Denver has added tens of thousands of new residents over the last several years, and most of them came from somewhere else. If you're searching for an ADHD coach along the Front Range, you're probably discovering what many transplants discover about this city: the support infrastructure hasn't scaled with the population. You type "ADHD coach Denver" into a search engine and get a handful of results blending actual ADHD specialists, general life coaches, therapists who mention coaching on their websites, and wellness practitioners who seem to offer everything from breathwork to business strategy.

Now multiply that confusion by Denver's geography. The metro stretches from Lakewood to Aurora, from Centennial up through Westminster and beyond, with Boulder sitting just 30 miles northwest and Colorado Springs an hour south. A coach listing themselves as "Denver-based" could be anywhere along that corridor. And because so many people here are relatively new to the area, the usual shortcut of asking friends or coworkers for a referral produces mostly shrugs. Your neighbor moved here from Portland two years ago. Your coworker relocated from Austin last spring. Nobody has deep roots in the local healthcare ecosystem yet.

There's also something about Denver's culture that complicates the search in a specific way. This is a city that runs, bikes, hikes, and skis. Physical activity is woven into daily life here, and for many of us with ADHD, that movement genuinely helps with focus and regulation. But it can also create an assumption that being active and getting outside is enough, that the mountains and the 300 days of sunshine should be all the brain support you need. When that clearly isn't the case, figuring out what kind of professional help to look for can feel unclear.

This guide breaks down the difference between coaching, therapy, and psychiatry, explains what credentials matter, walks through how to evaluate methodology, and covers cost and logistics specific to the Denver metro. By the end, you'll have a clear framework for finding an ADHD coach who can actually help.

What is the difference between ADHD coaching, therapy, and psychiatry

Before you start comparing specific coaches in Denver, it helps to understand what coaching actually is and how it fits alongside the other types of ADHD support. These three get mixed together constantly, and the confusion matters because choosing the wrong type of support for your current needs wastes both time and money.

ADHD coaching is a forward-facing, action-oriented partnership. Your coach works with you to build systems, routines, and strategies that help you get things done in the areas that matter most to you. The focus stays on the present and future. What's not working in your week? What keeps falling through the cracks? What do you actually want to accomplish, and what gets in the way? A good ADHD coach helps you develop approaches built around how your brain works rather than forcing neurotypical patterns (the term for non-ADHD ways of operating) onto your schedule. Coaching is practical. It's about habits, structures, and real outcomes.

Therapy addresses the emotional and psychological layers. A therapist helps you process difficult experiences, work through anxiety or depression (both of which show up alongside ADHD at high rates), and understand the emotional patterns that influence your behavior. If you spent years undiagnosed or were told you were lazy, careless, or not living up to your potential, therapy is where you unpack that damage. But therapy on its own doesn't always hand you the concrete, tactical tools for managing executive dysfunction day to day. Executive dysfunction is the difficulty with planning, starting, organizing, and completing tasks that sits at the center of the ADHD experience.

Psychiatry covers the medical dimension. A psychiatrist can formally diagnose ADHD, prescribe and manage medication, and monitor how treatment is working over time. If you're considering medication or haven't been formally evaluated, psychiatry is where that process starts. Colorado has seen increased demand for psychiatric services, and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus runs clinical programs that serve the Front Range, though wait times for new patients can stretch out.

These three types of support aren't mutually exclusive. Many adults with ADHD benefit from a combination of all three: a psychiatrist for medication, a therapist for emotional processing, and a coach for the practical day-to-day systems that keep work, relationships, and personal goals moving forward. In Colorado, therapy and psychiatry may be partially covered by insurance depending on your plan. Coaching typically falls outside insurance coverage, though there are ways to manage that cost covered later in this guide.

The key distinction with coaching is that it's built around action. You're not analyzing the past. You're building systems for your actual life, starting now.

What credentials should an ADHD coach actually have

This is the part of the search where the ground gets shaky, because there is no regulation protecting the title "ADHD coach." Colorado, like every other state, does not require a license to practice coaching. There's no board exam, no state oversight, no minimum education requirement. Someone could set up a website today, call themselves an ADHD coach, and start charging $250 a session by next week. In a fast-growing market like Denver, where demand for mental health and wellness services keeps climbing alongside the population, that lack of regulation creates a real problem for consumers trying to make an informed choice.

So how do you figure out who's actually qualified?

PAAC certification (Professional Association of ADHD Coaches) is one of the strongest credentials in this space. Coaches who earn PAAC certification have completed ADHD-specific training programs with rigorous standards, logged supervised coaching hours, and demonstrated real skill in addressing ADHD-related challenges. This isn't a weekend workshop. It represents hundreds of hours of specialized education and mentored practice.

