Dallas runs on performance. Fortune 500 headquarters line the corridor from downtown through Plano and up to Frisco. Goldman Sachs, Toyota North America, AT&T, and a growing wave of tech companies that relocated for the Texas business climate all share the same expectation: consistent, high-level output. The finance sector wants precision. The Telecom Corridor wants speed. The startup scene in Deep Ellum and the Design District wants creative execution on tight timelines. If you have ADHD and you work in any of these environments, you already know the gap between your best days and your worst days feels massive.

So you search for help. And searching for an ADHD coach in the DFW metroplex is its own kind of overwhelming. The region stretches across 9,000 square miles, which means your search results pull in coaches from Plano, Fort Worth, Arlington, McKinney, and a dozen other cities that technically count as the metro area. Some are licensed therapists who mention coaching as an add-on service. Some are life coaches who recently added ADHD to their list of specialties. A few are genuinely credentialed ADHD coaching specialists, but good luck figuring out which is which from a Google listing.

This guide walks through what to look for in an ADHD coach, which credentials actually indicate quality, how to evaluate methodology, and how to make this decision without burning another weekend on research that goes in circles.

What makes ADHD coaching different from therapy or psychiatry

A lot of professionals in Dallas start by going through their company's Employee Assistance Program, or EAP. EAPs typically connect you with a therapist or counselor for a set number of sessions. That can be genuinely helpful, but therapy and coaching serve different purposes, and understanding the distinction matters before you invest time and money in either one.

ADHD coaching is focused on the present and the future. It is a collaborative partnership where you and your coach build practical strategies, systems, and habits for reaching your goals. Coaching is about action. You identify what you want to accomplish, figure out what keeps getting in the way, and develop personalized tools for managing challenges like time management, prioritization, task initiation, and follow-through. A good ADHD coach works with the way your brain actually operates rather than expecting you to force yourself into systems designed for neurotypical people. Neurotypical just means someone whose brain processes information and attention in the way that is considered standard or typical.

Therapy addresses the emotional and psychological layers underneath. A therapist helps you process past experiences, work through anxiety or depression (both of which frequently co-occur with ADHD), and understand emotional patterns. In the DFW corporate world, a lot of adults carry years of frustration, shame, or burnout from trying to keep up without understanding why everything felt so much harder. Therapy is the right space for that work. But therapy on its own doesn't always give you the concrete, tactical systems for getting through your inbox or stopping the cycle of missed deadlines.

Psychiatry handles the medical side. A psychiatrist can formally diagnose ADHD, prescribe medication, and manage your treatment over time. If you're exploring whether medication could help, or if you need an official diagnosis, that's where to go.

These three types of support are not competing with each other. Many adults with ADHD benefit from a combination. You might work with a psychiatrist for medication, a therapist for processing the emotional toll of being undiagnosed into adulthood, and a coach for building the day-to-day systems that keep your professional and personal life on track. In Texas, therapy and psychiatry visits may be partially covered by insurance depending on your plan, while coaching generally is not. We will get into cost and workarounds further down.

The essential thing to understand about coaching is that it's forward-looking and tactical. You are not unpacking your childhood. You are building a concrete plan for how to stop losing track of projects, manage your energy across a packed week, and actually follow through on the goals you set.

What credentials should an ADHD coach actually have

One of the most important things to know about ADHD coaching is that the title is unregulated. Texas does not require any license or certification to call yourself an ADHD coach. There is no state board. No exam. No minimum training. Anyone can build a website, list ADHD coaching as a service, and start charging. In a metro area as large as DFW, that means the range in quality is enormous, and it's mostly invisible from the outside.

So how do you protect yourself?

PAAC certification is one of the strongest signals of quality. PAAC stands for the Professional Association of ADHD Coaches. Coaches who hold this certification have completed rigorous ADHD-specific training programs, logged supervised coaching hours, and demonstrated real competency in working with ADHD-related challenges. This is not a weekend workshop or an online certificate you can finish in an afternoon. It represents a significant investment in specialized education.

ICF credentials are another important indicator. The ICF, or International Coaching Federation, is the most widely recognized credentialing body in the coaching profession overall. An ICF-credentialed coach has completed extensive training hours, accumulated a minimum number of client coaching hours, and passed a formal evaluation. ICF credentials on their own do not guarantee ADHD expertise, but when you see them combined with ADHD-specific training, you're looking at someone who takes their practice seriously.

