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mark.helsing

My life's journey with ADHD began long before I knew its name. Diagnosed with "Hyperactivity" at age 4, my early years were marked by a struggle to fit into the expected norms, leading to a medication regimen that focused more on controlling behaviors than understanding them. At 13, I was mistakenly told I had outgrown ADHD, a notion that left me unprepared for the challenges ahead. High school was a rollercoaster of academic ups and downs, culminating in a hard-won graduation, thanks to teachers who saw beyond my grades to the potential within.

The transition to college brought a new set of challenges: newfound freedom clashed with a lack of direction, leading to a five-year stint filled with more questions than answers. This period, however, also sparked my entrepreneurial spirit, leading me to leave college and start a successful business. For 20+ years, this venture thrived, buoyed by the strength of my partnership with my wife, whose complementary skills created a harmonious balance to my ADHD-fueled creativity and energy.

My re-diagnosis as an adult came as a revelation, reframing my past struggles and informing my future path. It was watching my own children, two of whom are neurodiverse, navigate their own journeys that truly brought my experiences full circle. Their challenges and triumphs mirrored my own and reignited my passion for understanding ADHD. This led me back to academia, to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science, and later to specialized training in life coaching, focusing on neurodiversity.

My Story

Mark Helsing
Certified ADHD Coach & Founder
I have confronted ADHD/AuDHD challenges personally, professionally, and as a parent
and have lived with all these emotions. 
I deeply understand your desire to find the best path forward for you (or your child), and I am committed to using my experience and expertise to support and guide you through this journey.
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My decision to pursue coaching is tied to my intense interest in understanding the complexities of the human brain, how we learn, and how motivation drives behavior. I also have a unique blend of personal experience and professional interest, as evidenced by my personal journey with ADHD and the experiences of my neurodivergent children.

In my coaching practice, I integrate the latest scientific insights on neurocognition, particularly focusing on research related to Executive Function, Emotion Dysregulation, Motivation, and Procrastination. This ensures that my coaching methods are not just empathetic and personalized but also grounded in evidence-based research.

 

Essentially, my coaching style is a harmonious blend of science and art, where scientific understanding of the brain and motivation forms the foundation, and the art of coaching translates these theories into practical, meaningful actions for each client. This approach reflects my commitment to not only supporting neurodivergent individuals but also empowering them to embrace and leverage their unique strengths, reshaping their world to better fit their distinct needs.

Why I Coach?

- Our Brains

Emergent Focus in coaching is like a jazz session on the grand stage of complex systems

Just like jazz, where musicians collaborate and build off each other's creativity, the brain – a complex network of neurons – operates in a similar, intricate manner.

In the intricate system of the brain, especially in individuals with ADHD/AuDHD, it's not just isolated neurons firing. It's a dynamic, interconnected process where the whole is more intriguing than its individual parts. Emergent Focus comes into play, adapting to the unique rhythms of each brain, especially those with the zestful beats of neurodivergence.

Coaching someone with ADHD/AuDHD can be akin to leading a jazz ensemble.  Traditional methods might try to stick to the sheet music, urging everyone to play the same tune. Emergent Focus, on the other hand, encourages a bit of improvisation. We see the individual's unique thought patterns as a rich, unexplored melody.  Just as a jazz musician listens closely to the other players and responds in the moment, the coach LISTENS DEEPLY AND ADAPTS their coaching style to best support the client. The result is a dynamic interaction that leads to GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION. 

This approach doesn’t just accept the brain’s quirky harmonies; it revels in them. It’s like finding the groove in what others might see as an offbeat. It is through this COLLABORATIVE PROCESS that new possibilities emerge, helping clients gain CLARITY AND INSIGHT into their challenges and strengths. With Emergent Focus, coaching focuses on composing a piece that honors each individual's unique style, rather than trying to fit them into a mold.

In essence, this means that coaching with Emergent Focus is less about correcting and more about embracing and supporting each brain's originality. It recognizes that small adjustments and variations can lead to a whole new, beautiful composition. Life is more exciting when you can embrace the different rhythms and melodies, rather than sticking to the same old tune.

What Exactly Does Emergent Focus Mean?

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Interested in learning more?

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