Lauren Budeus
Neurodiversity Coaching
Are you ready to discover new possibilities, cultivate creativity, and embrace your journey of growth?
We collaborate, but the focus is on you.
Coaching is for those who recognize their inherent capability and intelligence but find themselves struggling to progress. Navigating life as neurodivergent often entails grappling with societal misconceptions and internalized negativity, hindering our ability to understand ourselves and thrive. Often, we have spent most of our lives knowing we are different, but not knowing why. Trying hard to be like everyone else comes at our own expense and can often make us feel even worse that we did to begin with. Has the focus always been on what you couldn’t do, what you weren’t good at? Things are about to change.
However, coaching isn't about dwelling on challenges; it's about instigating a mindset shift, emphasizing strengths, and looking towards the future. It’s about focusing on what you can do and not what you can’t. My goal is to empower individuals, particularly neurodivergent clients, to become their own personal coaches, taking ownership of their lives and uncovering their latent abilities so they can achieve their goals. Whether your goals are monumental or seemingly small, achieving them fosters a sense of accomplishment and confidence, propelling you forward on your journey of self-discovery and growth. Together, let's rewrite the narratives that limit us and unveil the boundless potential within you!
What is coaching?
The most interesting people you’ll find are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need. They’ll make their own boxes.
– Dr Temple Grandin
Let’s work together
Who am I?
I'm not just a coach—I'm a multifaceted individual, far beyond any label or diagnosis. Currently, I'm knee-deep in a two-year diploma program, specializing in coaching neurodivergent clients, focusing on ADHD. Why this particular diploma? It's the first of its kind, led by a reputable organisation and taught by seasoned experts. Through my own journey, I've intimately grasped the challenges and potential of my neurodiversity, witnessing firsthand how coaching can be transformational for those of us with a unique operating system. Apple doesn’t need ctrl+alt+del to get things done, so stop looking for yours, it isn’t there. And that’s ok.
So, why did I become a coach?
My own profound experience as a coachee sparked the flame. Through that journey, I uncovered the transformative power of coaching—understanding my strengths, identifying values, and setting boundaries. I'm fueled by the desire to guide others along a similar path of self-discovery and empowerment. I don’t need to be led when I am able to lead myself. I did not have high expectations when I first worked with a coach; I really believed I was ‘defect’. But I was proven wrong. What was so powerful is that I did the work myself. Picture a tennis coach throwing the balls and cheering for you and eventually you start hitting them, then your accuracy improves, your strength builds, confidence develops and you start to believe in yourself. It’s just like that. I am gonna be your ball thrower but you are doing all the work.
I'm not just about ADHD.
I warmly welcome clients from all walks of life, embracing individuals of diverse neurotypes, genders, orientations, religions, nationalities, and backgrounds. My coaching practice is open to individuals who identify as neurodivergent, as well as those with formal diagnoses. I strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of neurotype or how one identifies. When we work together, I want you to turn up as YOU.
What coaching is and isn’t
I am responsible for guiding you through a thought provoking and creative process that inspires you to maximise your personal and professional potential and when relevant, through an informed ADHD lens. We co-create a safe, non-judgemental space though establishing our ways of working foundation. This foundation helps us to progress into the coaching journey where expecations and boundaries are understood from day one.
Coaching is...
Supportive
Future focused
Encouraging
Curious
Creative
Facilitating thinking
Clarifying
Listening
Growth
Coaching isn’t...
Telling
Dictating
Doing
Enforcing
Imposing
Instructing
Remedial
Counselling
Therapy
FAQ
Why would you work with a coach?
Support
and understanding that you may experience the world differently.
- Clarifying goals
- Identifying goals
- Developing action plans
- Facilitating introspection and self awareness
- How your neurodivergence is for you.
Exploring
yourself and being curious about who you really are and what makes you tick.
- Strengths
- Self awareness
- Define values
- Area for growth
- Focus
- Space and time to think
- Feel and be heard
Add a Call-to-Action
Creativity
to find new and innovative ways to navigate goals, challenges, relationships.