Lived experience with ADHD can make a coach more intuitive and empathetic. But lived experience without professional training and a structured methodology is not sufficient on its own. You want a coach who brings both personal understanding and evidence-based frameworks to the work.

Red flags worth noting:

• No specific credentials or training programs listed on their website

• The only stated qualification is personal experience with ADHD

• Promises of guaranteed outcomes, like curing procrastination or eliminating distractibility

• No mention of continuing education, supervision, or a defined coaching methodology

• An approach that sounds more like casual conversation than structured support

Questions to ask any coach you're evaluating:

• What ADHD-specific training have you completed, and through which program?

• Are you certified through PAAC, ICF, or another recognized body?

• Do you receive regular supervision or participate in peer consultation?

• What methodology or framework guides your coaching sessions?

• How do you track and measure client progress?

• What does support look like between sessions?

A qualified coach will welcome these questions. They have put real time and money into developing their expertise and will be glad to share the details. If someone gets vague or defensive when you ask about training, pay attention to that response.

Why does virtual coaching work well for ADHD in Dallas

The DFW metroplex creates a unique problem when it comes to finding local support. The region is so spread out that a coach in Plano could be 45 minutes or more from someone living in south Dallas, Oak Cliff, or Cedar Hill. Someone in Fort Worth might find a great coach listed as being in Dallas, only to discover they're based near Richardson. In a metro area that covers more ground than some states, proximity is almost meaningless as a way to choose a coach.

Virtual coaching removes that constraint entirely. You can work with your coach from your home office in Uptown, your desk in a Frisco corporate campus, or your kitchen table in Arlington. Sessions fit into the natural rhythm of your day. A 30-minute call over lunch or after the kids go to bed is a fundamentally different commitment than blocking out two hours for drive time plus a session across the metroplex.

But the bigger advantage has nothing to do with logistics. When geography is no longer a filter, you can match with a coach based on what actually matters: their expertise with your specific challenges, their coaching style, their experience with your industry or life stage. A coach who specializes in working with tech professionals managing ADHD might be a better fit than a generalist who happens to have an office ten miles from yours. Someone with deep experience helping entrepreneurs with executive function challenges might be exactly what you need, even if they're based in a completely different city.

Virtual coaching also makes it easier to stay consistent. Consistency is one of the hardest things to maintain when you have ADHD, and every logistical barrier, from traffic on 635 to finding parking downtown, becomes one more reason to reschedule. When your session is a video call you can take from wherever you are, the friction drops dramatically. You show up more often. The coaching relationship builds momentum. Progress compounds.

And if a particular coaching match turns out not to be the right fit, switching is simple. You're not restarting a geographic search or committing to another coach just because they're nearby. You match with someone else and keep moving forward.

What does a strong ADHD coaching methodology look like

Methodology is the difference between coaching that produces lasting change and coaching that feels like a nice conversation with no follow-through. From the outside, two coaches can have similar websites, similar pricing, and similar bios, but their approaches could be worlds apart.

Evidence-based frameworks form the backbone of quality ADHD coaching. One widely used model is the COM-B framework, which breaks behavior change into three components: Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation. Instead of generic advice like "just use a planner" or "try setting reminders," a coach using COM-B helps you figure out whether a particular challenge stems from a skill gap (capability), an environmental barrier (opportunity), or a drive issue (motivation), and then targets the actual root cause. Another evidence-based tool is implementation intentions, which are specific if/then plans that help bridge the gap between wanting to do something and following through. Rather than "I'll work on my project this week," an implementation intention looks like "When I sit down at my desk after my Monday standup, I will open the project document and write for 25 minutes before checking Slack."

Structured sessions versus open conversation is a major dividing line. In a structured approach, each session follows a framework. Your coach prepares. Goals carry over from previous sessions. Progress is tracked over time. You are building on a foundation rather than starting from scratch every week. Open-ended conversation can feel supportive in the moment, but without structure, it rarely leads to consistent behavior change.

Between-session support is critical and often overlooked. ADHD does not take a break between weekly coaching calls. New habits are fragile. Motivation fluctuates. Quality coaching includes some form of ongoing check-in or communication between sessions, whether through messaging, brief accountability touchpoints, or community access. That continuity is often what determines whether a new strategy actually becomes part of your routine.

