD and autism coaching is not about “fixing” you. It’s about translating your brain’s language into a rhythm of living that actually works.

It helps you:

Take action on what matters
Reduce shame and overwhelm
Create routines that reflect who you actually are
Feel like life has space, not just noise

ADHD and Autism Coaching in Ferntree Gully (Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne)

We’re excited to announce that ADHD and Autism Coaching is now available at our Ferntree Gully practice, and online across Victoria.

Our coach, Mat Keany, brings lived experience and practical tools to help neurodivergent adults stop spinning their wheels and start building routines that actually work. He blends therapeutic insight with everyday problem-solving — making him one of the few Melbourne ADHD coaches working from both a neuroaffirming and trauma-informed lens.

Whether you’re:

based locally in the eastern suburbs,
travelling from greater Melbourne,
or prefer to work with someone online who gets it —
we’ve got flexible options that fit your lifestyle.