About Linda S. Anderson, MA, MCC, ADHD Master Coach

Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) need the support of a knowledgeable and skilled coach who understands the everyday challenges of balancing work and home life. They need someone who gets it. After 30+ years in the field, I get it.

In 1994, I began Getting Clear, my organizing business that gradually evolved into my true passion – coaching. As a professional organizer, I found myself working with accomplished and creative ADHD adult clients from a variety of career backgrounds who felt stuck for one reason or another.

Today, as both a pioneer and expert in the field of ADHD coaching, I work with clients across the United States and abroad. I work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including professionals in the corporate, medical, academic and business world, creatives in various fields, as well as college and graduate students.

Since 1994, I have pursued an education in ADHD and professional coaching – continually learning from scientists and experts in the field, attending and presenting at major conferences, and creating a nine-week course for coaches and clinicians on coaching ADHD clients. A longtime member of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), I served on their board for ten years and as president for two years. Today, I share tools and strategies gathered from 30 years of learning with clients and audiences. People often tell me that I bring creativity, compassion, wit, and wisdom to our time learning together.

Background

In 1971, I graduated from Northwestern University with a Master of Art degree in English Literature and in 1972 obtained a teaching degree. Following this, I spent fifteen years in education in various roles spanning from teacher to childcare center director. In the early 1980s, while raising two young children, I consulted in early childhood education and began looking into starting my own business. Serendipitously, I was invited to join a friend’s professional organizing business. In a few short weeks, I knew I wanted my own business, and in 1994, Getting Clear was born.

It was my very first organizing client who asked if I knew what ADD (how it was commonly referred to at the time) was. I replied that I did not. Soon, multiple organizing clients began sharing their experiences with ADD with me. My interest was piqued, and I decided that I needed to learn all I could. Soon organizing clients were approaching me, requesting that I help them with a variety of challenges beyond organizing – how to be a more effective leader as a small business owner, how to prioritize tasks and manage projects at a law firm, and how to better communicate with a life partner who considered ADD to be an excuse to procrastinate.

As I continued learning more about ADD, I also discovered that I enjoyed connecting with clients on a deeper level. I didn’t simply want to help them as a consultant; I wanted to truly understand their perspective. I learned that I could best assist clients by asking the right questions to help sort through chaos, build better awareness, develop doable next action steps – and ultimately create personal growth. Through all this, I realized coaching was a field you could actually study, and I sought out training with experts and joined the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

In 2002, I acquired my master coach certification (MCC), the highest of three certifications awarded by ICF. To this day, I continue to learn about ADHD, brain function, the gut-brain connection, and how to be a better masterful coach for adults who want to know more about ADHD and how to get past ‘stuck’ and overwhelm to achieve success and happiness.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, North Park University 
• Master of Art in English Literature, Northwestern University, 1971
• Master Coach Certification, International Coach Federation (ICF), 2005 

Coaching & Training

• Cog Med Working Memory Course 
• Imago Relationship Training 
• Personal Turnarounds 
• NLP and Coaching Techniques 
• Coach University Special Series
• American Coach Association – ADHD Coach Training 
• Coaching ADHD Clients – Mastery Levels Skills (my own 8 week course)
• Optimal Functioning Institute – ADHD Coach Training (18 month training)

Memberships & Affiliations

• Member, ICF, 2002 – present
• Member, Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), 1996 – present
• President, ADDA, 2006 – 2009
• Board, ADDA, 1996 – 2012
• Member, Children and Adults with ADD (CHADD), 1996 – present
• Member, International Coach Federation (ICF), 2000 – present
• Member, ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO), 2005 – present