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What Is Executive Function Coaching?

How Does Executive Function Coaching work? Executive Functions (EF) are the cognitive/thought processes we all use to enable us to get things done, to ‘execute’ everything from basic day-to-day tasks through to complex projects.

We use these skills in all areas of life, from getting through the working day efficiently, to staying on top of our home and personal life. As Individuals, we are not born with all of these skills, they will develop over a person’s life and on average reach full maturity in their early adulthood.

We all have strengths and weaknesses in our Executive Functions and even though EF challenges are associated with types of neurodivergence such as ADHD, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dyslexia,  disabilities and learning difficulties, neurotypical people with no diagnosis can also struggle with EF weaknesses.

For many people with these issues, it is not unusual to become frustrated and discouraged, especially when their challenges can be viewed as laziness.

An Executive Function Coach can help you find practical strategies that work for you. They will help you to develop new routines and support you to create and sustain habits that result in life running more smoothly, allowing you to feel calmer, more in control, and able to self-manage. Below are some useful examples of executive functions a coach can help clients with.

Our Executive Function skills help us:

  • Plan and organise tasks, from working out how long a task will take to identifying the steps we need to take to get there
  • Prioritise what is most important to do first
  • Get us started on a task/goal
  • Help us focus and maintain our attention to keep going with a task
  • Self-monitor in order to complete the task

Executive Function Coaching could help you if:

  • You constantly feel busy but don’t achieve what you want
  • You procrastinate, then if and when you eventually start a task, you find it difficult to keep going and are easily distracted
  • You find everything takes longer than you think it should
  • You end up feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and even a failure

***If you feel you need some help with getting therapy contact us using the form at the bottom of this page and someone will guide you through the process.***

What to expect from Executive Function Coaching

An Executive Function Coach will work with Adults/individuals, adolescents/teenagers, children, families and group work. EF coaching sessions can be short or long-term, but preferably not less than about 8 or so sessions (depending on the client’s issues).

For example, an adolescent who has worked with an EF coach during their secondary school years may have significantly strengthened their executive skills but may still want support, later on, to ensure smooth transitioning through a different stage (e.g. moving from GCSE’S to A levels to university and even launching out into the world of work beyond school/ further education.)

Others (adults or adolescents) may be fine with much shorter-term EF coaching and could be independent of a coach and able to use their strengthened executive skills independently after about 3 months. But they may need or choose to have ongoing support to further implement their strengthened executive skills in different areas of life.

Therapy Issues That Executive Function Coaching Helps With

What is Executive Function Coaching used for?:

Executive functions are all interrelated and they depend on neural circuitry in the prefrontal cortex at the front of the brain.

Some of the client issues that may be helped by strengthening executive functioning are:

Anger Management: If related to weak executive functioning i.e. someone with ADHD or ASD may have weak response inhibition and emotional control hence losing temper more easily.

Life Transitions: A good example of this would be an adult going through big life transitions, such as changing their job or career path, moving house, or studying whilst also holding down a job and family commitments.

Work and family conflict issues: People who struggle in the Executive Function areas of perspective-taking, time management, planning and prioritizing may experience conflict and damage within their workplace environment, family and other relationships.

Substance Abuse & Addiction: For example, someone with ADHD can often have a weak response inhibition (impulse control) which could contribute to why ADHD clients can be more prone to substance abuse and addiction issues.

Below are some of the additional client issues EF coaches deal with that are closely related to executive function coaching and self-regulation.

Panic Attacks, Anxiety and Depression thumb

Stress, Panic Attacks, Anxiety & Depression

Help wellbeing & day-to-day functioning.

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Substance Abuse & Addiction

Helping you to explore the underlying causes of your addiction issues.

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Relationships

Exploring feelings about current & past relationships, or relationships in general.

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Motivation

Helping you set and achieve the goals that are important to you.

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Learning Difficulties & Disabilities

Helping people manage the psychological impact of these & other issues

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Work & Family Conflict Issues

Seeking resolution through short-term goal-oriented forms of counselling.

