Hi, I’m Trudy Parkin - ADHD Life Coach, Educator, and the founder of Thriving Minds Coaching.

For over 25 years, I’ve worked in education, supporting children, teens, and families who were doing their best, but often feeling like they were falling short.

I’ve seen firsthand how easily bright, creative minds can lose confidence when their brain doesn’t fit the traditional mould.

When I was diagnosed with ADHD in my forties, everything suddenly made sense. The chaos, the bursts of energy, the creative sparks, the overwhelm, it all had a name.

Working with my own ADHD coach changed everything. I learned how to partner with my brain instead of fighting against it, and that’s exactly what I now help others do too.

My Approach

Coaching with me isn’t about 'fixing' anyone, it’s about understanding how your ADHD brain works and learning tools that actually fit your life.

My sessions are warm, practical, and grounded in compassion. You’ll find no judgment here, just a safe space to explore what’s working, what’s not, and what’s possible. We focus on small, realistic steps that create genuine momentum, because that’s how lasting change happens.

I weave together my background as a teacher, my lived experience with ADHD, and the science of executive function, motivation, and emotional regulation. Whether you’re an adult feeling stuck, a parent trying to support your teen, or a teacher wanting to better understand your students, you’ll always leave our sessions feeling seen, supported, and equipped with strategies that work for your brain.

A Little More About Me

I’m Melbourne-based and work with clients all over Australia (and sometimes beyond) through one-on-one coaching and group programs. I love coffee shop chats, morning walks, and a good dopamine playlist. My coaching isn’t just my work, it’s my purpose.

Because when you finally understand how your ADHD brain works, everything starts to shift. You stop fighting yourself and start building a life that feels calm, confident, and true to who you are.

LET'S CHAT

An Integrated Approach: ADHD Coaching Meets IFS

Since then, I’ve completed introductory training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) - a compassionate, evidence-based framework that helps people understand the different parts of themselves and how those parts interact.

I now combine traditional ADHD Life Coaching with IFS-informed practices, and the difference for clients has been incredible. This approach brings deeper awareness, lasting change, and a genuine sense of self-understanding.

Through this integrated model, clients learn to:
✅ Recognise and work with the parts of themselves that feel stuck, resistant, or overwhelmed.

✅ Develop compassion for the inner critic, perfectionist, or procrastinator, rather than fighting them.

✅ Build practical strategies and emotional awareness, creating real change that feels calm and sustainable.

My own transformation has been life-changing. By combining ADHD coaching with IFS-informed work, I’ve learned to understand and support the parts of myself that used to feel scattered or frustrated.

Now, I help others use that same blend of awareness and practical tools to create calm, confidence, and genuine change, both inside and out.