Higher Vibes Coaching Blog

10 Truths About Recovery Every Coach and Client Should Know
Coaching someone in recovery—or doing the work yourself These 10 truths go far beyond ICF certification checklists. They speak to the real terrain of addiction, healing, and identity. If you’re a life coach, leadership coach, wellness practitioner, or trauma survivor learning to coach yourself back to wholeness—this is essential. Understand how harm reduction saves lives, why relapse isn’t failure, and how trauma, systemic oppression, and identity shifts shape the recovery process. Whether you’re holding space for someone else or reclaiming your own—this is the groundwork for coaching with clarity, care, and courage.

ADHD vs. Autism: Key Differences, Overlapping Traits, and How to Get the Right Diagnosis
ADHD and autism share traits like masking, sensory overload, and social exhaustion, but they are distinct neurotypes (even though there is often an overlap). Learn how to tell the difference, why ADHDers may seem autistic, and how to get an accurate diagnosis.

Why So Many Fake Executive Coaches?
Why is “Executive Coach” the hottest (and most overused) title in coaching? This bold take calls out the hype, reveals why real senior-level business experience matters, and offers better title alternatives to build trust—and attract the right clients.

5 ADHD Coaching Mistakes That Sabotage Progress (And What to Do Instead)
Coaching ADHD clients isn’t just about productivity hacks—it’s about understanding how their brains actually work. Here are five common coaching mistakes that can backfire, plus smarter, ADHD-friendly strategies that lead to real results

ICF Ethics & Identity in Coaching: Why “I Can Coach Anyone” Is a Red Flag
Some coaches dismiss identity in coaching, violating ICF ethics and DEIB principles while gaslighting clients and peers. Learn why erasing identity isn’t neutrality—it’s unethical coaching that fails to create truly inclusive spaces.

The Myth of “I Can Coach Anyone”: How Lily Zheng’s FAIR Framework Elevates Coaching
Discover why the belief that “I can coach anyone” can be harmful to clients and the coaching profession in this eye-opening case study. Learn how Lily Zheng’s FAIR Framework (Fairness, Access, Inclusion, and Representation) can help coaches develop cultural competence and create truly equitable, client-centered coaching experiences.

Coaches: Using the Narrative Coaching Model Through an Intersectional Lens
Traditional narrative coaching often focuses on individual mindset shifts without addressing systemic oppression. An intersectional approach helps clients reframe their stories while acknowledging external barriers, validating lived experiences, and fostering both personal and collective empowerment.

Coaches: Make the Be-Do-Have Model More Intersectional
The Be-Do-Have Model is often framed in a way that assumes everyone has equal access to the same opportunities, but that’s not the reality for people navigating systemic barriers due to race, gender, disability, class, or other intersectional factors. If coaches want to make it more intersectionality-friendly, we need to acknowledge privilege and structural challenges and redefine success beyond dominant narratives.

The Dark Side of Coaching: Women Gatekeeping Women
Coaching promotes growth and inclusion, but behind the scenes, competition and quiet gatekeeping often tell a different story—especially for women of color. This is how a seasoned executive-turned-coach navigated subtle but persistent challenges from a fellow coach determined to keep control of the conversation.

Coaching Techniques for Finance Professionals
Finance professionals face relentless pressure, burnout, and identity suppression in high-stakes roles. This guide explores how specialized coaching can transform careers by addressing burnout, enhancing decision-making, and empowering professionals with tailored strategies for investment banking, trading, hedge funds, and more—unlocking sustainable success through resilience, clarity, and authenticity.

Why Getting an Adult ADHD Diagnosis Is Tough (And What to Do About It)
For many adults, the journey to an ADHD diagnosis is both frustrating and liberating—it provides long-awaited answers but also reveals the barriers to treatment and support. From struggling with focus, procrastination, and emotional overwhelm to navigating the complexities of online diagnosis and access to care, this guide explores why getting diagnosed is so difficult, what prompts adults to seek answers, and how to find the right resources for treatment.

Performance Coaching: A Perspective for Coaches & Clients
Performance coaching helps high-functioning professionals uncover their core motivations, break limiting patterns, and achieve sustainable success. The best coaching goes beyond surface-level strategies—it embraces identity-affirming, trauma-informed practices that align with a client’s whole self, creating deeper, lasting transformation.

Oh S**t, I’m Coaching a Coach or Therapist (AKA How to Support High-Expertise Clients)
Don’t fret, my pet! Coaching a coach or therapist comes with unique challenges—after all, they already know the tools and techniques! This guide explores how to navigate power dynamics, build trust, and provide real value when working with high-expertise clients, so you can confidently support those who are used to being the expert.

Coaching ADHD Clients in the Workplace: Disclosure, Accommodations, and Advocacy
Coaches, learn how to support ADHD clients as they navigate workplace challenges, from disclosure decisions to advocating for accommodations and overcoming internalized stigma. This guide includes practical tools and resources to empower both clients and coaches, helping ADHD professionals thrive in their careers while fostering a more inclusive workplace.

Workplace Accommodations for Neurodivergent Employees: Advocacy Without Disclosure
Neurodivergent employees often work with coaches to navigate workplace accommodations, but formal disclosure can feel daunting—or unnecessary. Instead of relying on disclosure, it’s essential to identify personal challenges and proactively collaborate with teams to create a more supportive and inclusive work environment. This guide explores how to advocate for your needs, request accommodations, and foster understanding—without disclosing more than you’re comfortable with.