- Understanding your neurotype
- Reframing
- Different isn’t wrong
- Enjoy how you interpret the world
- Play to your advantage
Add a Call-to-Action
Developing
and building confidence in yourself to foster wellbeing and achieve goals.
- Manage stress
- Understand reaction and response
- Learn who you are
- Get out of a rut
- You know you are smart, so let’s prove it.
- Better relationships.
Get in touch
About me in detail
Who am I?
Picture a kid who endured bullying at school, labeled the "weird kid" by family, and navigated childhood feeling socially adrift, buried in books, and endlessly curious—sound familiar? Yep, that was me, and honestly, not much has changed in that regard. I was often told I should be thankful that I was smart; otherwise, I'd be in the shit. I am honest, blunt and I appreciate it when others are as well.
I've stumbled more times than I can count, wrestled with understanding myself, and grappled with how neurodiversity shapes my life. From navigating divorce, redundancy, spending my 20's mostly in bars, and homelessness, to moving countries, facing discrimination at work, and raising two premature boys whilst married to a German and learning the language, I've learned firsthand how to adapt and persevere and also make a total mess of my life. Through these experiences, I've gained invaluable insights and developed a deep understanding of resilience and how powerful self awareness can be. Let's just say, I know what really f*cking hard looks like.
I have my quirks and I own them. I might forget to pick up the kids or break everything unloading the dishwasher. I often find myself juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, struggling to finish one before starting another. And yes, I'm loud—like, really loud. But amidst this, I possess a knack for diving deep into topics that feed my imagination and creativity, navigating mega challenges with ease, and thinking in vivid images.
I'm not perfect, and I don't have all the answers, but I've learned to embrace my imperfections, seek support when needed, collaborate with others, and leverage my strengths. I apologise when I mess up and I own my shit.
Creativity
Creativity isn't just a skill I possess; it's the essence of who I am. From my early days as a published photographer and printmaker to my current endeavors in supply chain management and ED&I advocacy, creativity has been the driving force behind everything I do. It's not just about producing artwork or crafting compelling campaigns; I approach every challenge with fresh eyes and an open mind.
My creative educational background has instilled in me a deep appreciation for innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration. Whether I'm brainstorming ideas with colleagues, designing engaging social media content, or building visually striking reports, creativity is at the forefront. It's my compass, guiding me towards solutions and empowering me to connect with others on a deeper level. As I transition into coaching, I'm excited to harness this lifelong passion for creativity to inspire and empower individuals to unlock their full potential.
Professional Experience
Over the past 15 years, I've been knee-deep in the world of supply chain and logistics, exploring every nook and cranny from manufacturing to freight forwarding and even academia. My journey has been a rollercoaster of learning, but it's given me a deep understanding of how supply chains tick and how much I despise sitting in meetings and navigating office politics.
For the last 8 years, I've worked in Supply Chain Management at Inter IKEA Group in Germany, where I've been focused on making global supply operations run like a well-oiled machine, with quality always front and center. Working globally and together with people from all over the world has provided me with a strong cultural awareness and competence and a deep interest everything that is different.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador and Workshop Facilitator at Inter IKEA Group
Collaborating on initiatives aligned with the People Agenda, from facilitating 'Leading with Inclusive Behaviours' workshops, co creating the internal ‘let’s Talk Inclusion’ Panel Talks series to commemorating Pride, International Day for Persons with Disabilities and International Women's Day, I've championed diversity and fostered inclusive workplace environments. I brought the topic of Neurodiversity to the conversation for the first time in this organisation.
I have taken workshops and training on Bias from the NeuroLeadership Institute, Coaching Essentials and Inclusive Behaviours.
Board Member - Neurodiversity Belgium
After confirmation of my neurodivergence, I felt the need to be part of a community with others who understood what different was. My down time is also being busy. I reached out to non-profit organisation Neurodiversity Belgium in 2022 and asked how I could support. At that time, they were trying to grow the neurodiverse brains in the workplace space on Linkedin and asked if I could support. Having never created content or used LinkedIn that much, I got over my impostor syndrome and went head on at it. I read tons of articles, papers, stories and shared them with the community, eventually having the confidence to share my own stories. We have the largest Neurodiversity at work focused page on Linkedin with almost 90k followers. In 2023 I was elected to the board to support the aims of the organisation and it’s governance.