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Life Transitions

Dealing with important changes or adjustments in your life that impact you.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Helping overcome behavioural patterns.

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Autism

Finding ways to manage your life in a way that is healthy for you.

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Low Self-Esteem & Self-Confidence

Explore the roots of your low self-esteem issues & address your current symptoms.

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Anger Management

Managing the symptoms of your anger issues & controlling your reactions.

Executive Function Coaches Working At HQ Therapy

Executive Function Coaching can help the aforementioned issues if related to weak executive skills, however, if the client has trauma or other psychological issues then another therapeutic approach may be needed first, or used alongside EF.

Below is a selection of our current fully trained Executive Function Coaches working at HQ Therapy that are available to work with clients who will learn how to use Executive Functions techniques and be able to use these skills in all areas of their life incorporating a wide range range of therapeutic modalities.

Choosing the right therapist, counsellor, or coach is an important decision for you when you seek therapeutic help and it is essential that you work with the right practitioner and you both feel comfortable relationship working together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Seek Executive Function Coaching Or Any Theraputic help??

Many people, new to this type of help, believe that they need to be suffering from “mental illness” or serious “psychological problems”, or be in crisis in order for therapy and counselling to be appropriate for them. This is a common misconception; anyone can benefit from therapy when it comes to helping you deal with your personal feelings and problems, make positive changes in your life, and understand yourself better.

So what is therapy and counselling? If you’re new to this world then the first steps can sometimes be the most difficult. Therapy can be a very effective treatment for a whole range of personal problems covering areas from physical and emotional problems, different types of behavioural disorders, through to human sexuality issues and a host of wellbeing and complementary therapy techniques.

Any problem you have that is causing you concern, anxiety or distress is a valid and appropriate reason to reach out and find a therapist and talk to them about it. Far from something to be ashamed of, acknowledging your vulnerability and asking for help is a sign of maturity and strength.

If you feel that you have a desire and are committed to making changes in your life in order to overcome your current problems and achieve more long-term satisfaction, psychological wellbeing and personal fulfilment, then you are ready to seek therapy. We are here to help you work through a wide range of therapy issues that might be troubling you.

Will Information About Me Be Safe & Secure?

It is quite normal to be hesitant when it comes to sharing private and intimate information about yourself with a stranger. You may fear that you will receive judgment from your therapist, or that your therapist will share your details with others.

HQ Therapy Rooms takes your privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Our therapists are required to keep everything said in therapy sessions between you, just like your doctor is required to keep your records private.

For therapy to be effective, there must be unconditional trust built between you and your therapist, and this relies on a shared understanding of confidentiality. It applies to the outside world as well: it is standard practice for therapists not to acknowledge their clients if they run into them outside of the therapy rooms in order to help protect their client’s confidentiality. Read our full privacy policy for more information.

Can I Contact You For Advice About Getting Therapy?

Talking about your thoughts and feelings with a supportive therapist can often make you feel better and help you face your problems. It feels good to be listened to and to know that someone cares about you and wants to help. It is important that you find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and can build a trusting relationship to help you make positive changes in your life.

But how do you know what type of therapy is right for you? Taking the first steps in finding the right therapist can be the biggest hurdle for newcomers, so we have made it easy. Simply get in touch with us using the form below or give us a call at 0203 997 9229 and one of our fully qualified referral therapists can work with you to make sure you connect with the right practitioner and receive the correct therapy and counselling services you require.

However, if you feel you are ready to start therapy straight away then click HERE to book an initial therapy assessment with a fully qualified therapist, or if you are struggling financially click HERE to book an initial therapy assessment with one of our Low-Cost therapists.

Our practitioners deal with a wide range of therapy issues using different types of therapy modalities tailored to the types of clients we work with. We also cater for people who are beset with financial difficulties, offering them services ranging from low-cost therapy and reduced-rate therapy to working with seasoned, qualified and accredited talking therapists.