ICF credentials (International Coaching Federation) represent the gold standard for the coaching profession broadly. An ICF-credentialed coach has completed significant training hours, worked with real clients under supervision, and passed a formal competency evaluation. ICF credentials alone don't guarantee ADHD expertise, but combined with ADHD-specific training, they signal a serious, committed professional. The NBC-HWC (National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching) credential is another legitimate marker, particularly for coaches who integrate health and wellness dimensions into their ADHD work, something that resonates in Denver's health-conscious culture.

What about lived experience? Having ADHD yourself can make you a more intuitive, empathetic coach. Many excellent ADHD coaches are themselves neurodivergent. But personal experience without formal training and a structured methodology does not qualify someone to coach others professionally. The strongest coaches combine genuine understanding of the ADHD experience with evidence-based frameworks and professional accountability.

Red flags to watch for:

• No credentials or training listed on their website

• The only stated qualification is personal experience with ADHD

• Guarantees of specific outcomes like "eliminate procrastination in 30 days"

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

• Sessions described as casual conversation with no clear structure

• Overreliance on wellness trends without clinical grounding

Questions worth asking any coach you're considering:

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

• Do you hold certification through PAAC, ICF, or another recognized body?

• Are you engaged in regular supervision or peer consultation?

• What methodology or framework guides your coaching sessions?

• How do you track and measure client progress over time?

• What kind of support exists between sessions?

A qualified coach will welcome these questions. They've invested serious time and money into their training, and they understand why verification matters. If someone gets defensive or evasive when you ask about credentials, that reaction tells you what you need to know.

Why does virtual coaching make so much sense along the Front Range

Denver's geography makes a strong case for virtual coaching, and it goes beyond just the physical distance between neighborhoods. The metro area stretches across a wide corridor, with Aurora to the east, Lakewood and Golden to the west, and the broader Front Range communities of Boulder, Longmont, and Colorado Springs within what many people consider the Denver orbit. A coach who lists a Denver address could be practicing in the Tech Center, in LoHi, or out near DIA. Your commute to a session depends entirely on which direction you're headed and whether I-25 or I-70 decides to cooperate that day.

Beyond logistics, virtual coaching opens up access to specialization in a way that a local-only search can't. When you limit your options to coaches physically located in the Denver metro, you're choosing from whoever happens to practice nearby. When geography is removed from the equation, you can match based on the factors that actually determine coaching effectiveness: expertise in your specific challenges, familiarity with your industry, a coaching style that fits your personality, and experience with your life stage. A coach in another state who specializes in ADHD for entrepreneurs might serve you far better than a local generalist who splits their time between ADHD coaching, career consulting, and executive leadership training.

Scheduling flexibility is another meaningful benefit. Denver's outdoor culture means many people structure their weeks around time outside, whether that's a lunchtime run, an after-work bike ride, or a weekend in the mountains. Virtual coaching lets you fit sessions into your schedule without blocking extra time for driving. A 30-minute session between meetings, or a call after your morning trail run, becomes a realistic weekly habit instead of a logistical project.

Switching coaches is also simpler when location isn't a factor. If a coaching relationship isn't producing results after a reasonable stretch, you try someone new without starting a fresh geographic search. That flexibility matters because finding the right fit sometimes takes more than one attempt, and restarting shouldn't feel like climbing a fourteener.

What does quality ADHD coaching methodology actually look like

Methodology is where the real gap between effective coaching and expensive conversation becomes visible. Two coaches can carry similar credentials and charge similar rates, but one uses a rigorous evidence-based approach while the other improvises each session based on whatever you bring up that week.

Evidence-based frameworks anchor quality coaching. One well-supported approach is the COM-B model, which identifies Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation as the three factors that drive Behavior change. Rather than generic advice like "just use a planner" or "try setting alarms," a coach using this framework helps you identify whether a challenge is rooted in skill gaps (you don't know how), environmental barriers (your setup works against you), or motivational disconnects (the drive isn't connecting to the task). The strategy changes depending on which barrier is actually in play.

Implementation intentions are another research-backed tool. These are specific if/then plans that bridge the gap between wanting to do something and actually doing it. Instead of a vague commitment like "I'll get more organized this month," an implementation intention sounds like "When I get home from work and set my bag down, I'll immediately spend five minutes sorting the mail before I sit on the couch." That specificity matters enormously for ADHD brains that struggle with task initiation.

Structured sessions versus open-ended conversation is a critical distinction. Structured coaching means each session follows a framework, goals are tracked over time, your coach comes prepared, and every meeting connects to the last one. You're building something cumulative rather than starting from zero each week. Progress compounds.