Executive dysfunction-specific design is non-negotiable. Executive dysfunction refers to difficulties with the brain's management system: working memory, planning, task initiation, emotional regulation, and time awareness. Generic coaching techniques frequently assume a baseline level of executive function that people with ADHD do not consistently have. A methodology built for ADHD accounts for these realities and creates systems around them rather than ignoring them.

Peer community and shared learning add something that isolated one-on-one coaching cannot replicate. Connecting with other adults who face similar challenges creates accountability, normalizes the experience, and generates shared strategies. Hearing from someone in a similar professional situation that a particular approach worked for them carries a different weight than hearing it solely from a coach.

Ongoing coach supervision is something most people never think to ask about, but it matters. Coaches who practice in isolation with no external oversight can develop blind spots or drift into outdated techniques. Regular supervision means a qualified professional is reviewing their work, offering feedback, and holding them to a consistent standard of quality.

The frustrating part is that none of these distinctions are visible from a coach's website or directory listing. Two profiles can look nearly identical while representing vastly different levels of rigor. The only way to know is to ask the right questions, and now you know what those questions are.

How much does ADHD coaching typically cost

Cost is a real factor, and it helps to go in with clear expectations.

Nationally, individual ADHD coaching sessions range from about $150 to $300 per session. Monthly coaching arrangements, which usually include regular sessions plus some level of between-session support, tend to fall between $300 and $600 per month. Those ranges shift based on coach experience, credentials, session length, and frequency.

The instinct to find the cheapest option is understandable, especially when coaching is coming out of pocket. But cost and credential depth tend to correlate. Coaches who have invested thousands of dollars in ADHD-specific training, ICF certification, supervised hours, and continuing education typically charge more because their overhead is higher and their expertise is deeper. That does not mean the most expensive coach is automatically the best, but consistently gravitating toward the lowest price point can mean landing with someone who has minimal training.

Insurance generally does not cover ADHD coaching. Coaching is not classified as therapy or a medical service under most plans, and Texas does not currently mandate coaching coverage.

FSA and HSA accounts can often be used for coaching. If your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account, ADHD coaching may qualify as an eligible expense. This effectively lets you pay with pre-tax dollars, which can reduce your real cost by 20 to 30 percent depending on your tax bracket. Given the number of large employers in DFW that offer robust benefits packages, this is worth checking.

When thinking about cost, it helps to weigh it against the cost of continuing without support. Missed opportunities for promotion because you can't consistently deliver. Strained relationships from forgotten commitments. The mental and emotional toll of feeling like you are chronically underperforming despite knowing you're capable. Effective coaching pays for itself when it helps you show up reliably in the areas of your life that matter most.

How do you find and evaluate coaches in Dallas

With a clear understanding of what coaching is, what credentials matter, and what good methodology looks like, the practical search can begin. In a metro area the size of DFW, the process has some specific challenges.

Where to look:

The PAAC directory (Professional Association of ADHD Coaches) is the most targeted starting point. Every coach listed has met specific ADHD training requirements. The ICF directory is broader but useful for independently verifying credentials. North Texas CHADD, which is chapter 80n, covers the DFW region and offers support group meetings. CHADD stands for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. While CHADD itself does not provide coaching, attending a meeting or connecting with the community can be an excellent way to get firsthand recommendations from people who have worked with local coaches.

The DFW-specific challenge:

Because the metroplex is so large, directory searches for Dallas often return coaches spread across a 60-mile radius. Someone listed as a Dallas ADHD coach might actually be located in Denton, Garland, or Mansfield. Before scheduling a consultation, clarify whether they offer virtual sessions, because an in-person commitment across the metroplex could mean a 90-minute round trip depending on the day and the highways involved.

The vetting process:

Once you have a shortlist, review each coach's website and verify their credentials independently. Do not rely solely on what their site claims. Schedule consultation calls, which most coaches offer for free or at a reduced rate. Use that conversation to ask the credential and methodology questions outlined earlier in this guide.

During a consultation, pay attention to:

• Whether they ask about your specific challenges or jump straight into selling a package

• How clearly they can explain their methodology

• Whether they mention supervision, continuing education, or structured frameworks

• How comfortable and natural the communication feels

• Whether pricing, session structure, and expectations are transparent

When a match does not work out:

Nobody talks about this enough, but it happens. You go through the entire search process, commit to a coach, and after a few sessions, you realize the fit is off. Maybe their style does not click with how you process information. Maybe they lack depth in the specific area where you need the most support. Now you are back to the beginning. New search, new vetting calls, new financial outlay, new risk. For someone with ADHD, restarting that kind of open-ended research project can feel almost impossible.

