ADHD Coach Scam

[breezebay]

For those of you who have tried or are working with an ADHD coach, are you charged in block sessions upfront? I decided to hire a coach for help with my child and possibly me as well but this coach is so expensive I wanted to focus on my kid first. I went to see this coach twice (at almost $200 an hour) before making the decision that I would no longer see them. I had no new strategies. Not one. But then I realize she charged me upfront for 4 sessions! When I asked for my money back (for the two unused sessions) and stated I had no idea she was going to charge me this way, she responded with "I told you that over the phone and you also signed an agreement saying I don't give refunds". Yet NOWHERE on our agreement or the website is it stated that they charge in blocks of 4. The response included "It is the industry standard". How would I know that? And let's pretend they did tell me ( I never would have hired the coach if I had heard them say those words), they KNOW their clientele has ADHD and a classic symptom is missing information in conversations! To me, that seems inexcusable to not put something that important in writing. This just doesn't seem on the up and up to me. But before I send them my last email asking for the third time to give me my money back, I wanted to make sure I'm not missing something. Is this industry standard to charge upfront for 4 sessions?

Thank you so much for your time.

[BLC89]

Hello breezebay

I am so sorry that happened to you and it sounds like the coach is more concerned with money than their clients - that is not how it is supposed to be. I am an ADHD Parent coach and am not aware of any "industry" standard.

My suggestion is to leave a review on google, yelp, ADDitude, CHADD, and anywhere else you can find. That is not how people should be treated and they don't have any right to keep your funds if it is not, in fact, in writing. I know I just added to your to do list, which is a fan favorite for ADHD, but it sounds like action is needed.

If you have a lawyer friend you could have the coach shoot them a letter on lawyer letterhead requesting the refund.

I don't want the coaching profession represented by coaches like this. Again, I am so sorry you are experiencing this.

BLC89

disclosure: I am an ADHD Parent Coach & I have raised two kids with ADHD and have been married to ADHD for nearly 30 years

[maddie57]

I, too, am sorry this is happening to you. I have been a credentialed ADHD Coach for 20+ years. While it may not be an industry standard, in my experience this is the general practice - the client is the priority; however, the coach is running a business.

To avoid this type of problem: typically there is a complimentary session between a coach and potential client to determine if there’s a good fit. Aspects of the contract should be discussed then, including number of sessions - that varies, but the point is to allow sufficient time to set goals, experiment with strategies, and build accountability. During the intake session (before the regular sessions begin), there definitely should be an in-depth conversation about expectations and the roles of both the coach and client (oral and written, aside from the contract).

Aside from all the “should’s”, and though there is also a no refund policy in my contracts, there have been times when I have issued refunds if the client feels the process isn’t working. (But I would also try to have a discussion about the disconnect, to determine if a different approach might help the client).

Good luck!

[funpuzzles]

Not industry standard as far as our experience. I’m a parent, not a coach. We’ve worked with 2 coaches and neither of them charged in advance. We get a monthly invoice at the end of the month only for the sessions we actually had.

[kittyherder]

if you paid on a credit card, file a chargeback. If you paid on debit card, file a dispute. Hold them to the letter of the *written* agreement.

[WYMom]

Ive not hired an ADHD coach but I did have a job coach. I was charged for 6 sessions up front and it was very clear to me that was going to happen. 4 sessions sounds reasonable to me.

[STEM_Dad]

I went through a 10-week coaching program, and all the details were spelled out in advance...the total cost and the payment options on the website. Both of those pieces of information and the refund stipulations were presented in the information meeting before committing to the program, and in the written materials.

That coaching program made the costs and payment options very clear.

It was about $3000 for 10 weeks, which I ordinarily can't afford, but at that point in time I could. Lots of great information, and a good program, but as far as I know it's only for adults with ADHD... it's a bit pricey, and a significant time commitment.

Since it was designed by ADHD coaches who have ADHD themselves, a lot of effort was made to ensure the participants had all the information necessary to make a commitment.