Between-session support matters enormously for people with ADHD. A weekly coaching session is valuable, but ADHD doesn't pause for six days between appointments. Quality coaching includes some form of ongoing connection: check-in messages, digital tools, or community access. That continuity helps new strategies stick instead of fading by Wednesday. Denver's active lifestyle culture can actually work in your favor here, as coaches who understand ADHD often encourage integrating movement and outdoor time as between-session strategies, which aligns naturally with how many Front Range residents already structure their weeks.

Executive dysfunction-specific approaches are non-negotiable. Generic coaching techniques tend to assume a baseline level of executive function that people with ADHD don't reliably have. A methodology built for ADHD accounts for working memory challenges (holding information in mind while using it), time blindness (difficulty sensing how much time has passed or estimating how long things take), task initiation struggles, and the emotional weight that comes with years of inconsistent follow-through. Systems are designed around these realities rather than pretending they don't exist.

Community and peer support brings something that isolated one-on-one coaching cannot. Connecting with other adults navigating similar challenges creates shared accountability, a sense of normalcy, and practical learning. Hearing someone in a comparable situation describe a strategy that worked for them carries weight that a coach's recommendation alone might not.

Coach supervision and ongoing training is something most people never think to ask about. Coaches who practice in complete isolation with no professional oversight can develop blind spots or drift into outdated techniques. Regular supervision means a qualified professional is reviewing their work, providing feedback, and maintaining quality standards. The problem is that none of this is visible from the outside. Two coaching websites can look nearly identical while representing vastly different levels of rigor behind the scenes.

How much does ADHD coaching cost in the Denver area

Cost matters, and it deserves a direct conversation.

Nationally, individual ADHD coaching sessions typically range from $150 to $300 per session. Monthly coaching packages fall between $300 and $600 per month depending on session frequency, length, and coach experience. Denver sits in a moderate-to-high range. The cost of living here has climbed sharply over the past decade, and coaching rates reflect that, though prices remain lower than San Francisco, Seattle, or New York. Experienced, credentialed ADHD coaches in the Denver metro tend to charge toward the upper half of the national range.

The temptation is always to find the cheapest option. Budgets are real, and nobody should pretend otherwise. But the least expensive coaches tend to be the newest and least credentialed, often with less structured approaches. That pattern exists because coaches who've invested thousands in ADHD-specific training, ICF certification, and ongoing supervision carry higher overhead and bring deeper expertise to the table.

Insurance generally does not cover ADHD coaching. This is true in Colorado and across most states. Coaching is classified differently from therapy and doesn't fall under medical service coverage from insurance providers.

FSA and HSA funds may apply. If your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account, ADHD coaching may qualify as an eligible expense. Paying with pre-tax dollars effectively reduces your actual cost by 20 to 30 percent depending on your tax bracket. Check with your plan administrator, because this can make a meaningful difference.

When weighing cost, consider the other side of the equation. Missed career opportunities because you can't consistently deliver. Relationships straining under forgotten commitments. The compounding weight of feeling like you're operating below your actual capability. Projects started and abandoned. Promotions delayed. Denver's competitive job market, especially in the growing tech and aerospace sectors, doesn't leave a lot of room for inconsistent performance. Effective coaching that helps you show up reliably in the areas that matter most pays for itself many times over.

How do you find and vet ADHD coaches in Denver

The practical search process in Denver has its own set of challenges. The coaching market along the Front Range is growing but still catching up to demand, and the tools available for finding qualified coaches are limited.

Where to start your search:

The PAAC directory (Professional Association of ADHD Coaches) is the most targeted resource available. Every coach listed has met specific ADHD training standards. The ICF directory covers the broader coaching profession and is useful for independently verifying credentials. CHADD of Colorado covers the greater Denver-Boulder-Colorado Springs corridor, offering support group meetings and educational programs. Unlike some cities that lack a CHADD presence entirely, Colorado's chapter is one of the more active in the Mountain West. Attending a CHADD meeting or connecting with the community there can surface recommendations and word-of-mouth referrals that don't show up in directory searches. That said, CHADD is primarily a support and education organization, not a coaching referral service, so it's a starting point rather than a complete solution.

The CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora runs ADHD clinical and research programs. While they focus on clinical services rather than coaching, providers there may be able to point you toward qualified coaches in the area.

The vetting process:

Once you have a shortlist, the real work begins. Review each coach's website carefully. Verify their credentials independently rather than relying on self-reported claims. Schedule consultation calls. Most coaches offer a free or low-cost introductory conversation. Use that time to ask the credential and methodology questions outlined earlier.

