Frequently Asked Questions
Executive functioning and self-regulation skills are the higher-level cognitive processes that allow us to plan, perform, and complete tasks in their entirety, while managing priorities, time, and maintaining focus. Although these skills are correlated with lifelong achievement, as children, we don’t inherently possess them. Rather, we have the potential to develop them given the ‘right’ environment. Only then, can we learn, practice, and internalize them in order to utilize them and achieve success.
Academic Achievement and Professional Success
Research suggests that students with strong executive functioning skills are better able to manage their time, plan ahead, organize materials, focus attention, and complete tasks, all of which are essential for academic success. For adults, executive functioning is crucial for productivity, communication, and time management. Weaknesses in executive functioning can lead to missed deadlines, difficulty prioritizing tasks, or challenges with attention and working memory, all of which can negatively impact job performance. In fact, executive functioning is one of the strongest predictors of workplace success, financial stability, relationship quality, and even physical health.
Mental Health, Emotional Regulation, and Daily Life Management
Executive functioning is closely linked to emotional self-regulation, and individuals with poor executive functioning skills may struggle to manage stress, frustration, or anxiety, and may have difficulty adapting to change or recovering from setbacks. Beyond school and work, executive functioning skills are central to managing daily life — from remembering appointments to making decisions, organizing living spaces, cooking meals, and navigating social interactions.
Although academic coaching may overlap with traditional tutoring, our work goes far beyond short-term academic fixes. The goal is not simply to survive the crisis of the day, but to develop lifelong learning strategies and systems that support long-term growth and confidence. Academic coaching focuses on building the skills and habits of effective, independent learners.
We work with children and adults who struggle at school, work, and home due to a lack of executive functioning skills. Some clients have received diagnoses or experience learning difficulties. Others simply feel frustrated and discouraged because they find that they’re spinning their wheels and making little progress despite their best efforts. Some have been incorrectly labeled as lazy by teachers, parents, and peers, but the truth is that they just haven’t learned these foundational tools and strategies. Anyone who is receptive to learning new skills, tools and strategies, and wants to experience increased productivity, confidence, and personal/professional growth would be a great fit for coaching.
Coaching does not qualify as a medical necessity and is typically considered an out of pocket expense. However, some of our clients have used 529 plan funds, or have received reimbursement through OPWDD self-directed plans. Please contact your plan providers to determine whether those are options for you. Please understand that all tuition is due by the program deadline, and clients are responsible for handling their own reimbursement.
This transformative process is not product based; we focus on the process of learning, practicing, and internalizing foundational skills, to create effective life learners. Our clients’ confidence grows as they become more efficient, effective and independent at school, work, and home. Progress speed can vary greatly and is dependent on breadth of needs as well as each individual’s motivation to change.
Sessions are structured according to a 55-minute clinical hour (27-minute half hour). The student and academic coach will meet for approximately 50 minutes (22-minutes for a 30-minute session). Afterwards, several minutes will be dedicated to a brief meeting between the parent/guardian and myself. The purpose of this short discussion is to review student progress and answer any questions regarding that day’s session. If greater follow-up is needed, a phone conference can be scheduled for a different time, and billing will be subject to the hourly rate.