Executive Function Coaching
We support children, youth, and families in strengthening executive function skills to help them work toward their goals. Executive function skills are the mental processes that are responsible for our ability to initiate, plan and organize, shift (e.g., transitions, flexibility in problem solving), regulate (emotional control), remember instructions, and pay attention. For example, when we plan a big project and we are able to organize our work, our executive function skills are utilized to help us with this process.
While, these skills are essential for learning and growth, our executive function skills don’t fully develop until our mid 20s. There are some important research findings around the challenges children and youth may experience when they have less developed executive function skills. These challenges include the tendency to have lower school performance, experience more conflict with peers and with families, show more behavioural difficulties, and they are more likely to develop mental health concerns. The good news: executive function skills can be developed and strengthened in many different ways. Some of these are described in our blog article here.
Our Program: MIND FLEX Executive Function Coaching
Program Overview:
Our 10-week “Mind Flex” Executive Function Coaching Program is designed to help your child build essential skills for academic and personal success. Through engaging activities and practical strategies, your child will develop the ability to plan, organize, and manage their time effectively, while also improving emotional regulation and problem-solving skills.
Key Benefits for Your Child:
Goal Setting & Planning: Discover how to set SMART goals and prioritize tasks, creating a clear roadmap for academic and personal achievements.
Emotional Identification & Management: Learn to identify and manage emotions effectively, using mindfulness techniques to improve mood and reduce stress.
Sustained Attention & Meta-Cognition: Develop strategies to maintain focus on tasks and understand their own thinking processes, enhancing learning and productivity.
Flexibility & Problem-Solving: Build flexible thinking skills to adapt to changing situations and approach problems with creative solutions.
Organization & Time Management: Master organizational skills and time management techniques, including visual tools and planning methods to stay on track.
Parent Involvement:
The program begins with a joint session for parents and children to discuss goals and set expectations. You’ll play a key role throughout the program by supporting your child’s progress and reinforcing their skills at home.
*Our executive function coaching is an individualized and strength-based approach. We work with our clients on the specific skills that they would like to target.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We use various evidence-based strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychoeducational approaches that help strengthen executive function skills. Our coaches have been well trained in understanding executive function skills and what helps optimize our brain.
Above all, we always consider the client’s goals and personal preferences for these sessions, which may include engaging clients in more interactive and engaging activities, not just talking.
Parents are also part of the process to ensure these skills are better generalized outside of our sessions. Parents will be taught skills to support their child/ youth in strengthening these executive function skills.
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Our coaching is individually tailored, though it is recommended to have at least 10 regular (weekly or biweekly) sessions. This allows for the child/ youth to select some goals and work toward them.
Our sessions build on each other and we have ongoing check-ins to ensure reflection and progress. We also continue to explore any ongoing challenges and problem solve around these.
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Yes! We offer coaching services remotely through secure video sessions. However, you must be physically present in Ontario during your video coaching sessions.
Join Our Team!
We love supporting our community and we continuously look to expand our team with like-minded and passionate clinicians and volunteers. If you are interested in joining our team, please send a cover letter and your CV/ resume to contact@mkpsychologycentre.com.
At this time, we do not offer practicum placements for psychotherapy students.
