About Me
Personal Story
Tricia Delaney
My journey to becoming an ADHD Life Coach began when my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD as a teen, soon to be followed by the same diagnosis for my son. As a parent, for so many years I had been confused, stressed, overwhelmed and exhausted and didn’t know where to turn. I had tried parenting programs designed for neurotypical kids that created more stress in the home. Nothing worked, nothing made sense. I felt like I had failed parenting. As a partner of someone affected by ADHD I had been confused and ignorant of the challenges my partner faced.
Once I learned ADHD was a part of our family, I searched for help. Access to suitably qualified professionals that really understand ADHD is very limited in Australia and there are long waiting lists. Eventually, my search led me to an ADHD Life Coach and it was life changing. I received individual coaching and also attended a group for parents whose children had ADHD. For the first time, I felt accepted and understood as a parent. I was with others who understood the struggle and didn’t judge me as a bad parent or my children as badly behaved.
I learnt about ADHD and how it affected my children’s ability to operate like their neurotypical peers. I learnt how their brains work differently and uniquely. I learnt strategies to better support my children in ways that supported their unique way of being. I learnt to focus on their strengths, talents and individual progress and achievements rather than focusing on what they weren’t achieving at the same time as neurotypical peers.
I learnt how important it was to focus on my relationship with them, to support them, to listen to them and learn from them. Our relationships were strengthened and now remain stronger due to this support and learning from my ADHD Life Coach. I was so grateful for the insight, support and hope for the future that I received. I knew that one day I wanted to help others in the same way. And this is what led me down this path to become an ADHD Life Coach.
Professional Experience
I trained as an ADHD Life Coach through the iACT Centre (International ADHD Coach Training Center) which is approved by the International Coach Federation (ICF). This training provided advanced education about the “why’s” underneath the ADHD experience, behavior, and symptoms. This enables coaches to confidently coach persons of all ages and stages living with ADHD, providing hope and support so that they can truly thrive and be excited to be living their purpose. I am currently working towards the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Credential through the ICF.
I have a background in nursing and social work and am an accredited member of the Australian Association of Social Workers. I have worked in home based palliative care for 15 years, both in direct client work and as a team leader, providing clinical support to the interdisciplinary team and clinical supervision for staff. I have experience in supporting clients and families to make informed choices about their needs and goals through the provision of information in regards to resources and support options.
This has included counseling for client and family members in relation to adjustment to the diagnosis, changes in health, physical capacity, identity and sense of self, loss of roles in the family and community, financial stress, family conflict and fear of death and dying. Counselling supports the expression and processing of emotional, psychological and spiritual issues arising in this space. My work has also included providing bereavement counseling and facilitating bereavement support groups. My direct work with clients is heavily influenced by a strengths-based and trauma informed approach, CBT and narrative therapy.
My professional practice is guided by the ICF Code of Ethics and Professional Standards and the Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) Ethics and Practice Standards. I am a member of the AAADHDIG (Australian Adult ADHD Interest Group).