I love to learn!
I love learning and recently someone described me as a Swiss Army Knife, which is the most incredibly accurate compairsion I have ever heard . My passion for learning is deeply rooted, and I've come to appreciate the diverse nature of my educational journey but it’s been a journey. I used to apologise for my diverse skills and interests because I considered myself lacking ‘focus’ - Now I know it is actually the opposite.
At one point, I struggled with what seemed like a lack of focus or direction, having studied Fine Art and Logistics Management, among other subjects. However, I've since learned how my thirst for knowledge interconnects and enhances everything I do. If you'd like to delve deeper into my qualifications, experience, skills, and background, feel free to check out my LinkedIn page for a detailed overview.
Accreditations & Professional Affiliations
UCA Code of Conduct and Ethics
Universal Coaching Alliance (UCA) Members affirm their dedication to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in coaching by adhering to their Code of Conduct
Memberships
Memberships mean that I have access to well researched resources, lectures, events and communities in the space I focus my practice in.
Professional Development
and Qualifications
Coaching is a practice which requires curiosity and self reflection. I commit to professional development through training, supervision and further qualifications to support my coaching practice. My qualifications and credential ID’s can be found on LinkedIn
The ADHD Foundation
I am currently studying for the Professional Diploma in ADHD Coaching, delivered by the ADHD Foundation - The Neurodiversity Charity
Neurodiversity Belgium
I proudly volunteer and sit on the board for a non profit organisation focusing on the strengths and talents of neurodivergent people.
I support the Neurodiverse Brains in the Workplace community on Linkedin where we have 90,000 global followers.
Get in touch!
laurenbudeus@gmail.com
Whats App +49 1515 3975722
FAQ
I don’t know if I need a coach or something different
Making the decision to seek coaching is a personal one and can depend on various factors such as your goals, challenges, and desired outcomes. Coaching is beneficial for individuals seeking support, guidance, and accountability in various aspects of their lives, whether personal or professional. If you're unsure whether coaching is right for you, feel free to reach out for a consultation to discuss your needs and determine if coaching aligns with your objectives.
Do you only work with clients with an ADHD/Neurodiversity Diagnosis? Is self identification ok?
No, coaching is beneficial for anyone seeking support, guidance, and accountability in various aspects of their lives, regardless of whether they have a specific diagnosis. While I specialize in working with clients with ADHD and have a specialized awareness of their needs, my coaching approach is tailored to individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
How long are coaching sessions?
Coaching sessions typically range from 45 minutes to one hour, although the duration can be adjusted based on your preferences and specific needs. It's essential to find a balance between maintaining focus and intensity during the session while ensuring it remains beneficial and productive for you. Longer sessions may be arranged as needed, depending on the complexity of the topics discussed and the goals being addressed.
What if I need to cancel a session?
If you need to cancel a coaching session, please provide at least 24 hours' notice to reschedule or cancel without incurring any additional fees. However, in the event of a no-show without prior notice, the full payment for the session may still be required. This policy ensures respect for both your time and the coach's commitment to your progress.
How much does coaching cost?
Typically, coaching sessions are priced either on a per-session basis or as part of a package. It's important to discuss pricing and payment options directly to ensure transparency and alignment with your budget and expectations. Payment is usually made upfront as this helps you as a client to commit to coaching, knowng it’s already paid for.
Why do we establish ways of working (Contracting)
Contracting in coaching is crucial for establishing clear agreements and expectations between the coach and client. It defines roles, sets goals, and ensures confidentiality, fostering trust within the coaching relationship. Additionally, it outlines the coaching process, including logistics such as session structure, fees, and cancellation policies. By providing a framework for accountability, contracting facilitates a focused and effective coaching partnership, guiding both parties towards achieving desired outcomes while minimizing misunderstandings or conflicts.