The Deliberate Psychotherapy Collaborative
Executive Functioning Coaching
There is a myth that you just take ADHD medication when you need to focus or study and that will fix all of your executive functioning issues, but this is not the case. You probably notice that even if you can hand in your homework assignments or work projects on time, you are probably still struggling to take your garbage out, fold your laundry or respond to text messages.
Executive dysfunction can negatively impact all areas of our lives including relationships, work progress, self-care, and even completing mundane tasks (if you have a sink full of dirty dishes now, you should keep reading).
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We specialize in high functioning ADHD. Does this sound like you (whether or not you are officially diagnosed)
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Never study or only study at the very last minute
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Graduated from high school or undergrad with good grades but are struggling with work/grad school (eg: late with projects, hard time finishing deadlines, or do well at work but can’t balance cleaning your apartment and socializing)
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You either can’t get anything done or you do everything all at once
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ADHD is often misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Some people have been treated for depression and anxiety, which are often related to ADHD but the Executive dysfunction persists when ADHD is not treated.
​What is Executive
Functioning?
Executive functioning helps us to effectively and efficiently complete tasks and interact with others.
Executive functioning includes:
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Planning and organizing
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Managing time
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Problem-solving
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Working memory
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Controlling our emotions and our impulses
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Monitoring and learning from our behavior and past mistakes and forecasting future consequences.
The Components of Executive Functioning
EF skills work when we can complete assignments on time, problem-solve through a challenge, or respond to a disruption in routine. We can monitor time, organize our lives, control impulses like not interrupting people, prioritize which tasks are important, initiate small tasks, and more.
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These are the common skills addressed in executive functioning coaching.
Self-Monitoring
Task Initiation
Time Management
Planning
Problem Solving
Organization
Executive Functioning Skills
Flexibility
Attentional Control
Impulse Control
Emotional Control
Working Memory
Coaching focuses on tangible actions and strategies to target the specific areas that you struggle with and help create new habits that are sustainable for you. We can set up a plan that makes sense for you. We can either target one area like organization, or all of the areas. We can also integrate other kinds of skills that target your negative self-talk that is common with ADHD.