Sally L., Coach with Sally Dana helped me navigate through my fears as I entered the coaching business. As my mentor coach, she offered constructive thoughts, encouraged me to think beyond the now, and asked curious questions to get me thinking about what really is possible. I look forward to continued learning with Dana through her other offerings.
Randi Schleider, ADHD Coach, Coaching for Intent
I was fortunate to have joined the ADDCA program February 2019. The entire experience has been outstanding. The extensive knowledge, and passion of the Master Coaches comes through during each class they teach.
As part of my program during Basic I was focused on receiving my AAC certificate. I had the privilege of joining Dana Maher's Mentor Coaching program. Dana conducted each of our classes with compassion, humor and a vast amount of experience. She kindly shared very valuable and concrete advice that I am utilizing today with my clients. Dana was open and available for advice during the class and I continue to feel supported by her today.
Her encouraging words truly helped me move forward to achieving my first goal in obtaining my AAC certificate!! . I am happy to have been connected to Dana, and has made me feel part of the ADDCA community. Thanks Dana!!
Mary Fernandez, former President, MentorNet, a division of Great Minds in STEM, AT&T Dana is a highly insightful and compassionate coach who helped me identify and carry out meaningful and constructive personal and professional changes. She is particularly sensitive and aware of the challenges faced by women in high-tech careers. I looked forward to our weekly meetings and left each meeting feeling empowered and uplifted. I recommend her enthusiastically!October 12, 2013
Sometimes just asking the right question at the right moment can change everything. Dana was my partner through a big change in my life. Her intuition and insight helped me gain fresh perspective. I highly recommend her as a coach.
June 28, 2015
Joseph Leibrandt, Project Manager in Electronic Health Records Implementation
I started working with Dana because I needed help with how to go about changing careers. I think she is very gifted when it comes to understanding the needs of her clients and listening to their concerns. She had some very practical advice for my job search, but, perhaps more importantly, she was extremely encouraging to me at a time in my life when I was often tempted to just give up. My wife would always notice the change in my attitude and demeanor after my phone sessions with Dana. Thanks to her, I eventually landed a great job that I find very interesting and that I actually really like! I strongly recommend her to anyone looking for assistance to make a positive change in their life.
November 3, 2015
Lauren Antonelli, Executive Advisor, B2B Product Marketing at CVS Health/Caremark Experienced. Supportive. Encouraging. These are just a few of the many words that describe Dana and her approach to personal and professional coaching. I was lucky enough to work with Dana at a significant turning point in my career - a point many of us face when we come to a fork in the road and consider choosing the path less traveled. Dana not only helps you consider the big picture, she also helps you get grounded and focused on the day-to-day steps you can take to achieve small and big goals. And, she helps you celebrate each and every success along the way. Dana has an incredible ability to help you see things from new perspectives and uncover beliefs that may be holding you back. I highly recommend Dana. October 9, 2014
Joanne Miguel,Product Strategy Director at Crossix Solutions I started working with Dana as my personal coach this Summer and she has since been my accountability partner. I came to her with a long list of “to DOs”. Through our sessions, she has helped me sort through the clutter and focus on what is really important. She encouraged me to come up with SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) goals , which allowed me to acknowledge and celebrate accomplishments at work and at home. Dana is always accessible and gives me honest, non-judgemental feedback, which always forces me to think, but not overthink, before I do. Working with Dana has allowed me to put things in their right place -- I even created a roadmap for my art and career and I’m always excited to share my milestones with her! October 29, 2014
Jordy Travis, California
Dana is the real deal! She has been my mentor coach in both a small group setting and 1 on 1 and it is an honor and a pleasure to work with her. Dana is genuine, generous, kind, smart and she has this uncanny way of getting to the core of the issue with laser-like precision, warmth and strength.
Before working with Dana, I absolutely dreaded the business-building side of being a coach. I would literally find reasons to procrastinate. Since she began coaching me, I am on a manageable and doable path and am seeing results that would have been impossible for me to reach without her.
