Frequently Asked Questions
Most parents who find us have already tried a lot. Here are the questions we hear most, with straight answers. If yours isn't here, we're happy to talk it through on a free 30-minute call.
The basics
What is executive function coaching?
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Executive function coaching teaches a student the skills behind getting things done: starting, planning, remembering, managing time, handling frustration, and recovering when something goes wrong. A coach works with your student on their real assignments, calendar, and daily routines, not on practice worksheets. We work with students from elementary school through college.
Is executive function coaching only about school?
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School is where it shows up most, but the skills reach well beyond it. Starting a task, managing time, handling frustration, and recovering from mistakes matter in mornings, chores, friendships, and eventually jobs. We use school as the practice ground because students get real practice there every day.
Is coaching the same as tutoring or therapy?
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No. Tutoring teaches academic content like math or writing, and coaching teaches the skills around the work: how to start it, plan it, keep track of it, and finish it. Coaching also isn't therapy or an ADHD evaluation. Our coaches don't diagnose anything or provide therapy. Many of our students have ADHD, and some don't have a diagnosis at all.
At home and in daily life
Can coaching help with morning routines and getting out the door?
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Yes, when mornings are where things break down. Your coach works with your student on the real routine: what has to happen, in what order, and how long each piece takes. Together they build a visual clock and a short written sequence, try it, and adjust what doesn't work. Your student builds the system, so it fits how they actually work.
Does coaching help with big emotional reactions?
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Yes. Self-awareness and self-regulation come first in our coaching. Coaches teach students to notice their battery level, check whether their reaction matches the size of the problem, and pause, reset, and try again. Students practice these tools in real moments, so they have language for them at home too.
Will coaching help my child follow through on chores and homework?
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It can. Coaches teach students to ask "what's the plan?", to define what done looks like, and to name the literal first step. They practice on real tasks, like a chore, an assignment, or a project, instead of talking about it in theory. Over time your student takes over the thinking that used to come from you.
Will I still have to remind my child every day?
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Less over time. Coaches build a system your student owns, like a calendar, checklist, or phone reminders, and the support moves in steps: the coach prompts, then the system prompts, then your student does it on their own. We can't promise reminders disappear. The goal is for you to stop being the reminder system.
What is my role at home while my child is in coaching?
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Your coach tells you what they're working on and what to try, so you aren't guessing. You get a monthly 15-minute check-in, weekly communication, and email access between sessions. Most of your part is asking "what's the plan?" and letting your student try, adjust, and try again. Many families find the fighting eases because you're no longer coach, reminder, and enforcer all at once. We can't promise the arguments disappear, because kids are still kids.
How coaching works
How does executive function coaching work?
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Each student works one-on-one with a coach over Zoom. Full-Time coaching starts with an introductory session, then includes three 50-minute sessions a month, a 15-minute parent check-in, weekly parent and coach communication, and light email support between sessions. In each session, your student and coach open the real assignments and calendar, make a plan, try it, and adjust what didn't work.
Why do all new students start with Full-Time coaching, and how long does it last?
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The first one to three months need steady contact. That's when a coach gets to know your student, finds where things break down, and builds the foundation that makes everything after it stick. Once your student is ready, they can step down to Part-Time coaching or join Homework Club, and they can graduate out whenever they're ready. Readiness is based on what your student is doing, not on the calendar.
What is Homework Club?
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Homework Club is a small-group session for high school students on Sunday evenings, with up to four students per group. Students update their calendars and plan the week, then work on real homework with a coach nearby. It's available after at least one to three months of Full-Time coaching.
Cost and fit
How much does executive function coaching cost?
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Full-Time coaching is $525 a month. Part-Time coaching is $375 a month, and Homework Club is $375 a month. An optional School & Support Team Collaboration add-on is $100 a month. You can see what's included in each on our Coaching Packages & Pricing page.
Do you take insurance, and can I pay with an HSA or FSA?
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We don't take insurance. Most families are able to pay with an HSA or FSA, but eligibility depends on your plan, so check with your plan administrator before you enroll.
Will coaching guarantee better grades?
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We can't promise that. Coaching builds skills, and kids are still kids. What you can expect is a student who understands how their brain works, uses systems that fit them, and needs less reminding over time. Progress is usually gradual and uneven, and your coach will tell you what they're seeing.
What if my child doesn't want to do coaching?
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Your student doesn't need to be excited. "Not thrilled but open" is a fine place to start. Coaching is collaborative and strengths-based, so it won't feel like another adult pointing out what's wrong. You can also decide whether your child joins the free consultation call.
Getting started
How do I get started?
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Book a free 30-minute consultation with the coach you'd like to work with. You'll talk through what's going on, ask questions, and learn how coaching works. There's no obligation and no sales pitch. All coaching happens over Zoom, so families can work with us from anywhere. If you're not ready for a call, our free Executive Function Guide is a good place to begin.