Neurodivergence in Coaching: Why the Industry Needs to Evolve
by Surya Johnson
Let’s be real. Coaching, as it stands today, was not built with neurodivergent people in mind. The traditional models of coaching education, the rigid structures, the overemphasis on frameworks that assume linear thinking. It all screams "designed for neurotypicals." And if you’ve ever sat in a coaching course, feeling like the odd one out, wondering why no one is talking about how our brains work, then you’re exactly who I’m calling in.
I’ve navigated this industry with an ADHD brain, constantly questioning why coaching education doesn’t reflect the way many of us actually process, learn, and communicate. And honestly? I’m done pretending the current system works for everyone.
The Coaching Industry's Neurotypical Bias
The coaching industry loves structure. It loves "best practices", "step-by-step frameworks", and "this is how you coach the right way" models. But here’s the problem… those systems often cater to a specific kind of thinker. If your brain doesn’t function in a perfectly linear way, if you process information in layers instead of straight lines, or if you have a highly intuitive, pattern-seeking mind, then those rigid structures might feel confining instead of empowering.
Let’s talk about ICF coaching competencies for a second. Do they hold value? Absolutely. But the way they are taught often assumes a neurotypical way of learning, absorbing, and regurgitating information. The competency assessments? Written in ways that make sense to people who thrive in standardized test environments—but not necessarily to the fast-processing, deeply intuitive, or nonlinear thinkers among us.
Why I'm the Perfect Person to Talk About This
Because I live it
I’ve had to navigate and disrupt the system from the inside. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t, and I’ve built a coaching education model that actually makes sense for divergent thinkers, pattern recognizers, fast processors, and those who don’t do well with traditional academia.
I know what it’s like to be in a course and think, “Why are we overcomplicating something that could be so simple?”
And I Know How Exhausting it is
I know the frustration of being told that the “right” way to coach is to ask only open-ended questions, when in reality, sometimes a direct statement is exactly what the client needs to hear to create an actual breakthrough.
I know the exhaustion of trying to conform to a model that just doesn’t fit, and I know the deep relief of finding a way to coach with my brain, not against it.
What Neurodivergent Coaches Want (But No One Talks About)
Using Natural Strengths
We want to use our natural strengths, not suppress them. If you think in metaphors, if you're naturally blunt but effective, if you "see" solutions before a client even finishes talking… those are strengths, not things to be unlearned.
Flexibility in Learning
We need flexibility in learning and application. Not everyone thrives in strict role-play scenarios or needs to follow a hyper-structured approach to be an effective coach.
Resonance Over Robotic Competency
We value resonance over robotic competency. Clients don't care if you tick every box on an assessment. They care that you get them, that they feel understood, and that you actually help them move forward.
Question, Innovate, Disrupt
We question, we innovate, we disrupt. And that's a good thing. Neurodivergent coaches bring creativity, fresh perspectives, and out-of-the-box solutions that traditional coaching models often miss.
The Future of Coaching Belongs to Those Who Challenge the System
The coaching industry is overdue for an upgrade. The future isn’t just about more credentials and tighter regulations. It’s about creating a space where people with different ways of thinking, learning, and processing can thrive. Neurodivergent coaches are already some of the most powerful, intuitive, and transformational practitioners in this space. We just need a system that reflects our way of working.
If you’ve ever felt like coaching education wasn’t built for your brain, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not wrong. It’s time for a new way of thinking about coaching, one that isn’t just inclusive in theory, but actually works for the way neurodivergent minds operate in practice.
Are you ready to be part of that change? Because I sure as hell am.
About the Author
Hayley "Surya" Johnson is a PCC-certified coach and CEO at Radiant Health Institute, bringing over a decade of experience in coaching, training, and education. A neurodivergent leader, Surya designs inclusive and immersive programs that foster authentic growth and equity, supporting diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and lived experiences.
Known as “That Psychic Psychologist & Celebrity Shaman,” Surya blends ancient wisdom with modern psychology to help over 1,500 clients achieve life-changing breakthroughs through her Quantum Coaching Method. Rooted in spiritual principles, this method transcends barriers of culture, religion, background, gender, and race, making it accessible to all who seek transformation.
As a Black woman and survivor of undiagnosed ADHD, chronic illness, and trauma, Surya’s resilience drives her mission to create embodied education that focuses on the whole person—not just book smarts. Featured in Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and HuffPost, she is a thought leader revolutionizing the coaching industry through innovation, accessibility, and a steadfast commitment to leaving no one behind.
by Ellie Santana​
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