Executive Functioning Coaching in New York
“Executive functioning” has entered the popular lexicon only relatively recently.
Many students and parents haven’t yet fully grasped what it even means, let alone why their teacher/school counselor/neuropsychologist etc. is referring them for EF coaching.
Moreover, many students referred for coaching are, at least on the surface, actually performing quite well academically. But the reality is that students often master content without necessarily mastering the process of learning that content, and that’s where EF coaching can be enormously helpful.
I’ve spent many years doing EF coaching with elementary, middle, and high schoolers as well as college students. I'm intimately familiar with the New York City private and public school systems and often see students who need academic and executive functioning support alongside more traditional mental health care. As many parents are looking for a coach who has both expertise in executive functioning and a background in mental health, I receive a large number of referrals for EF work.
The Details:
Executive functioning work can be difficult to wrap your mind around without actually seeing it up close in action.
Organizational Tutors, a New York City-based coaching and tutoring company I’ve been involved with for many years, provides some excellent background as well as many useful resources. You can also read more about what, specifically, this kind of work looks like in this New York Times article featuring several of my colleagues.
As EF coaching is distinct from (and therefore not subject to the same regulatory oversight as) therapy, the session length and format can be more flexible and really depend on the individual student’s needs.
How Coaching Helps:
Everyone’s situation is of course unique, but some of the executive functioning issues I encounter most frequently and can help address include:
Physical and digital organization
Messy backpacks, lost homework, Google Drives full of “Untitled” documents, email inboxes overflowing with spam
Time management
Late to school, forgetful of appointments, always doing things last minute
Prioritization and planning
Trouble deciding what to tackle, when, and how
Problem-solving and frustration tolerance
Inability to think creatively, meltdowns when things get too difficult
Attention and focus
The phone! Distractibility in all its forms
Motivation and effort
Complacency, a “Why do I need to learn this?” attitude
Cognitive rigidity
Black-and-white thinking, stubbornness
Reading/Writing Skills
Note-taking skills, study skills, reading and writing skills, etc.
Many of the students I’ve worked with are neurodivergent (ADHD, ASD, learning disabilities, etc.), and almost all experience stress related to academic performance.
New York City schools can be uniquely pressure-filled environments, and students and parents alike are often relieved to engage the support of an expert coach who knows the ins and outs of the system.
How will I know you’re the right executive functioning coach for my student?
You won’t necessarily!
And I won’t, either, until we have a chance to discuss your situation in more detail.
ambitious and high achieving, often within “high-powered” families
underachieving, feeling directionless and unmotivated
struggling with forming friendships with their peers
glued to their phones or games and at a loss as to how to develop offscreen interests
lacking in skills to regulate their emotional outbursts
ambivalent, reluctant, or oppositional when it comes to EF Coaching
I’ve historically worked well with students who are:
I won’t guarantee straight As, perfect test scores, or HYP admission.
But I can more or less guarantee that having an experienced professional supporting your student through the many challenges of academic life will help relieve stress for everyone involved—and probably make things at least a little easier around the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your availability?
Please get in touch with me directly to discuss scheduling availability.
How much do sessions cost?
The current rate is $350 for a 60-minute session, either in person or virtual. Shorter/longer sessions are prorated based on 15-minute increments.
Do you still do in-home sessions?
The short answer is: no. I’ve done in-home EF coaching for many years but am currently phasing it out. All sessions take place either at my office or online via Zoom.
Can you see clients outside New York State?
Yes! I’ve worked with many students in college or boarding school out of state, and there are no geographical restrictions like there are with therapy.
Is this considered therapy? Can I receive reimbursement from my insurance company?
No, unfortunately. EF coaching is not therapy. It may be the case that your student is better suited for individual therapy with EF work integrated. Please get in touch with me directly to discuss the particulars of your situation.
Where is your office located?
My office is at 220 W. 71st St., Suite 1, New York, NY 10023. That’s on the Upper West Side, just off 72nd & Broadway.
The best way to determine whether we're a good fit is to get the conversation going.
Reach Out:
Get in touch below to schedule a complimentary consultation call via phone or Zoom. Even if I don’t have any availability (or we’re not a match after all), I’m often able to provide referrals to other trusted colleagues within my professional network.