Professional Development

Professional development for coaches is not just a credential requirement. Regular supervision, peer learning, and continued study help you stay grounded in your practice, catch blind spots, and keep your work with clients effective. Many insurers and directories also require evidence of ongoing CPD as a condition of cover or listing.

Coaching supervision is a structured process in which you reflect on your coaching practice with an experienced supervisor. It is different from mentoring or therapy. Supervision supports your professional development and helps you manage the emotional demands of coaching.

Mentoring from a more experienced ADHD coach can be valuable, particularly in your first year of practice. Some training providers offer mentoring programmes as part of or alongside their courses. Peer coaching — swapping sessions with a coach at a similar stage — gives you both practice hours and an outside perspective on your work. It can also count towards some accreditation requirements, though check the specific rules for your credential pathway.

If you hold or are working towards an ICF credential, you will need to complete Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours to renew it. CCE hours must come from ICF-approved providers. The ICF website lists approved programmes. PAAC membership and events may also contribute towards CPD requirements depending on your credential pathway — check current ICF guidance directly.

Membership of a professional organisation can provide access to resources, professional communities, networking, education and ongoing development.
Membership is separate from professional credentialing — being a member does not mean that you hold a professional credential

These are explained here to ensure that logos and acronyms are understood and to reduce confusion.  When you start your career you will hear different ones talked about or you see them on websites.

• ACO – ADHD Coaches Organization: A global professional membership organisation for ADHD coaches.
• CHADD – Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A US-based ADHD education, advocacy and support organisation.
• ICF – International Coaching Federation: A global professional membership organisation for coaches. Membership does not mean that you hold an ICF coaching credential. ICF’s professional credentials include ACC, PCC and MCC.
• Association for Coaching (AC): An international professional membership organisation for coaches. Membership options vary according to experience and include an Associate Membership option.

For accreditation:

• Association for Coaching (AC): An international professional coaching organisation that accredits coach-training programmes. It is not ADHD-specific.