During a consultation, pay attention to:

• Whether they ask about your specific situation or jump straight to describing their program

• How clearly they explain their methodology when you ask

• Whether they mention supervision, peer consultation, or continuing education

• How natural and comfortable the conversation feels

• Whether pricing, session structure, and expectations are transparent from the start

When the first match doesn't work:

This part rarely gets discussed. You might spend meaningful time researching, vetting, and committing to a coach, then realize after a few sessions that the fit isn't right. Maybe the chemistry is off, or the approach doesn't resonate, or scheduling becomes a recurring problem. Then you're back at the beginning. New search, new consultations, new financial outlay to try again. In a market where qualified options are already limited, restarting that process is particularly draining. For someone dealing with the exact executive function challenges that coaching is supposed to address, the irony of needing strong executive function just to find a coach is not lost on any of us.

Why did we build Shimmer

Every frustration outlined in this guide is precisely why Shimmer exists. We built it because we've been through the same exhausting search process, and we knew there had to be a better way to connect adults with ADHD to coaching that actually works.

The vetting is already done before you ever show up. Shimmer's coaches go through a selection process with a 4% acceptance rate. Every coach holds ADHD-specific credentials, whether that's PAAC certification or equivalent specialized training. And hiring is just the beginning. Shimmer coaches receive ongoing supervision and continuing education to keep their skills sharp and their methodology current. The consistency is built into the system rather than depending on each individual coach to maintain their own standards in isolation.

Matching is built into the experience. Instead of spending weeks sifting through directories and scheduling consultation calls while your executive function protests the entire time, Shimmer matches you with a coach based on your specific needs, goals, and preferences. If the match isn't right, you switch to a different coach with no awkward conversation, no financial penalty, and no starting over from scratch. You simply match with someone new and continue where you left off. Compare that to the traditional model where trying a different coach means restarting the entire search.

The methodology extends far beyond a weekly call. Shimmer's approach is grounded in science-backed frameworks for behavior change and executive function support. Sessions are structured, goal-oriented, and connected from one to the next. But support also continues between sessions. Shimmer includes community access where you connect with other members working through similar challenges. That combination of expert one-on-one coaching and active peer community creates a level of accountability and support that a single weekly session on its own simply can't match.

The financial risk is minimal. Shimmer offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with transparent, straightforward pricing. You know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before you commit. Compare that to the traditional approach where you might spend $300 on a single introductory session with a coach from a Google search, then realize after a few more sessions that their style doesn't align with how your brain operates.

Virtual-first means the entire Front Range is covered equally. Whether you're in LoDo, Aurora, Lakewood, Boulder, or down in Colorado Springs, the experience is the same. No fighting I-25 traffic to get across town. No limiting yourself to coaches within a 20-minute drive. Consistent, expert support from wherever you are.

Shimmer's coaches work with adults across every industry and background represented along the Front Range. Tech professionals navigating the growing Silicon Mountain startup scene. Aerospace and defense workers at Buckley Space Force Base or the many contractors along the corridor. Healthcare professionals managing complex schedules. Entrepreneurs building businesses while their own ADHD goes unmanaged. Remote workers who relocated to Denver for the lifestyle but struggle with structure when the boundary between work and home disappears. The matching process accounts for these differences so you work with someone who genuinely understands your context.

Denver is full of people who moved here from somewhere else, often leaving behind the referral networks and established relationships that help you find quality care. Shimmer bridges that gap. You don't need to have lived here for a decade or know the right people. You just need to sign up.

How do you take the first step toward ADHD coaching

Deciding to start coaching can feel like a big commitment, and that hesitation is completely understandable. If you've been reading about ADHD coaching for weeks or months without actually starting, you're in good company. The decision paralysis around getting help for the very thing that causes decision paralysis is one of the most frustrating loops in the ADHD experience.

Getting started with Shimmer is straightforward. You sign up, get matched with a coach, and schedule your first session. That initial conversation is about your coach getting to know you: your goals, your challenges, your daily life, and what you've already tried. You don't need a perfect list of priorities or a detailed personal history prepared beforehand. Your coach is trained to guide that conversation and help you figure out where to focus first.

The early sessions build a foundation. You and your coach will identify what matters most to you right now and begin developing strategies designed around how your brain actually works. Expect it to feel exploratory at the start. You're testing approaches, seeing what sticks, and building a relationship with someone who is genuinely in your corner.

Set realistic expectations. Coaching is not an overnight transformation. Your first session won't resolve every executive function challenge you face. What it will give you is a structured starting point, a coach who understands ADHD deeply, and a framework for making steady, measurable progress. Most members begin noticing meaningful shifts within the first few weeks as new habits and systems start gaining traction.

Denver's altitude, sunshine, and outdoor culture can become genuine assets in your ADHD management when paired with the right coaching support. Movement, routine, and environment all play roles that a good coach will help you leverage intentionally rather than leaving it to chance.

If you're ready to stop researching and start working with a vetted, expert ADHD coach who actually understands how your brain works, Shimmer is a good place to begin.