Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025Executive function challenges affect millions of individuals, from students struggling with organization to adults managing complex work responsibilities. If you're experiencing difficulties with time management, focus, planning, or emotional regulation, an executive function coach might be the mental health professional you need. This comprehensive guide will help you understand what executive function coaching involves, how to find the right coach, and what to expect from this specialized form of support.
Executive Function Coach, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Psychotherapist
810 Iredell Street, Durham, North Carolina 27705
Lisa Jurecic is a Executive Function Coach in Durham, North Carolina and has been in practice for 25 years. They treat Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders, School Concerns, Coping with Stress.
Specializing in the treatment of undergraduate and graduate students for mood disorders and ADHD/Executive Function Disorders.
Other, Executive Function Coach
3306 Octavia Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606
Shannon Bellezza is a Other in Raleigh, North Carolina and has been in practice for 15 years. They treat School Concerns, College and School Placement, Disability.
I specialize in supporting students with learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety, and other disabilities so that they can improve academic outcomes.
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Counselor, Executive Function Coach
7406 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Mackenzie Martin is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in Raleigh, North Carolina and has been in practice for 1 years. They treat Relationship(s) with Friends/Roommates, Depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Through our work together, I will highlight the strengths that you already hold as we create new strategies for mindfulness, self-regulation, and balance.
Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, Certified Trauma Professional, Counselor, Hypnotherapist, Executive Function Coach, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Nutritionist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Registered Dietitian, Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
111 Majorca Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Miami Counseling & Resource Center is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist in Coral Gables, Florida and has been in practice for 25 years. They treat Sleep Concerns, Learning Disorder, Depression.
We are a diverse team of 19 highly trained psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and a nutritionist working hard each day for you.
Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Licensed Master Level Psychologist (LMLP), Executive Function Coach, Counselor, Certified Trauma Professional, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
8211 Village Harbor Drive, Cornelius, North Carolina 28031
Sachi Mehta is a Psychotherapist in Cornelius, North Carolina and has been in practice for 24 years. They treat Racial Identity, Eating Concerns, Chronic Illness/Pain.
I welcome and affirm clients of all identities and background in my practice.
Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Executive Function Coach
2600 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85282
Gurjot Marwah MD is a Psychiatrist in Tempe, Arizona. They treat Psychosis, Financial Concerns, Self-Harm.
Psychiatrist at ASU 27 years of experience offering therapy & medication management for undergrad and grad students at ASU in a compassionate environment.
An executive function coach is a specialized professional who helps individuals develop and strengthen the cognitive skills needed for daily life success. Executive functions are the basic skills of self-management that allow us to set goals and achieve them. They include areas like staying focused, being organized, planning and prioritizing and recognizing when we're off track and figuring out how to recover.
Executive Function Coaching (EFC) is a personalized, structured support service that helps individuals strengthen these key mental skills. Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on processing emotions and past experiences, executive function coaching is action-oriented and skill-building focused. Coaches work collaboratively with clients to develop practical strategies for managing daily tasks, improving organizational systems, and building sustainable habits.
Executive function coaches typically address core areas including working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, time management, task initiation, organization, planning, and self-monitoring. These professionals bridge the gap between clinical mental health services and practical life skills training.
People with ADHD are more prone to struggle with these critical cognitive skills, but they're not the only people looking for support. ADHD executive function coaches specialize in understanding the unique neurological differences that affect attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These coaches are particularly valuable because they recognize that ADHD brains work differently, not deficiently.
An ADHD executive function coach focuses on helping clients work with their brain's natural patterns rather than against them. They understand that traditional organizational systems often fail for individuals with ADHD and instead develop personalized approaches that account for dopamine-driven motivation, hyperfocus periods, and attention regulation challenges.
These coaches often incorporate ADHD-specific strategies such as body doubling (working alongside someone for accountability), breaking large tasks into micro-steps, using external motivators, and creating environmental modifications that support focus and organization.
Executive skills training through coaching involves systematic skill development across multiple domains. The process typically begins with a comprehensive assessment to identify specific strengths and challenges. EF coaching is a designed alliance that empowers clients to improve their ability to experience successful outcomes in school and life.
Training components usually include:
Time Management and Planning: Learning to estimate time accurately, create realistic schedules, and break projects into manageable components. Coaches help clients develop systems for prioritizing tasks and managing competing demands.
Organization Systems: Developing personalized systems for managing physical spaces, digital files, and information. This includes creating sustainable filing systems, managing paperwork, and organizing living and working environments.
Task Initiation and Completion: Building skills for starting difficult or overwhelming tasks and following through to completion. Coaches teach strategies for overcoming procrastination and maintaining momentum.
Attention and Focus Management: Learning techniques for maintaining concentration, managing distractions, and optimizing work environments for sustained attention.
Self-Monitoring and Metacognition: Developing awareness of one's own thinking processes, recognizing when strategies aren't working, and adjusting approaches as needed.
