Guided by Experience. Driven by Purpose.

My name is Sandy Birkenhauer, and ADHD has been part of my story since I was 7 years old.

My teachers noticed early on that I was constantly fidgeting, talking, and struggling to pay attention in class. An ADHD diagnosis soon followed. It became clear pretty quickly that I wasn’t built to sit still for long or thrive in environments that didn’t genuinely interest me. Spoiler alert: a desk job in finance after college wasn’t the answer.

After eight years behind a desk, I made the leap from finance to nursing, and it completely changed the direction of my life. Becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner finally gave my brain what it had been searching for: meaningful work, constant variety, the opportunity to stay active, and the ability to support children and families in a real and lasting way.

Working with kids and families navigating ADHD in primary care, I saw firsthand how powerful it can be when someone realizes they aren’t broken, they simply have a brain that works differently. Overtime I realized I wanted to do more than just witness those moments. I wanted to help individuals with ADHD better understand themselves, build confidence in their strengths, and learn how to work with their ADHD instead of constantly fighting against it. That passion is what led me to pursue ADHD coaching.

Today, I help individuals better understand how their brain works while building practical strategies for school, work, relationships, and daily life. My goal is to help clients recognize that ADHD comes with challenges, but it also comes with incredible strengths when they learn how to work with their unique wiring instead of against it.

I still practice part-time as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and that balance is exactly what my ADHD brain needs. The variety keeps me energized, and it allows me to make an impact in both settings: supporting patients in the clinic and clients through coaching. Two different lanes, the same mission.

Outside of work, I live at the Jersey Shore with my husband, two sons who both have ADHD, and two dogs. It’s a household that keeps me humble, laughing, and deeply connected to the work I do every day.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply ready to better understand how your ADHD brain works, I would love to connect and share how coaching can help.

Education & Credentials

• BS in Business Administration, Bucknell University

• BS and MS in Nursing, Columbia University

• Certified Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS)

• ADHD Coach Training: ADD Coach Academy (ADDCA) -Accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the Professional Association of ADHD Coaches (PAAC)