How to Use Your Psychology or Speech Language Pathology Degree for a Career in Executive Function Coaching
- Sean G. McCormick
- Nov 5
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 6
This article is brought to you by the Special Educator's 10-Minute Transition Toolkit.
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Graduating with a degree in psychology, speech-language pathology, or a helping profession does not have to mean years of grad school or waiting for licensure to make an impact.
In this post, you’ll learn how executive function coaching can become a fulfilling, flexible, and financially rewarding career path that uses your existing skills right away.
Table of Contents:
You’ve just tossed your graduation cap in the air.
The diploma is in hand, a testament to years of hard work studying psychology, speech-language pathology, or another helping profession.
So…now what?
The traditional path often involves more school, hefty student loans, and a long road to licensure.
But what if there was a way to use your degree right now, make a great income, and find incredible work-life balance?
If you have your degree in hand and you’re ready to pursue a fulfilling career, you may want to consider executive function coaching.
It’s not a detour, nor is it a side gig.
Instead, it’s a powerful career path that will allow you to apply your hard-earned knowledge to make a real difference in people’s lives.
But what is it? Is it lucrative? And most importantly, how will the skills you’ve already honed through your studies serve you as an executive function coach?
What is Executive Function Coaching?
You may find it helpful to think of executive functions as the CEO of your brain.
They’re the set of mental skills that help you get things done.
The list of skills is long, but includes things like:
planning your day
managing your time
staying organized
shifting your focus from one task to another
When these skills are strong, life feels manageable.
When they’re weak, even simple tasks can feel like climbing a mountain.
An executive function coach is a supportive partner who helps clients strengthen these crucial skills.
You're not a therapist digging into the past.
Instead, you're a strategist focused on the present and future.
Essentially, you work with clients to develop practical systems and habits.
This could mean:
helping a high school student create a homework schedule that actually works
guiding a professional to organize their overwhelming inbox
teaching an adult with ADHD some helpful techniques for emotional regulation
For graduates in fields like speech pathology, psychology, and occupational therapy, this work should sound pretty familiar.
You’ve already been trained to help people develop strategies, overcome challenges, and build new cognitive pathways.
EF coaching is a natural extension of that training, applied in a focused, high-impact way.
If you prefer a video on this topic, check out my YouTube video on everything you need to know about EF coaching.👇
Why Executive Function Coaching is a Great Pathway for Recent Graduates
We get it: the post-grad reality can be tough.
You're eager to start your career, but the traditional routes can feel slow and expensive.
Executive function coaching offers a compelling alternative.
Why?👇
1. Faster Path to Income Stability
The traditional route to becoming a licensed therapist, counselor, or SLP often requires a master's degree or more, which means more time and more debt.
The average cost of a master's degree can range from $44,000 to $71,000.
It's a significant investment that, unfortunately, only further delays your earning potential.
Executive function coaching allows you to start earning a substantial income (on average, $100 to $150 an hour) much faster.
With a solid certification, you can launch your own coaching practice in a matter of months, not years.
This allows you to leverage the knowledge from your bachelor's degree immediately, providing financial stability while you decide on your next steps, whether that's pursuing licensure, earning a master’s (or similar advanced degree), or building your business.
2. Unmatched Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
One of the most attractive aspects of executive function coaching is the freedom it offers.
You’re the boss of your own schedule.
Want to work part-time while you study for the GRE? You can.
Need to build a schedule around family commitments? No problem.
Prefer to work with clients in the evenings or on weekends? The choice is yours.
You also have the flexibility to work from anywhere.
The rise of virtual communication means you can build a successful remote coaching practice, working with clients from all over the country from the comfort of your home office.
Or, if you prefer face-to-face interaction, you can offer in-person sessions.
EFCA Graduate, Josephine Isgro, is someone who does both in-person and virtual sessions throughout the week. You can read Josephine's full journey to EF coaching here.
This level of autonomy is rare in entry-level positions and is a major reason why many graduates are drawn to coaching.
3. High Demand and Incredible Growth Potential
The need for executive function support is exploding.
Increased awareness of ADHD, anxiety, and learning differences means more people than ever are seeking help.
Parents are looking for coaches to help their children succeed in school, and professionals are seeking support to manage the demands of their careers.
This high demand translates into significant growth potential.
You can build a stable client base relatively quickly and have the opportunity to scale your business.
Whether you choose to remain a solo practitioner or eventually build an agency, the ceiling for your success is high.
How Executive Function Coaching Leverages Your Unique Skills
You might be thinking,
"This sounds great, but am I qualified?"
The answer is a resounding yes.
In fact, there’s a good chance that your degree has already given you a powerful (and necessary) foundation.
For the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate
Your SLP training is a perfect match for EF coaching.
You're an expert in communication, language processing, and cognitive development.
You already know how to break down complex tasks into manageable steps and create individualized strategies for your clients.
Other transferable skills that might come into play include:
Cognitive-Communication Expertise: You understand the link between language and thought, which is central to executive functions like planning and organizing.
Strategy Development: You're trained to help clients find and use tools and strategies to overcome communication hurdles, a skill that translates directly to coaching someone on time management or task initiation.