Emotional Regulation: Building skills for managing frustration, anxiety, and overwhelm that often accompany executive function challenges.
The training is highly individualized, with coaches adapting their approach based on each client's learning style, life circumstances, and specific goals.
College presents unique executive function challenges, as students must navigate increased independence, complex schedules, and higher academic demands. EF coaching teaches students how to organize, plan, prioritize, manage time, maintain focus, and study efficiently.
Executive function coaching for college students typically addresses:
Academic Planning: Developing semester-long planning strategies, managing multiple course requirements, and balancing academic, social, and work responsibilities.
Study Skills and Learning Strategies: Teaching effective note-taking methods, study techniques that work with individual learning styles, and test preparation strategies.
Transition Support: Helping students adjust to college life, navigate new social environments, and manage homesickness or anxiety.
Independent Living Skills: Supporting students in managing daily life tasks such as laundry, meal planning, financial management, and maintaining living spaces.
Course Load Management: Learning to balance challenging coursework, understand when to seek help, and make informed decisions about course selection and academic pacing.
Many colleges now offer executive function coaching services through their disability services offices or counseling centers. Some institutions have dedicated executive function specialists who work specifically with students who have ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, or other conditions affecting executive function.
Understanding the difference between an executive skills coach and other mental health professionals can help you make the best choice for your needs. Executive skills coaches focus specifically on building practical, daily life skills rather than addressing underlying mental health conditions.
Coaches vs. Therapists: Therapists are licensed mental health professionals who can diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They often focus on processing emotions, trauma, and past experiences. Coaches, while they may have mental health training, primarily focus on skill-building and future-oriented goal achievement.
Coaches vs. Psychiatrists: Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and treat mental health conditions from a medical perspective. Coaches cannot prescribe medication but can work collaboratively with psychiatrists to support clients who are taking medication for ADHD or other conditions.
Coaches vs. Educational Therapists: Educational therapists typically work with learning differences and academic skills, while executive function coaches address broader life skills that extend beyond academic settings.
Many individuals benefit from combining executive function coaching with other forms of mental health support. For example, someone might work with a therapist to address anxiety while simultaneously working with an executive function coach to develop organizational systems.
The rise of telehealth has made online executive function coaching increasingly popular and accessible. Online coaching offers several advantages:
Geographic Flexibility: You can work with coaches regardless of your location, accessing specialists who might not be available in your area.
Scheduling Convenience: Online sessions often offer more flexible scheduling options, making it easier to fit coaching into busy schedules.
Environmental Comfort: Some clients feel more comfortable and open when working from their own environment.
Technology Integration: Online coaches can easily share screens to help with digital organization, demonstrate software tools, and provide real-time support with technology-based organizational systems.
Cost Effectiveness: Online coaching may be more affordable due to reduced overhead costs.
When selecting an online executive function coach, ensure they have reliable technology, maintain professional boundaries, and can provide the same quality of service as in-person coaching. Many coaches offer hybrid models, combining video sessions with phone check-ins and email support.
Selecting the right executive function coach requires careful consideration of your specific needs, preferences, and circumstances. Here are key factors to evaluate:
Credentials and Training: While coaching may not require formal licensure, obtaining certification from a reputable organization lends credibility to your practice and assures clients of your competency and professionalism. Look for coaches who have completed specialized training in executive function coaching through organizations like the Executive Function Coaching Academy or other recognized certification programs.
Experience and Specialization: Consider coaches who have experience with your specific challenges. If you have ADHD, look for coaches with ADHD specialization. If you're a college student, seek coaches experienced in supporting students.
Approach and Philosophy: Different coaches use different methodologies. Some focus on cognitive-behavioral approaches, others emphasize mindfulness-based strategies, and some integrate multiple approaches. Choose a coach whose philosophy aligns with your preferences and values.
Practical Considerations: Consider factors such as cost, insurance coverage, scheduling flexibility, and whether you prefer in-person or online sessions.
Executive function coaching availability and regulations vary significantly across states and regions. Here's what to consider based on your location:
Urban vs. Rural Areas: Urban areas typically have more coaching options, including specialized ADHD centers and coaching practices. Rural areas may have fewer local options, making online coaching particularly valuable.
State Regulations: Coaching is generally unregulated, meaning coaches don't need state licensure. However, some coaches also hold licenses as therapists, counselors, or educational specialists, which are regulated at the state level.
Insurance Coverage: Insurance coverage for executive function coaching varies by state and provider. Some states have better coverage for ADHD-related services, while others may consider coaching a non-covered service. Check with your insurance provider about coverage for coaching services.
Regional Specializations: Some regions have developed particular expertise in certain areas. For example, areas with major universities often have more coaches specializing in college student support.
Cost Variations: Coaching costs vary significantly by region, with major metropolitan areas typically having higher rates than smaller cities or rural areas.
Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.