Dana is the coach who most of us mentees are striving to become. She keeps us honest, real and helps us hone our skills. Her feedback is constructive and invaluable as she moves us forward by leaps every session. I have had too many aha moments to count!
It is amazing to be coached by someone who really cares and really wants me to succeed. She is one of the best people and coaches I have ever met. Dana is invaluable and I cannot imagine this journey without her. (December 1, 2017)
Beth Vagle I hired Dana to work with me as a mentor coach, while finishing my requirements for my ICF and PCAC credentials. It was such a pleasure to work with her! Anyone who is working towards these credentials knows there are many hoops to jump through, and that it can be a stressful process. Dana has a calming, supportive, and professional (and fun!) demeanor that instantly made me feel comfortable. Her understanding and mastery of the ICF core competencies and her ability to clearly communicate them gave me the opportunity to quickly improve my coaching skills. By the time I was in the final stretch, I felt comfortable and ready for my practicums and exams. Thank you Dana! (September 28, 2016)
Kirsten Milliken, Poobah of Play at PlayDHD
If only life were easy…..wait! It is easy with a coach like Dana. I have known Dana since we were students together in our coaching class. She was the only other one to graduate and get certified with me. Both personally and professionally we just seemed to click. It’s no surprise that when I found myself in need of a new coach to keep me on track with my multitude of projects, Dana was the only one I knew who could coach me and hold me accountable. Dana always knows the right question to ask to make me think about all of the “stuff” that is going on in my head so I can get perspective and follow the best path for me. She listens well and is fabulous at helping me to see the big picture and put things in perspective. One of the challenges we have as humans is seeing ourselves clearly across time. Figuring out our own habits and patterns. As my coach Dana has been able to help me get better perspective on how I get in my own way, what is most important to me, and where I do my best. With her support as my coach I have made more progress in a short few weeks than I made all last year on 3 projects. I like life being easy… thanks to Dana. October 9, 2014
Elizabeth Stillwell
Dana Maher was my mentor coach and I wouldn't hesitate to hire her again. Working with Dana Maher was a very relaxing and positive experience. She was supportive and caring. I never felt my fears or anxieties were overlooked. (March 3, 2016)
Diana Wallace
My relationship with Dana started when I was a student at the ADD Coach Academy. She was my instructor during one of the modules. I was impressed with her ability to expand beyond our reading material and incorporate learning through some novel experiences. She brought case studies and personal experiences that made the class interesting and valuable. I also appreciated her concern for our understanding of the class material. After class hours, she was conscientious in answering emails in a timely manner and following through with sending information and material the students requested during the class conversation. Because of my positive experience with Dana as my teacher, I was very interested in reaching out to Dana to be my mentor coach, which is part of my graduation requirements at ADDCA. I ended up hiring her as my mentor coach as well as my personal coach.
I have thoroughly appreciated Dana as a mentor and a coach. She authentically encouraged me when I most needed it to keep me moving. As a mentor, she went beyond her job description to read and offer helpful advice regarding my class project. She was understanding and patient, as I worked through the kinks of my coach recording sessions, which took more time than she had requested. What I value most about working with Dana is her competency in asking just the right question that brought new awareness and clarity to my behavior or thought. I found her feedback and insights valuable in my coaching practice.
While working with Dana, expect a respectable professional that is also very approachable and kind. I would recommend Dana as a life coach and a mentor. She has positively impacted my education, coaching practice and life. Thank you, Dana. (January 26, 2016)
Anonymous, PhD Student
When I first contacted Dana, I was in a pretty bad place. I was attempting to self-medicate and stone-face my way through both my ADHD and my PhD in the physical sciences. As one could guess, I was just barely getting by. My colleagues and advisor were beginning to not only question my ability to be productive, but almost my ability to stay healthy and level-headed. My insecurity and lack of self-esteem regularly spiraled into depression, which would become month of inactivity and non-productivity. I found my way to therapy, but only barely. Then I found Dana.