Client-Centered Approach: You know how to build rapport and create a supportive environment, which is essential for effective coaching.
Executive function coaching can be a fantastic way to earn a flexible income while you complete your clinical fellowship year (CFY) or pursue your Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP).
It also allows you to work with a broader clientele, from young students to corporate executives, to broaden your experience and boost your resume.
Curious about where other SLPs are working as EF coaches? Check out our directory of EF coaches!
For the Psychology Graduate
Your understanding of human behavior, motivation, and cognitive processes makes you a natural fit for executive function coaching.
You know what makes people tick, and you can use that knowledge to help them create lasting change.
Plus, you likely possess the following transferable skills:
Behavioral Science Knowledge: You can help clients understand the "why" behind their procrastination or disorganization and apply principles of behavior modification to build better habits.
Rapport and Empathy: Your training has equipped you to connect with people on a deep level, creating the trust necessary for a client to be vulnerable and open to change.
Cognitive Insight: You understand cognitive biases and motivational theories, which you can use to help clients reframe their thinking and approach challenges with a new perspective.
For psychology grads, EF coaching provides invaluable hands-on experience that is hard to get anywhere else.
It's an opportunity to work directly with clients, hone your coaching skills, and make a real impact, which can be a powerful addition to a grad school application.
For the Counseling Graduate
Your training in active listening, goal setting, and emotional regulation is truly the heart and soul of what executive function coaches do.
You are skilled at guiding people through personal challenges and empowering them to take control of their lives.
Some transferable skills you might already possess include:
Goal-Setting Expertise: You know how to help clients define clear, achievable goals and create a roadmap to reach them, a core component of EFC.
Emotional Regulation Support: You can help clients who struggle with frustration, anxiety, or overwhelm, which often accompanies executive function challenges.
Accountability and Support: You understand the power of providing consistent support and holding clients accountable to their goals, which is crucial for progress.
For the Occupational Therapy Graduate
OTs are masters of practical, real-world solutions.
Your expertise in activity analysis and helping people develop skills for daily living makes you an ideal executive function coach.
EF coaching allows OTs to expand their practice beyond traditional settings and work with a diverse range of clients who need help with the "occupations" of school, work, and life management.
You’re also likely benefiting from the following skills:
Task Analysis: You excel at breaking down complex activities (like "clean your room" or "finish the project") into simple, manageable steps.
Adaptive Strategies: You are skilled at finding creative tools and environmental modifications to help individuals succeed, whether it's using a visual timer, a specialized planner, or a body-doubling app.
Holistic Viewpoint: You understand how physical, emotional, and environmental factors all impact a person's ability to function, which is critical for effective coaching.
How to Get Started as an Executive Function Coach
If you’re intrigued by all the opportunities we mentioned above, it’s time to dig in and get to work.
To get started as an EF coach, you’ll want to first begin by immersing yourself in the fundamentals of executive function.
It’s true that your degree gives you a massive head start, but you’ll want to focus your knowledge specifically on coaching frameworks and techniques.
For free resources on coaching techniques, check out our coaching techniques master article.
Similarly, it doesn't hurt to upskill a bit.
While certification isn’t a requirement for most executive function coaches, the right training program can help you build confidence, build credibility, and master the craft.
At the Executive Function Coaching Academy, we offer a self-paced certification program to help give you the structured training, evidence-based tools, and coaching skills you need to succeed.
If you’re not sure if this is the right career path for you, you can give our 10-minute toolkit a try to test the waters.
Or, book a discovery call here with our admissions coach, Christal, for further guidance on what your next best step is at EFCA based on your goals.
With your training complete, you can start marketing your services and building your client base.
At the EFCA, we also offer business tools and mentorship in our community of EF coaches to help you hit the ground running.
The Bottom Line
Whether your background is in psychology, speech-language pathology, counseling, or occupational therapy, you already have the foundation to thrive as an executive function coach.
Here's a recap of the why EF coaching is a great pathways for graduates:
Faster path to income stability
Unmatched flexibility and work-life balance
High demand and incredible growth potential
Hope this helps! 🤙🏻
FAQs
What exactly does an executive function coach do?
An executive function coach helps clients strengthen skills like organization, time management, emotional regulation, and focus.
The work is action-oriented and future-focused, guiding clients to develop practical systems that make daily life more manageable.
Do I need a certification to become an executive function coach?
While certification is not required, it is highly recommended.
A structured training program like the EFCA certification program can give you the tools, frameworks, and confidence to start strong and stand out in a growing field.
Can I make a good income as an executive function coach?
Yes. Most executive function coaches charge between $100 and $150 per hour, with some charging $250+/hour.
You can view the full EFCA graduates industry report here.
And, demand for these services is growing rapidly. Many coaches build full-time or part-time practices that offer both financial stability and flexible schedules.
This article is a part of the larger category of:
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2025 State Of The Executive Function Coaching Industry: Data And Statistics from EFCA Graduates
5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Transitioning From Teaching (2025)
How To Craft Your Unique Value Proposition As An Executive Function Coach
How To Find Your "Unfair Advantage" As An Executive Function Coach
Want support in transitioning to executive function coaching?
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About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.