Maddy Buxton, M.A., C.A.L.C.
Maddy Buxton has a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, a Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and is a Certified ADHD Life Coach living in Atlanta, Georgia. Her background is in theater, having graduated Magna Cum Laude from Savannah College of Art and design with a BFA in Performing Arts. While working in the entertainment industry for years in various jobs as a writer, improviser, producer, actor, and production assistant she was battling fibromyalgia and arthritis, and was looking for more meaningful work to help people like herself that wouldn’t require her to be on her feet for 12+ hours a day.
As her health got worse, she moved back home to be with her family and did some more soul searching. While there, several members of her family were going through their own health journeys and got diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Learning about ADHD, a lot of pieces of her life and family dynamic fell into place and made a lot more sense. While she never received an ADHD diagnosis herself, the symptoms between fibromyalgia and ADHD overlap considerably (and if they are later to be discovered to be two sides of the same diseased coin she would not be surprised). She found the research on ADHD fascinating and discovered the profession of ADHD Life Coaching.
While attending classes at the IACT Center and learning more about Life Coaching, she noticed the striking parallels between the worlds of Life Coaching and her first love- improvisational comedy. Coaching is a partnership, and being on an improv team is, well, just that- teamwork. Each believes that their partner(s) are creative, resourceful, whole, and smart. Coaches and improvisers must actively listen and be 100% present with their partner and never make assumptions. Trust is the name of the game overall.
Maddy wanted to do more for her coaching clients, and found the ethical scope of practice for coaching limiting. Coaching is helpful, but sometimes does not get to the root of the problems clients face. She decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She graduated in August, 2023 and is currently working towards full licensure to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Maddy loves her work as a mental health counselor, and finds combining both therapy and coaching incredibly beneficial for her clients.
For fun, Maddy enjoys spending time with her fiancé, her dogs Podrick and Tarly, and her cat Sophie. She also plays Dungeons and Dragons, and is currently working on a way to incorporate D&D into group therapy. She loves puzzles, hiking, board games, spending time with friends and family, and going to the beach or lake.
Maddy could go on and on about these topics, so if you would like to know more about Coaching, Mental Health Counseling, or anything else, you will just have to schedule a free consultation with her.