Dana was able to be incredibly hands on and involved at a very rough spot in my life, which was exactly what I needed. She could intuitively see when I was spiraling (or when I was heading in that direction), and she could communicate to me through that dark haze what was happening. When she got through to me, my mood and my behavior no longer seemed like something I had no control over; I felt like I had a choice. It was a choice to keep spinning, or to cut the momentum short, and change my direction. And it's not as if she did anything secretive or complicated here; she just communicated with me on a level that made me feel human again. After doing this dance for a few months, something happened. It was as if she re-introduced me to that free-will part of my brain that we all lose control over sometimes, and I gradually learned to stop spinning. I took a break for a while to sit with my new found will power and self-awareness, perhaps thinking that maybe that was all the help i needed. That was actually just the beginning.
I re-contacted Dana after taking a break for a month or two, realizing that digging myself out of the hole I was in was only the first step. The next step was not only to begin optimizing my behaviors, but also to come up with strategies to help guarantee that I don't go back to that dark place; that I "... keep the devil down in the hole," to quote Tom Waits. I was able to stop my self-medication and seek real, helpful medications, which was more complicated to pull off than I realized. At times when I was most frustrated with seeking the mental health services I needed, when I felt like saying "fuck it" and going back to my stoic-track-life because of obfuscation of health insurance policies or waiting for appointments that were months away for over-worked doctors, Dana was there to commiserate with me as well as provide helpful suggestions and direction. She helped me keep on track to getting exactly the help I needed.
Nowadays Dana and I still work together. We work not only on optimizing my productivity, but also on work-life balance; something that has never ever come naturally to me. I don't naturally take breaks or give myself breaks, I can be very hard on myself. Dana reminds me that these breaks make us stronger over the long run, and that balance is the true key to productivity in the long-run, something that needs to be achieved to finish and high-level professional degree. She reminds myself that incremental-change is the true path to improving myself, that there is no instantaneous change. I anticipate that I will still be working with Dana for quite a while; though not forever. Dana's main strength is her ability to focus on my priorities; and keep me focused on my priorities. One of these is to be a strong and independent worker (a requirement for my field), something that she knows is important to me, and that she reminds me regularly to strive for.
I would recommend Dana to anyone who needs help figuring out themselves, in any context. She's not a therapist, she doesn't get wishy-washy-feely-touchy on you, and she can't tell you why you do the things you do. What she can do is give you practical working advice, highlight your maladaptive behavior, and help you reframe your own situations yourself. This helps you change the things you do, as opposed to just understanding the why you do the things you do. She gives you tough love when she knows it's the right time to give you some, because she'll know when you can handle it and when you can't. Let her see you at your best and at your worst, and she'll be able to help you tilt the scale in favor of your best. (January 22, 2016)
Tess Mutuc
Dana Maher, how do I start to share my joy with you? I know in my heart, I owe it to you and I want to thank you for the opportunity to have worked with you. I am in a much better place now dealing with my son and my situation. You got me on the first few lines of your talk during an ASPEN meeting more than a year ago. I did not have second thoughts contacting you after that brief encounter because I knew you are the person who can help me sort my life and align it correctly. The day you called me was the best day of my life because it was the beginning of a journey which my family now enjoys.
Your energetic personality is so inspiring and your realistic approach to my situations were so easy to emulate. You are a great coach because you live what you teach hence making you so authentic and real. You provided me with materials that were useful to my predicament. You empowered me to become a better mother to my special son.
Thanks for the wonderful time working with you. I hope to work with you in the near future because my vision is finally taking shape and I am so excited to share with you it’s development. I can sincerely say that without your coaching, I will not make it this far. (January 28, 2016)
Judy G., Parent
Dana Maher is truly an excellent coach. She has been working with my college age daughter for the past year focusing on organization skills, defining and prioritizing goals, and outlining strategies to achieve those goals. Dana’s ability to connect with my daughter, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, creates a trusting relationship and a productive environment for personal growth. Together, they work towards reducing my daughter’s anxieties and developing the strategies to build the academic and social life she desires. Dana is a perfect combination of strength and kindness --I recommend her without reservation. January 5, 2015
Kathy Tunis-Salas, Personal Coach Specializing ADHD & Bipolar Disorder
Dana is an amazing Personal Coach. After working with her for just three months, I was able to accomplish something I didn't think was possible. I highly recommend her. Anyone who uses Dana as a Coach will be working with the best!
