Ethics Statement
Coaching is an unregulated industry. But we do have some excellent international bodies that coaches can choose to certify with. This gives clients extra peace of mind that their coach is educated and committed to practising their ethical responsibilities.
It’s also important to recognise there’s an additional layer of responsibility and duty of care when coaching neurodivergent adults because of the neurological differences.
As an ICF-certified coach and an ADHD Works qualified coach, there are two sets of professional ethics and principles that I follow (if you click the links, you’ll find they’re pretty weighty reads!). These codes are a super important part of my certification and ongoing commitment to these organisations.
What this means for you
I’ve had very specific training in the following areas.
These are all broken down in more detail in the links above, but I've summarised the main points for you below.
Psychological safety – Coaching is a space where clients should feel safe to explore freely and be met with compassion and clarity. To do this, coaches must be respectful and trauma-informed. Neurodivergent adults are more likely to have experienced trauma or chronic masking. I recognise when my clients are not always able to articulate their needs by being aware of changes in emotional distress, missed sessions, or changes in engagement. I act with empathy and curiosity.
Neuro-affirmative approaches – I accept neurodivergence (both diagnosed and self-diagnosed) is a difference in cognition which has to be respected and treated with impartiality and validation. My approach to coaching is designed to support those who are ADHD, ASD, or AuDHD focused on developing practical strategies and honouring neurodivergent identities. My coaching is always delivered from a strengths-based perspective, focusing on capabilities while helping clients to make sense of their experiences. I don’t offer opinions beyond my professional scope, and I don’t diagnose or attempt to speculate on whether or not my clients are neurodivergent if they don’t have an official diagnosis. I respect my clients' right to self-identify.
Cultural competence – I’m aware of and responsive to complex cultural, social and personal contexts of neurodivergence, respecting differences and always working towards recognising my own unconscious bias. I recognise this is an ongoing practice so I continue to develop professionally in understanding equity, diversity and inclusion and how this relates to neurodivergent people in marginalised communities.
Accessibility – I make sure my coaching services are delivered in ways that are accessible to you, making adaptations as needed. For example, having shorter sessions, adding in breaks, or walking and talking. I recognise that adaptations are personal to each individual, and I’m always open to getting creative and finding new ways that work for my clients' specific needs.
Safeguarding – I’m committed to the safety and well-being of my clients by making sure I adhere to ethical and legal standards. This includes recognising when you need signposting or referring to other services and only practising within the limits and scope of coaching (for example, I don’t provide therapy). If I feel that a client is showing any signs of exploitation or harm at any point, I will always prioritise the safety of my client or anyone else involved by seeking safeguarding advice or acting in accordance with any legal requirements.
Inclusivity and Intersectionality – I recognise that an individual's experience is shaped by many intersecting factors such as race, culture, religion, gender, sexuality, disability and socio-economic background. Sometimes, these intersections can create structural and systemic barriers that influence how clients experience coaching and safety in a coaching environment. I recognise my privilege as a white cis het female and am always working towards understanding and addressing any of my own unconscious biases through supervision, peer support and continued education. I never make assumptions about an individual's circumstances or feelings and instead ask my clients to explore what matters to them most.
If you want to ask any questions about any part of this statement or have any feedback, please email me victoria@victoriatretis.co.uk