All behaviour make sense —
We all use coping strategies and ways of surviving that make sense at the time —Eventually they will stop working or start costing us more than we can afford to give. Understanding what these behaviours are doing for us, opens the door to look for alternatives and to begin to change without shame…
A little bit about how I got here…
Though hitting rock bottom in my 20s with alcohol was a profound wake-up call, over the years as I slowly peeled back the layers of my life in sobriety, I began to realize I was in many ways still stuck. Coping patterns that were no longer serving me showed up in my relationships, money, work, food — and ultimately in how I related to myself.
Though recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder at 26 was life-saving and life-changing, I was still caught in behaviours that, at the time, helped me function day to day but were now holding me back from fully thriving.
It wasn’t until my ADHD was diagnosed at 43 — and I began exploring new supports and tools that truly fit how my mind works and met my unique needs — that I started to understand why these strategies, though once necessary, had become so limiting. This realization helped me see beyond the behaviours to the unmet needs beneath them, which opened the door to healthier, more sustainable ways of living.
Who I am and how I work
I’m Diane O’Reilly. My coaching is informed primarily by my own lived experience of navigating ADHD, addiction recovery, and life’s many challenges as well as my professional training in ADHD and Addiction Recovery coaching, the CRAFT method, and Motivational Interviewing.
I bring empathy, insight, and practical tools to guide others through their own challenges, meeting people where they’re at, respecting and nurturing their innate wisdom, and supporting them to make choices that work for their lives.
‘You are Not Supposed to Know…
You are Supposed to be Shown!’
What Shapes My Coaching
I believe behaviours make sense in context. They’re often highly effective solutions to unmet needs — until they aren’t. When we understand what those behaviours are protecting or providing, change becomes possible without shame.
My holistic approach considers the complexities of ADHD and addiction, focusing on uncovering what drives behaviours, meeting underlying needs, and creating strategies that are sustainable and empowering.
Credentials/Experience
-
Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CCRC)
-
Recovery Coach Professional (RCP, CCAR)
-
ADHD Life Coach training
-
CRAFT-trained, family-focused strategies
-
Motivational Interviewing practitioner
-
Trained Mindfulness Guide
-
Member of the Helping Families Help Network and IARCP
What my clients say…
Diane helped me realize my issues with codependence, which I was unaware of, and how to implement self care and clear boundaries. This will be a lifetime practice, due to the strong pattern of codependence I have. But I’m fortunate that Diane identified this and helps me implement the practices needed in order to feel my own worth and take care of my own needs.
—L.G. Oakville, On
Diane, you helped reveal the freedom in recovery. It always seemed so daunting, too big, insurmountable, but with your guidance and your pragmatic, practical and compassionate approach, it became manageable. You showed me a way to break it down into digestible, healthy pieces. I’ve actually become excited about recovery. I’ve come to welcome the process. I embrace it and make MY recovery my own. It’s no longer separate – not a monster to be slayed, nor a shameful part of me. I’ve come to understand it in a new way. It’s a beautiful, mindful journey. Thank you Diane.”
—Yours, with Gratitude, G.M. Nova Scotia.
Diane is an extraordinary coach with regards to sobriety and ADHD, but also in a wider sense as regards the fundamentals of humanity. Her level of understanding, care, dedication, professionalism, insights and intuition and her ability to hold the center, deeply listen and respond with a level of caring that is easy to access and implement is the cornerstone of her craft.
I would recommend Diane a thousand times over to anyone who’s thinking about it. The investment will pay dividends in your ability to get to know yourself at the deepest levels, and implement this knowing into meaningful, action in a very real and practical way.
—R.B. Ontario.
The Antidote to Doubt is Positive Action…
Not sure if Coaching will be a good fit for your needs? Schedule a Free no pressure Discovery call to safely explore your goals and challenges to help you gain clarity on your needs and what will be the best route for you.