Executive Dysfunction: Therapy vs. Executive Function Coaching
Now that you’ve read our last blog and you’re more familiar with what executive dysfunction looks like, let’s explore ways of addressing it. As discussed in the last blog, there are myriad ways to address executive dysfunction including psychiatry, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. This week we are going to focus on mental health therapy and executive function coaching, and how they can help address executive dysfunction.
Therapy and Coaching for Executive Dysfunction
If you are looking for therapy to address executive dysfunction there are a couple different routes you can go down for that. You can find a therapist that specializes in executive dysfunction or related conditions like ADHD or autism. You can also look for a therapist who doesn’t specialize in treating executive dysfunction, but understands it and treats conditions that may cause executive dysfunction like depression or trauma.
Therapy for Executive Dysfunction
Therapy is a place to process emotions and trauma and therapists have specialized training that allows them to diagnose and treat mental health disorders.
A therapy session will likely include discussion of thoughts, feelings and behaviors with the therapist listening, providing feedback, and asking questions to deepen understanding. Therapy focuses a lot on emotional experiences. It is likely to explore the past in addition to whatever is going on in the present.
What therapy sessions look like can vary widely based on the therapeutic techniques being used. For example, in cognitive behavioral therapy you’ll take a close look at common anxious thoughts that come up for you. Then, you’ll learn new tools you can use when you feel upset or anxious. If anxiety is one of the forces behind your executive dysfunction, this can be really helpful. If trauma or PTSD is causing your executive dysfunction, a trauma therapist can help you process your traumatic experiences. Therapists are unlikely to be super directive – ie they won’t give advice. Therapists will work with you to develop the insight needed to address your struggles.
Regardless of the type of therapy you end up with, a skilled therapist can help decrease mental health symptoms that may lead to executive dysfunction and improve functioning. Therapy can be short or long term and is often covered by insurance in some way, whether your therapist takes your insurance directly or if your insurance company reimburses you afterwards.
Coaching for Executive Dysfunction
Executive function coaching is a place to improve skills, habits, and mindsets. In therapy, therapists work on developing your insight to help you figure out how to improve your executive functioning. An executive function coach will directly suggest ideas and strategies to improve your executive functioning. Executive function coaches have specific expertise in that area – whether it comes from a coaching certification or an advanced degree in a relevant area.
An executive function coaching session will work to directly address areas of executive dysfunction in your life. You may work on developing general strategies for scheduling, organization, time management, or dealing with procrastination. You may also work really specific strategies – like how to pay your bills on time or keep your kitchen clean. Executive function coaches also can also develop routines to get enough sleep or get out of the house on time. In addition to developing strategies and routines, an executive function coach may help you directly with tasks impacted by your executive dysfunction. In sessions you may end up making lists, sending emails, paying bills, and more.
Executive function coaching is likely to be a shorter term commitment compared to therapy. Like therapy, you may meet with a coach on a regular basis (weekly, for example). You could reach out to a coach to help get you out of overwhelm more quickly (longer sessions closer together). Executive function coaching is not generally covered by insurance in any way.
Therapy and Executive Function Coaching: Working Together
Coaching and therapy often work hand in hand. They both provide a non-judgmental space to work on self-acceptance, coping skills, mindfulness, shame reduction, and growth. Both therapists and coaches are primed to validate your feelings and experiences. Addressing your executive dysfunction needs might be a question of or (therapist OR coach) or it may be making space for AND.
Some Examples
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, a therapist and/or dietitian can provide diagnosis and treatment for that issue. An executive function coach can help you with executive function related eating issues like creating grocery lists that work for you or organizing your kitchen to make it more accessible. An executive function coach can also help you get your ducks in a row so you can get set up with a higher level of care or can help you create schedules that work with the treatment plans laid out by your therapist or dietitian.
If you are struggling with depression, your therapist will work to understand and treat your depression symptoms with a variety of therapeutic techniques. Both therapists and executive function coaches will help you build and use coping skills to manage your symptoms of depression. An executive function coach can also help you build a morning routine that helps you get out bed on time or help you figure out accommodations for chores and hygiene tasks that may feel difficult when you are depressed.
If you find yourself in crises, a therapist can help get you out of that crisis. After a crisis, an executive function coach can help make a list of the things you’ve fallen behind on and help you prioritize and schedule getting those things done. They may even sit with you while you do them. They can help figure out systems that can prevent things in your life from getting as out of hand if another crisis were to occur in the future.
Finding the Support You Need
If you are looking for support with executive dysfunction, it’s important to find someone that is a good fit for your specific situation. Wondering what to ask a potential therapist or executive function coach? Here are some ideas:
How do you view the difference between laziness and executive dysfunction?
What is your experience/expertise with _____ (chronic illness, neurodivergence, etc)?
If I have a hard time following through on things we discuss, how would you handle that?
How do you handle ______(lateness, missed appointments, interrupting, etc)?
How do you handle situations where typical techniques or strategies don’t work?
What accommodations do you offer during sessions (sensory-friendly environment, flexible scheduling, virtual appointments)?
What is your philosophy on neurodiversity, and how does it influence your practice?
Reach Out For Support
If this is you or someone you care about, there are resources available!
