Therapeutic Coaching or Counselling: which should I choose?

There are a few key differences between these services to consider when you are seeking personal support. The importance of the strength of the  therapeutic / coaching alliance (or, finding a ‘good fit’ professional relationship for you) is fundamental to your success. At The Divergent Edge we provide additional details in the staff bios to assist you to choose who you may prefer to work with.

Therapeutic ADHD Coaching – defined

Therapeutic ADHD Coaching is a service unique to The Divergent Edge. You will find other services offering either ADHD Coaching, or Counselling – but you won’t find other services who have purposely developed a hybrid model which combines elements of both, which are tailored specifically to the needs of each client.

Therapeutic = therapy / counselling, reflects on your past experiences and assists you to gain clarity of self and an evolution of personal identity by reframing your experiences through a neurodivergent lens.

Coaching = a goal directed intervention which helps a person change and adapt in the here and now. A thought-provoking and creative approach that is worked in partnership to achieve meaningful, person centred outcomes.

Our Therapeutic Coaches have a variety of professional backgrounds which allow them to purposefully integrate a person centred therapeutic relationship with coaching strategies to support you to refine your goals, enhance your self knowledge and enhance a positive self-identity. Reviewing the team’s bios will give you insight into their professional qualifications and passions and will assist you to choose the therapist you feel is the best fit for you. If you’re still not sure please contact reception who can assist you with who may be the best match.

Therapeutic Coaches can assist with:

• Developing self awareness as a neurodivergent adult and how to harness the benefits and strengths of your brain
• Growing skills to improve communication, and change unhelpful behaviours.
• Identify unhelpful thoughts and feelings which drive these behaviours and their outcomes
• Understanding your triggers for overwhelm and making holistic changes to manage your life with less stress and pressure
• Psychoeducation about ADHD and how it has been affecting your life experiences
• Practical strategies to improve executive function, ADHD ‘life hacks’ to get your organised, reduce overwhelm and feel in control
• Improving the quality of intimate relationships either through individual or couples work
• Life in a chaotic multi-neurodivergent household
• Making your ADHD work for you in your career
• Understanding ADHD burnout and putting prevention strategies in place
• Juggling the demands of work, parenting, relationships, personal life admin, and still finding time for yourself
• In depth self understanding as a 2e adult and how to live with the double blessings and complexities of being gifted + neurodivergent
• Improving your confidence, harnessing yourNeurodivergent Edge and letting go of unrealistic expectations that you feel you SHOULD be able to manage, but can’t  

Counselling (Neurodivergent affirming) – defined

Individual counselling at The Divergent Edge is delivered by our practitioner who is eligible to provide services via Medicare as an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. This is a similar service type you would receive by seeing a Registered Psychologist.

At The Divergent Edge, our counselling provides a neurodivergent affirming intervention which integrates approaches such as CBT, ACT, mindfulness, interpersonal therapy, motivational interviewing, anger management, and behavioural interventions adapted to the needs of neurodivergent brains. Many of our clients arrive feeling they have previously ‘failed’ at therapy delivered through traditional means, without the knowledge or awareness of how being neurodivergent requires a specific adaptation of these approaches to be meaningful.

This service does not integrate ADHD coaching; it is a counselling based intervention, but it will integrate practical strategies specific to your ADHD presentation.

Counselling via Medicare on a GP referral is to be considered for prospective clients who have some mental health challenges they wish to address in addition to a new or existing ADHD diagnosis, such as:

• A history of PTSD, or CPTSD
• Significant difficulties with anxiety, depression or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• An eating disorder
• Substance abuse issues or other addictive behaviours
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic mood dysregulation or a diagnosed personality disorder

Can I claim through Medicare?
If you book with one of our Mental Health Social Workers, Emma Mitchell or Nicole Musialik you can claim the Medicare rebate if you have a valid Mental health treatment Plan and referral from your GP.  The rebate is $79.05

Can I claim through my Private Health Fund?
People with Private Health Insurance with extras cover may be able to claim benefits for counselling and psychotherapy services. Clients will need to check with their health fund as to whether they are eligible for rebates.

Funds only providing cover under psychology usually only provide rebates for services provided by registered psychologists. Some funds provide rebates for psychological counselling provided by mental health social workers and accredited counsellors.