How does coaching improve ADHD forgetfulness management?

PostedNovember 18, 2025

UpdatedJanuary 1, 2026

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Phoebe Carter, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Forgetfulness is one of the most common frustrations for people living with ADHD. According to NICE guidance, ADHD coaching can help by turning everyday memory struggles into manageable habits through structure, accountability, and consistent reinforcement (NICE NG87, 2025).

Why coaching helps with forgetfulness

ADHD often affects executive functions, the skills that control memory, planning, and time management. Coaching focuses on these practical challenges, using external reminders, visual cues, and step-by-step scheduling to reduce forgetfulness and improve daily organisation.

The NHS Adult ADHD Support Resource Pack describes coaching as a structured behavioural intervention that helps people “maintain focus, plan tasks, and follow through with goals” by building systems rather than relying on memory alone (NHS, 2025).

What makes ADHD coaching effective

Research published in Frontiers in Psychology (2024) found that adults receiving structured ADHD coaching showed measurable improvements in task completion and working memory. By incorporating regular check-ins and accountability, coaching supports the brain’s ability to stay on track, essentially acting as an external executive assistant.

NICE and the Royal College of Psychiatrists note that combining coaching with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) often produces the best results. CBT helps manage emotions and thought patterns, while coaching turns those strategies into consistent daily routines (RCPsych, 2023).

Coaching as part of ADHD care

The strongest evidence comes from combined approaches, coaching, therapy, and medication which improve memory reliability, organisation, and overall functioning more than any single method alone (The Lancet Psychiatry, 2023).

Coaching is increasingly recognised within UK care pathways, though NHS availability still varies. For those seeking structured behavioural support, emerging UK programmes such as Theara Change are developing evidence-based coaching models that align with NICE recommendations for ADHD management.

Takeaway

ADHD coaching helps people transform forgetfulness from a daily obstacle into a skill that can be managed and improved. By pairing practical tools with accountability and structure, coaching reinforces memory, builds confidence, and bridges the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.

Phoebe Carter, MSc

Author

Phoebe Carter is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology. She has experience working with both children and adults, conducting psychological assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and delivering evidence-based therapies. Phoebe specialises in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and learning disabilities, as well as mood, anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders. She is skilled in CBT, behaviour modification, ABA, and motivational interviewing, and is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to individuals of all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.