ABOUT ME

The human mind and brain have always fascinated me. I earned a PhD in philosophy from the University of Warwick (UK) and Paris (France), with a dissertation on perception and hallucinations. After that, I worked in academia as a researcher and lecturer for almost a decade, specializing in the philosophy of psychology and psychiatry.

After years in academia, trapped in a cycle of overwork and underachievement, and a lifetime of not understanding why I couldn’t do things most people found easy (locate my keys, make phone calls, get to places on time…) while doing things most people find difficult (getting a PhD, repeatedly moving to a new country…), my ADHD diagnosis changed everything for me. Coaching was a big part of this process: through coaching, I learned to harness my strengths, clarify my goals, and find productivity strategies that work for me. I learned how to work with my brain, not against it.

The clarity and tools I developed through coaching led me to centre my career around what I am most passionate about: supporting the ADHD community. I decided to do this by becoming an ADHD coach, enabling others to experience the transformative force of coaching.

I completed my training with ADDCA, the global leader and pioneer in ADHD Coach Training, accredited by both ICF and PAAC and am currently working towards my cetification.

ADHD coach Roberta Locatelli, closeup
ADHD coach Roberta Locatelli with a red sweater against a green leaves' background

This process also led me to centre my academic research on reconceptualising ADHD and bridging the gap between the neurodiversity model and the disorder model of psychiatric conditions, to facilitate the dialogue between clinicians and neurodiversity advocates. You can find out more about my research here. I now see my coaching practice and academic research as intertwined and mutually beneficial. My coaching method is informed by my philosophical work on it, as well as the latest empirical literature I need to constantly churn on for my research. The critical thinking skills I developed over the years as an academic philosopher help me be a reflective thinking partner. In turn, my academic research benefits from the more direct, intituve, and humane understanding of ADHDers that coaching affords me.  

When not coaching, writing, speaking in public, or spending time with my family, I can be found designing and sewing colourful clothes, practising yoga, cross fit, and pole dancing, or learning a new crafting technique.

Get in touch

Feel free to use this form or drop me an email with any questions.

If you are interested in coaching, you might want to book a free 30-minute consultation here.

If you are a fellow practitioner or researcher, who would like to network, collaborate, or discuss a project, please send me an email through this form, or book a 20-minute slot to chat with me here. I’d love to hear from you!