Executive Functioning Coaching
THE MENTAL PROCESSES NECESSARY TO MANAGE LIFE
Executive functioning (EF) skills are the mental processes necessary for us to manage life. These skills include paying attention, remembering directions, planning out and preparing for projects, and multi-tasking.
EF skills involve three types of brain functions:
- Working Memory is what allows us to hold and manipulate information mentally. For example, mental math requires working memory skills. However, we also use working memory when we think about our to-do list and plan what to do next, or when we are looking through a textbook for an answer to a homework question.
- Flexibility is what allows us to change tasks with ease. For example, when a teacher asks you to put away your book and take out your math sheet. Or when you are writing an email and your partner asks you what you need from the grocery store, are you easily able to mentally switch tasks to answer?
- Self-Control is what allows us to stay focused and not become distracted by impulsive thoughts. It can also impact our ability to control our behaviors and emotions. People with poor self-control may blurt out answers, interrupt conversations, fidget, day dream, and be quick to anger.
These are all skills that develop over time, and don’t fully develop until late adolescence/mid 20s. However, some common mental health disorders can impact these skills as well, such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, depression disorders, a history of trauma, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Feeling overly stressed or burned out can also impact your EF skills.
Our EF Coaching service:
For both adult and child clients, our short-term EF Coaching Service will work on building your executive functioning skills. In addition, we have specific parent-sessions built into the child-based service. This additional component teaches parents how to support their child’s executive functioning development. Clients typically work with one of our trained therapists for 6-8 sessions that focus on:
- Identifying areas of needs and creating coaching goals
- Psychoeducation about EF skills
- Teaching and practicing strategies to help improve EF skills
- Setting weekly goals
- Teaching parents how to support children with EF difficulties
- Long-term maintenance, including a follow-up session 2 months after the conclusion of coaching
Click here to contact us and learn more about this service!
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