About
Kristen Denney
Life Coach and ADHD Coach, BA, PCC and PCAC
Hello!
I'm Kristen, and I was diagnosed with ADHD at age 54. You know that feeling when someone describes something they're going through and you just get it? They seem to speak your language.
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Several years ago I was taking a walk with a new neighbor, when she began to describe her experience being recently diagnosed with ADHD. ​She mentioned anxiety, misplacing things, being forgetful, sleep issues, focus issues, disorganization, getting very little accomplished, indecision, feeling like she was too much and also not enough. She was describing me! I was stunned. I could see ADHD in her children, but her? Me?​ How is this possible?​
Clarity
In a sudden flash of clarity, everything in my life made sense. I began to ask her questions and had her book in my hand before I went back home, A Radical Guide For Women With ADHD. So much resonated that I became certain that I had ADHD and soon had an official diagnosis.
Because I was diagnosed late, I was relieved, to know what has been "wrong with me" my whole life, and at the same time, I grieved that I hadn't been diagnosed years ago.
I no longer see my ADHD as having something wrong with me.
Misdiagnosis
As I researched what it means to have ADHD, I found more and more signs and symptoms that fit, I made an unfortunate discovery. Women and girls with ADHD are often missed and even misdiagnosed. Girls more often cope better, essentially hiding their ADHD.
Like many women, I had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Antidepressants never really worked well for me. In fact, I went four years without crying. I thought there was something wrong with me. The antidepressants left me feeling flat. Sure, I was out of a dark space, but life was dull.
ADHD Coaching
I sought career coaching with a coach who wrote an article in ADDitude Magaizine. By the end of just 7 sessions I realized that I wanted to serve and encourage others who have experienced similar challenges as mine.
My experience with the coaching process and learning that there is a reason for my challenges led to self compassion that I had not experienced before.​ Most importantly I began to appreciate the parts of me that I had previously devalued.
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ADHD is my constant companion and now inspires me to continue growing and experiencing life fully, with all of life's ups and downs. ​
Who I am
In my personal and professional life, I’m a curious and creative person, always desiring to learn and to see the world in new ways.
I'm a plant lover, animal lover, and enjoy getting out in the sun. I'm highly sensitive (HSP), find extraordinary fascination and beauty in the world at the same time as being challenged with sound, texture, and touch.​
Gig work
I enjoy gardening, crochet and other hand made projects, exploring new places, and generally leaving things better than I found them. Social dance lessons (two-step, swing, cha cha etc.) have been an outlet for inner restlessness for years. ​​​
​Gig work has been a way of life for me since my 20's as a florist (mostly weddings), photographer, child care provider, gardener, house/pet sitter, coach and Pilates instructor. Did you know Pilates is ADHD friendly?
My education
Like many other ADHDers, it took me a while to get my bachelor's degree. I worked to save money, took a class or two for a quarter or two, and then withdrew several times to save for the next several courses. I am proud to be a University of Washington graduate and a Washington Husky.
My experiences with ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) led to further clarity about myself and my brain, Executive Function challenges, and character strengths. When I interviewed David Gwierc, one of the founders of ADDCA, he told me that even more than the education, I would meet others like me who would be friends for life. That alone would be worth the fee for the course.
Certification!
I took every course ADDCA offered, went through the required steps, and earned my Professional Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This process was not ADHD friendly.
​This was a tough process, but my love of learning, support from my cohort, hours of study, tears, joy and frustration, found me at the end of the requirements with certification from my school and my PCC (Professional Certified Coach) from ICF. I continued learning through PAAC certification and later ADDCA's Ethics course.
What I wish I knew
When I was first diagnosed I felt overwhelmed at the idea of finding resources that I could trust. That is why I wanted to create an extensive list for others.
While I cooked meals, did laundry, took walks, I consumed countless YouTube videos (mostly listened) to really understand what this new diagnosis meant for me and my life. I had no idea that ADHD could show up this way or that for different people. You'll find a full post on the various resources I have discovered through my early journey, my education, and my years as a coach.
My desire for you
​​My desire for you is that with the resources I have found that you will find what you need with greater ease and benefit than I did when first diagnosed with ADHD.
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Feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have about resources, coaching, group coaching, ADHD education, and referrals to professionals in the coaching field who specialize in areas of interest.
Living with ADHD can feel better than it does. I have experienced first hand what knowledge and coaching can do. I encourage you to
prioritize you now and make the rest of your life better by understanding your ADHD and looking into coaching. ​
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