Alex Bellitter: Coaching vs. therapy for ADHD

Episode 208 with Alex Bellitter“People can feel like, ‘I don’t think this is an internal thing I’m trying to work through. I feel like I’m trying to navigate my environment, and I don’t have the tools, education, and resources to do it.’”Alex is the Senior Manager of Coaching at Shimmer, an ADHD community and coaching platform that’s redefining what support can look like for ADHD brains.Alex does not have ADHD herself, but she’s spent years working with neurodivergent kids, adults, and now leading a team of over 50 ADHD coaches at Shimmer. She brings a background in coaching psychology, clinical psychology, and health and wellness to her work, and she’s passionate about delivering strengths‑based, evidence‑informed support that actually feels good to ADHDers.In this conversation, we talk about:What coaching psychology is and why it’s such a powerful fit for ADHDThe difference between therapy, coaching, and “healing” work, and how they can complement each otherWhy so many of us are misdiagnosed with depression first and how overwhelm, executive dysfunction, and chronic frustration can get mislabeledThe ebb and flow of ADHD symptoms across the lifespan, hormones, menopause, grief, and “temporary neurodivergence”How Shimmer structures its coaching, body doubling, community, and AI tools to be genuinely ADHD‑friendly and shame‑freeThe promises and risks of AI for neurodivergent people — and what “good guardrails” actually look likeIf you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “struggling enough” to count, questioned what’s “normal,” or felt confused about where ADHD ends, and environment, hormones, and capitalism begin … this episode is for you.Website: linkedin.com/in/abellitterInstagram: @shimmer.careLinks & Resources:Shimmer.careEpisode 191 with Christal Wang- - - - - Episode edited by E Podcast ProductionsFind the transcript of this episode at www.womenandadhd.com/transcripts- - - - -Women & ADHD coaching: www.womenandadhd.com/coaching- - - - -Work 1-on-1 with Katy: www.womenandadhd.com/katy- - - - -Order the “Hey, it’s ADHD!” course: www.womenandadhd.com/adhdcourse- - - - -Did you love this episode? Click here to pledge a one-time donation to the podcast!- - - - -If you are a woman who was diagnosed with ADHD and you’d like to apply to be a guest on this podcast, visit womenandadhd.com/podcastguest.Instagram: @womenandadhdpodcastTiktok: @womenandadhdpodcastTwitter: @womenandadhdFacebook: @womenandadhdAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy