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Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

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Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#141

Post by christalwang »

fragmede wrote: post #113
xeniaangevin wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Firstly, it’s a pleasure to meet someone as informed in the current debates across the helping professions as you are. As a coaching psychologist and a member of Shimmer team, I should firstly confirm that we work in close alliance with the other helping professions in the clinical and psychotherapeutic space and we understand each other’s limitations. And while each of the helping professions pay attention to the ou…

Let me be more direct: what qualifications do your coaches hold?

Thank you for the clarification.

Our coaches fall in 1 of 2 categories: (1) Coaching or MH professional credentials (ICF, Therapists, Psychiatrists) or (2) Masters-level or equivalent of psychology- or ADHD- related field along with extensive hours of client-facing facilitation & coaching work.

100% of our coaches fall into 1 of the above 2 categories.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#142

Post by rickyyean »

Ilasky wrote: post #84
kevinqinhu wrote: post #76

Interesting concept. Personally, I'm not a fan of therapy (tried it 3 times and it didn't stick) because I felt like I wasn't learning anything tactical that I can apply to my life. I'm a founder with ADHD so I'm very focused on building and "unblocking" myself -- e.g. getting myself to do the thing I know I need to do but can't do for some reason. If having a coach who can help unblock me quickly when I'm in a state…

Another ADHD founder here. I've found that having someone else around when I need to to that thing, or a "body double" ( https://doubleapp.xyz/blog/body-doubling-proxy ), is a super useful tactic to "unblock" myself and overcome motivational hurdles like the ones you may experience.

Flow Club is a great body-doubling app anytime you want (https://www.flow.club/coworking-for-adhd).

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#143

Post by christalwang »

TheTaytay wrote: post #85
christalwang wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hi! Chris(tal) here (also, I'm a woman.. she/her, haha. I get that a lot using my nickname) Unfortunately, yes. There are many businesses that take advantage of not only people with ADHD but people in other vulnerable communities (e.g. other neurological conditions and mental illnesses). I've been in this space for a long time since I started with my Eating Disorder amongst other things in my teenage years. Of course…

After clicking around, here’s something I wanted to mention: You mentioned in your post that if you have ADHD or “think you do”, you encourage people to check it out. I’m in the camp of, “I probably don’t have ADHD, but boy, some of those self-diagnosis survey questions hit close to home, and I wish they didn’t, so this might be worth looking into whether I have ADHD or not.” I understand that you aren’t in a positio…

Definitely helpful, thank you for the thoughtful perspetive. I like this: "how to investigate further, or how to know whether to give your service a shot?"

For now... this is a good self test from WHO: https://www.shimmer.care/adhdtest

I'm also glad you felt reassured!

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#144

Post by christalwang »

TheTaytay wrote: post #69
christalwang wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hi! Chris(tal) here (also, I'm a woman.. she/her, haha. I get that a lot using my nickname) Unfortunately, yes. There are many businesses that take advantage of not only people with ADHD but people in other vulnerable communities (e.g. other neurological conditions and mental illnesses). I've been in this space for a long time since I started with my Eating Disorder amongst other things in my teenage years. Of course…

Ah, that is clarifying. (And oh! Thanks for the gender correction. I didn’t read your username) I can imagine that starting a mental health business that hits close to home can feel more vulnerable than starting a business is already, so kudos.

I really appreciate this. Thank you!

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#145

Post by christalwang »

sirsinsalot wrote: post #136

I have ADHD (late diagnosis) and am both medicated and have had years of counselling. The problem with ADHD is that a simple dopamine system deficiency expresses in ways as complex as humans themselves. I found something that works for me but I imagine it wouldn't work for anyone else. Even with thousands spent per year on the best help, I'm still my own worst enemy due to the constant brain discomfort. As an example…

Thank you for sharing your experience. And kudos to all the work you've done.

I definitely agree that our bite-sized coaching is not meant for everyone, nor is it meant for every situation. I am always happy to jump on the phone with any potential Shimmer member to discuss their unique situation and am always honest about if we think we can help or not.

Oftentimes the outcome of this call is simply support from another peer with ADHD (me) and perhaps a soft referral to a service or medical professional we know.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#146

Post by christalwang »

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #137
christalwang wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes! Actually we kind of have a soft rule that in the first few weeks we always make sure you get your session, even if it means rescheduling last minute. This isn't of course the best scenario for our coaches who are waiting on the other end, but we're happy to invest in this to make sure our members get off on the right foot (the onboarding call is very important and must happen to start the coaching relationship).…

Yeah. I mean if people cancel 20% of the time then you could pay the coaches either way and then charge 20% more for the service. At least that is what I am thinking. Maybe it wouldn’t bother the coaches as much if they’re going to get paid either way. Maybe with limits to how often this can occur without a penalty.

Hm, yes. I like it, having kind of a grace period for a certain amount of times per month. This is something I've added to our list of things to look into from today's comments. Thank you!!

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#147

Post by christalwang »

fragmede wrote: post #132
christalwang wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for the suggestion! Unfortunately for our specific service, where the focus is on the coaching relationship between the specific coach and member, doesn't make us best fit for a "drop in" session, at least for the core model. Creating and maintaining a trusting relationship with the coach is a multi-step (multi-week) process and for many members redeveloping this trust with a 2nd/3rd coach may be out of the…

fair point. I wasn't imagining as a sustained thing, but as a "it's 3am, my life is in shambles because I totally time-blindnessed forgot $very_important_thing, and now I'm going to get broken up with/fired and I'm desperate and crying and overwhelmed." kind of first meeting, for capturing forward momentum from new members who just signed up and need a shred of hope. not that something like that is finally what led m…

Ah, understood. Thank you for the clarification.

We currently have 8h/day direct line access to your coach, but definitely see your use case for the 3am example. Kind of like a hot line with an ADHD expert on the other end for support.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#149

Post by galangalalgol »

dec0dedab0de wrote: post #78
cauthon wrote: post #2

Why do you describe your product as "coaching", and not "therapy"? Is this a marketing decision because of a perceived stigma around the term "therapy"? (The re-branding of CBT/ACT to "coaching" and "training" instead of "therapy" strikes me as odd, I don't understand the emphasis on avoiding the term.) Will your company be accepting medical insurance? $350/mo (~$90/session) is roughly half of what billed-to-insuranc…

I heard of coaching in relation to ADHD over a decade ago, it's not something they invented. I don't know anything about Shimmer, so I don't know how well they fit the mold, but as I understand ADHD Coaching: The general idea is that the coaches are there to supplement therapy and/or drugs with practical "in the weeds" advice. A Therapist would worry about making you feel better, and might point you in the direction…

Yeah, my psych makes sure the meds aren't causing problems and does simple mental wellness checks before writing new scripts.

My coach gave me strategies to fit my life. Usually in the form of me presenting a problem, and getting several tricks to try.

I don't think the meds or the coaching would help in isolation. I don't do the coaching now unless I come across a new problem. I have my book of trivks and triggers that remind me to reach for them.

Re: Launch HN: Shimmer (YC S21) – ADHD coaching for adults

#150

Post by christalwang »

andrei_says_ wrote: post #135

What kind of cut do you take for matching coaches with clients? This would likely determine the quality of the coaches.

We use a contractor model (we aren't a marketplace, at least as of now) so close to 100% goes to coach contracting costs right now.

Over time we're working on some other efficiency features and in-app capabilities to support our profitability.

We can definitely vouch for the quality of our coaches though, and a few of them definitely take a pay cut vs. their other contracting jobs because of their personal missions to offer more accessible / affordable solutions to ADHD folks. We're tirelessly working toward our 3 pillars of increasing member value, decreasing cost to member, and increasing payments to coaches per hour.

Thank you for the q!

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