Even with good directories and a thoughtful approach, the entire burden of research, vetting, and risk falls on you. That is a heavy lift for anyone, and it is an especially difficult one when the executive function challenges you are trying to get help with are the same ones making sustained research feel exhausting.

Why did we build Shimmer

Every frustration described above is the reason Shimmer exists. We built it because we have been through that same draining search ourselves and knew there had to be a better path.

The vetting problem is handled before you ever show up. Shimmer coaches go through a selection process with a 4% acceptance rate. Every coach holds ADHD-specific credentials, whether that is PAAC certification or equivalent specialized training. They are not hired and left unsupervised. Shimmer coaches receive ongoing supervision and continuing education, which means their practice is consistently held to a high standard. The methodology is grounded in behavioral science frameworks designed specifically for how ADHD brains work, and it is consistent across the platform.

Matching is built into the system. Instead of spending weeks combing through directories and hoping for the best, Shimmer matches you with a coach based on your specific needs, preferences, and goals. If the match is not right, you switch. There is no awkward conversation to navigate. No penalty. No restarting the search from zero. You simply match with someone new and continue building momentum. This alone is a fundamental shift from the traditional model where a bad fit means starting the entire process over.

The methodology extends beyond your weekly session. Shimmer's coaching approach is rooted in science-backed frameworks for behavior change and executive function support. Sessions are structured, goal-oriented, and connected from one to the next. But the support does not disappear between calls. Shimmer includes community access where you connect with other members working through similar challenges. That combination of expert one-on-one coaching and peer community creates a layer of accountability and learning that a single weekly session on its own cannot provide.

The financial risk is minimal. Shimmer offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Pricing is transparent and published upfront, so you know exactly what you are committing to before you start. Compare that to the traditional route where you might invest $300 in a first session with a coach you found through a directory listing, only to realize after two or three sessions that their approach does not match how your brain works, and then face the prospect of spending more to try again with someone else.

Virtual-first means every part of DFW is covered equally. Whether you are in downtown Dallas, a corporate campus in Plano, a home office in Frisco, or across the metroplex in Fort Worth, you get the same quality of coaching without geography being a factor. No navigating 635 or the Tollway. No rearranging your afternoon around a cross-city drive. Just consistent, expert support that fits into your life where it already is.

Shimmer's coaches work with professionals across every industry represented in the DFW economy. Software engineers managing the cognitive load of complex codebases. Finance professionals trying to stay on top of detail-heavy workflows. Entrepreneurs juggling ten priorities with limited structure. Corporate managers balancing team leadership with their own executive function challenges. The matching process accounts for these differences so you work with someone who understands your specific professional context.

Members regularly describe the difference as night and day compared to previous coaching experiences. The structured methodology, the ongoing accountability between sessions, and the ability to switch coaches without friction combine to create something that works with ADHD instead of requiring you to muscle through a broken process.

How do you get started with ADHD coaching

Taking the first step can feel like a big decision, and that is completely normal. If you have been researching ADHD coaching for weeks or months without pulling the trigger, you are in good company. That kind of decision paralysis is one of the most common ADHD patterns, and there is a certain irony in the fact that the challenges you need help with are the same ones making it hard to seek help.

Getting started is simpler than the research process might suggest. You sign up, get matched with a coach, and have your first session. That initial conversation is about your coach getting to know you: your goals, your challenges, what you have already tried, and where you want to focus. You do not need to show up with a polished list of objectives or a detailed history of your ADHD journey. Your coach is trained to guide that conversation and help you figure out where to begin.

The first few sessions are about building a foundation. You and your coach will identify what matters most to you right now and start developing strategies tailored to the way your brain works. Expect it to feel exploratory early on. You are testing approaches, discovering what sticks, and building trust with someone who is going to be in your corner.

Set realistic expectations. Coaching is not an instant fix. You will not walk out of your first session with every executive function challenge resolved. What you will have is a structured starting point, a knowledgeable partner who understands ADHD deeply, and a framework for making steady progress. Most members start noticing meaningful shifts within the first few weeks as new strategies take hold and small wins begin to stack up.

If you are ready to stop cycling through research tabs and start working with a vetted, expert ADHD coach who genuinely understands how your brain works, Shimmer is a good place to begin.