October 11, 2012
Shelby R., Student
Dana taught me some very useful techniques that have really helped me with my grades. One of them is teaching me how to ask my teachers for help when I don’t understand a concept. Before Dana, I was afraid because I did not want the teachers to think I was stupid for not understanding something they went over in class. Dana’s coaching helped me see that teachers don’t expect students to get it all in class and that students are supposed to ask questions and that’s normal and I just had to learn how to ask the questions appropriately. Dana also helped me figure out the best way for me to keep track of my assignments with a planner that worked for me. I need a big planner—bigger than what I was using. She’s really good at helping you see solutions to these sorts of everyday issues.
December 26, 2014
Ken W, New Jersey
I am pleased to write this recommendation in respect of the coaching services provided by Ms. Dana Maher.
My son was diagnosed with moderate ADHD during his sophomore year of college and, during consultation with his primary physician, it was suggested that we engage Ms. Maher to work with him. The physician felt that Ms. Maher could help my son to improve his organizational, time management and prioritization skills, as these typically are qualities which are adversely affected in someone afflicted with ADHD.
Over the past six months, Ms. Maher has provided bi-monthly hour-long consultations with my son, during which time they worked together to identify issues of concern and develop strategies to help overcome difficulties he was facing. In addition, these conversations served to strengthen his ability to prioritize requirements and provided him with the tools necessary to work toward achieving success.
I am very pleased with the changes I have seen in my son’s behavior and maturity. He possesses an enhanced sense of personal confidence and is focused on attaining his near-term goals. His academic performance exhibits a significant improvement and he has greater clarity with regard to his preferred future vocation. I am confident that these positive changes are directly attributable to the lessons learned during his coaching sessions with Ms. Dana Maher.
March 25, 2015
Ruth Anne Robbins, Professor at Rutgers School of Law - Camden
Dana Maher has been working with our middle schooler daughter. Dana has helped help her with organization and other executive functioning tasks. The fact that our daughter has an expert to talk to has made our family life much more peaceful. And it has helped our daughter feel as confident about her academic abilities as the rest of us are about them. Dana clearly loves what she does and it shows in the kindness and attentiveness she has brought to this work. She has made it her business to become highly attuned to our daughter's personality, and preferences, and, by doing so, has come up with a plan that is unique, creative, and that "fits" with my daughter. My daughter's teachers have also found the plans easy to implement at school. I am a convert to personal coaching for kids who struggle with executive functioning skills. And I especially recommend Dana Maher. June 10, 2012
B.W., College Student
I had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Maher as one of her ADHD coaching clients for the past five months, as we began our coaching sessions in the beginning of October. From the very beginning, Mrs. Maher was nothing but professional and business oriented, while also inquisitive and compassionate to the dilemmas I shared with her. Her schedule was always extremely flexible to fit times that worked best for both her and I, and she never showed any sort of anger or frustration in any situation when I could not meet at a certain time. When I shared with her a problem or trouble I had, she would help me address the situation and find multiple ways to either ease the stress, or steps to take to help the situation.
Mrs. Maher’s attitude is another characteristic that made her such a pleasure to work with. From the first minute until the last of every conversation, she always showed a positive attitude and positive state of mind, asking questions to delve deeper into root of the problem. Personally, I thought that the flow of our conversations were always constant and intellectual, as we would discuss personal traits and coping techniques that we had experience with in certain situations.
My decision to discontinue with the coaching conversations at the end of March 2015 was simply because I felt that Mrs. Maher had done her job to the fullest extent. She successfully helped me gain a better understanding of not only myself as an ADHD client, but as a 21-year-old college student. Her techniques and ways of approaching different situations helped me to address problems I was facing, and there was never a situation that did not end up getting resolved. Mrs. Maher is exemplary of the professional standard and expectation because of her love and dedication to her job. I would highly recommend her service to anyone who seeks ADHD coaching support, and could not be happier with the job she did during our time working together.
March 29, 2015
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