Anna Dafna is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with her. She impressed us with her dedication and passion to help her clients.

She is a coach, psychologist and qualified teacher specialising in ADHD coaching. After one of her clients has been diagnozed with ADHD she started being interested in this area of expertise. She saw how much anxiety and self doubt he experienced she wanted to help him feel more confident to take on the life’s challenges. She realized he needs a little extra attention so she immediately embarked on a path of equipiing herself with the right knowledge and expertise to be able to do so.

She has been working with clients since 2003. After years of professional development in psychology and coaching, she decided to pursue executive function coaching.

Her approach is eclectic and integrative, she is always updating her knowledge by staying up to date with the latest advancements and innovations in this field by reading journals, new research and publications. Her passion for helping people with ADHD is unmatched. Probably because she herself knows how it feels to be unseen and unheard, doubting yourself and your abilities because of your executive function challenges. Here is what she said.

Meet Life Coach Anna Dafna:

Name: Anna Dafna

Pillar: The Mind

Who is this coach for: Anyone who is struggling with ADHD or having executive function challenges and wants to overcome them so they can grow into the best version of themselves.

How they can help: By personalised coaching including one to one coaching, 24/7 access to Anna via WhatsApp, emails or accountability calls, toolkits, exclusive articles, bespoke and comprehensive evaluation reports, closed WhatsApp accountability groups, annual access to networking dining experience and more.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these Pandemic times?

We are doing very well during this unique and unprecedented historical moment.

It has been a long road for everyone, but we find joy, creativity and positivity in little moments and take each day with an open mind and hearts.

How does the coronavirus pandemic affect your clients? Did it affect you at all?

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on my clients, as well as myself.

For many clients, disrupting their routines and lifestyles has increased stress and anxiety. 

To counteract this, I have provided extra support through additional coaching sessions and customised resources such as exercises and activities designed to help them manage their emotions.

Additionally, I have shifted all of my client meetings online. 

As for myself, I am so happy to connect with clients worldwide, and I have been reminded of how important it is to focus on self care and prioritise taking care of myself to be better equipped to coach others.

What are the biggest lessons that you learned in this pandemic?

The greatest lesson I have learned is the power of creativity, persistence and adaptability.

No matter what happens, it’s important to maintain a sense of hope, inner resourcefulness, and solution based thinking, keep pushing forward and never give up.

This is a lesson I take with me every day, both professionally and personally.

It has been especially necessary during the last few years when so much has been uncertain.

The Origin:

Tell us about you, your career, how you started with your coaching career?

I am a coach, psychologist and qualified teacher specialising in ADHD coaching. 

I have worked with clients in this field since 2003, and it has become my passion.

My interest in ADHD coaching began when my first client was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

I realised he needed extra support to manage it.

Seeing how much anxiety, doubt and low self esteem he experienced, I wanted to help him feel more confident and equipped to handle life’s challenges. 

This led me down the path of researching and learning more about neurodiversity while also taking courses on effectively coaching people diagnosed with this condition.

After years of working in educational settings gaining practical experience and professional development in psychology and coaching, I decided to pursue executive function coaching as a more meaningful way to use my skills and knowledge.

I turned my passion into a career that has allowed me to use my expertise to coach others to discover their potential, lead more fulfilling lives and make a meaningful impact.

What was your biggest obstacle that you had to overcome in your life that made you who you are today?

One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was a lack of self confidence and belief in myself as a teenager due to my executive function challenges. 

Growing up, I often felt unseen and unheard and doubted my academic abilities.

But as I went through life and gained more practical experience, I began to recognise my strengths and build on them.

Through work, dedication, and determination, I overcame my concentration, procrastination, and self belief challenges and now consider them the main driving forces behind who I am today. 

The Coaching Style:

How do you innovate with coaching your clients?

To ensure successful outcomes for my clients, I always stay up to date with the latest neuroscientific research and approaches in ADHD coaching.

I’m constantly reading journals, attending workshops and courses, and connecting with other psychologists, psychotherapists and coaches to discuss new ideas and methods of working. 

I also take an individualised approach that considers each client’s goals, challenges, and external factors and provides customised resources such as books, exercises and activities designed to help them reach their goals.

Lastly, I continuously check in with my clients for feedback on their progress and encourage and push them as needed.

What’s unique about your coaching approach?

My unique approach to ADHD coaching draws on my professional and academic background in education, psychology and coaching and my 20 year experience mentoring neurodiverse groups. 

I focus on building a strong self image and creating a personalised holistic program that incorporates current research and evidence based practices.

My goal is to go beyond addressing surface level issues by getting to the root of things to achieve lasting results.

I empower my clients with the tools and resources they already have and share new tools with them so that they take control of their lives and reach their goals faster.

I also work closely with neurodiverse clients to boost communication, leadership and social skills for reaching success in all areas of life.

What benefits do your clients get after working with you?

My clients gain insights into their personal and professional life, better understand their strengths, identify and work through blocks to success, and cultivate greater self awareness and clarity. 

On top of that, they cultivate a winning mindset and learn useful tools and strategies for thriving.

As a result, my clients feel more confident, empowered, focused, inspired, and driven towards achieving their goals.

Do you use any specific tools to be efficient with your clients?

Yes, my approach is eclectic and integrative, and I use various tools to be efficient with my clients.

Depending on the client’s needs, I may incorporate different techniques.

Additionally, I provide helpful resources such as educational materials and books that support my clients in understanding, accepting and loving who they are.

The Impact:

If you had a super megaphone that, when you speak into, the whole world will hear your message, what would you say?

Focus on what you can do in your life right now to improve it.

Develop strategies and tools tailored to your strengths and needs and use them to build a life you feel proud of.

Take time to reframe challenging situations into opportunities for growth and remember that everyone has the power to create positive change.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned in your life?

I believe that lifelong learning, radical open mindedness and the ability to build meaningful connections and work are the most important lessons in life.

They require humility, transparency and openness but the rewards are life changing.

Your final thoughts?

All people with a diagnosis, traits or suspicion of ADHD deserve a neurodiversity and inclusion friendly environment to learn, grow and thrive.

I aim to provide guidance and resources so clients can realise their goals and work towards living a life they love.

Where Can You Find Anna Dafna?

If you liked this interview and you would love to see how Anna can help you overcome your executive function challenges so you can learn, grow and thrive to become the best version of yourself, go to https://www.annadaphna.com/ and discover your next step.

If you like to see a glimpse of her coaching, follow her Facebook and Instagram accounts. You can also check her TikTok where she regularly publishes nuggets of value.

If you like to connect more personally with her, you can do that through LinkedIn or by sending her a message on her email [email protected]. It was an honor having this interview with her.