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Writer's pictureSean G. McCormick

How to start your executive function coaching practice in 3 steps

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Did you recently decide that your special education expertise can be more beneficial for students working outside of the classroom than inside of it?


Since you are reading this, you might be strongly considering becoming an executive function coach but are not sure what the next steps would be to get started.


In this article, I'll teach you the most important first steps you can take as a new executive function coach so you can spend your time and money on the things you need.


What is executive function coaching?

Executive function coaching is a form of educational coaching that lies at the intersection of academic coaching, educational therapy, tutoring, and cognitive skills training.


During executive function coaching sessions, coaches often support students in developing key executive function skills like:


Planning
Organization
Self-advocacy
Initiation
Time management
Inhibition
Visualizing outcomes
Evaluating priorities

And more!


What are executive function skills?
What are executive function skills?

Who can become an executive function coach?

Technically, anyone can call themselves an executive function coach.


Like educational therapy, executive function coaching is an unlicensed profession that is not regulated by any official governing body or board.


However, various organizations have worked diligently to establish expectations and procedures that consistently and effectively guide new executive function coaches to follow best practices and create sustainable business models.


Most executive function coaches have a background in education, social work, or mental health, such as:


  • Special education teachers

  • Speech-language pathologists

  • School psychologists

  • Education administrators

  • Learning specialists


As the founder of the Executive Function Coaching Academy, I have also seen individuals become executive function coaches from different fields, such as:


  • Physicians

  • Lawyers

  • Corporate executives

  • UX designers


Why do many professionals want to become executive function coaches?

Executive function coaching is a rewarding field that allows you to make a significant impact on students' lives.


By mastering the coaching skills, you can help clients achieve positive outcomes such as:


  • Improved grades

  • Fewer missing assignments

  • And increased engagement with school.


Your expertise can empower students to take control of their learning and succeed academically.


Additionally, executive function coaching can be more financially sustainable than working in education.


Many executive function coaches are charging $100+ per session throughout the United States and have a waiting list for clients.


So, what is stopping more people from becoming executive function coaches?


Why do many educators struggle to start their executive function coaching business?

Transitioning from a classroom setting to a private coaching practice can be daunting.


Here are three reasons why coaches often struggle:


Overthinking the Process

Many educators believe coaching requires extensive documentation, credentialing, insurance, and oversight, similar to teaching.


When they should be focusing on things like:


  • Creating a clear value proposition

  • Learning how to market their expertise

  • And building a functional website


They instead focus on things that make them feel safe and protected, like:


  • Taking extensive training programs on particular skills "just in case" they have a client with hyper-specific needs

  • Explore all possible tax structures to try and optimize their non-existent business

  • Becoming a mandated reporter

  • Deep diving into different insurance requirements that are not relevant to the work of EF coaching


Letting go of the "analysis paralysis" mindset and moving into taking daily action are the biggest hurdles many new EF coaches face.


Adapting to a Customer Service Approach

Unlike the education system, coaching requires a customer-oriented mindset. Coaches must focus on meeting clients' needs rather than adhering to rigid institutional protocols.


Balancing Business and Coaching Skills

Most new EF coaches come into this line of work with little background in sales and marketing.


Because of this, they tend to be apprehensive about selling their expertise and thus want to overfocus on coaching techniques and theory. This can often lead to these new coaches trying to "prove" their expertise.


In the Executive Function Coaching Academy, we teach students that the key to gaining new clients is to focus on their needs rather than sharing everything they know.


What exactly do new executive function coaches need to get started?

Here are the most valuable things you can have ready to go when launching your new coaching practice:


A clear value proposition

To start working with families, you need a clear value proposition that "signals" what you are offering to the world. This could be as simple as:


I provide online executive function coaching for college students.

If you want step-by-step instructions on how to write your value proposition, check out my article on this:



A way to run inquiry meetings with clients

Once people start to learn your value proposition and decide they would like to learn more, they need a way to book a meeting with you. This can be set up for free using a tool like Calendly, which allows prospective clients to book a meeting with you using the link you provide.


The inquiry meeting should allow you to help prospective clients clarify what they would like accomplished through the coaching process. You'll want to ask questions like:


  • How would your life look different after a semester of executive function coaching?

  • What is getting in the way of reaching those goals?

  • How would you feel if those goals were accomplished?


These are great ways to ensure prospective clients leave the meeting feeling valued, seen, and heard instead of spending the meeting bragging about your certification in some specialized intervention.


A sign-up form

After you run a successful inquiry meeting, clients will want to know, "How do we get started?"


Using a tool like Tutorbird, you can build a basic website that includes a sign-up form that will capture key information from your new clients like:


  • Full names

  • Contact information

  • Payment details*


*I highly recommend connecting your sign-up form to a payment system like Stripe or PayPal Pro to receive payment upfront for your expertise. Nothing is worse than working only not to be paid for your service.


A space to hold meetings

As an EF coach, I decided early on that my services would be online for many reasons:


  • I didn't want to commute

  • I wanted to be able to see clients back-to-back

  • I didn't want to go in people's homes or have them in mine

  • I didn't want to pay for an expensive office space


If you work online, you should use an online meeting tool like Zoom to conduct your meetings.


I've tried both Google Meetings and Zoom and find Zoom a superior meeting platform, even though I pay for both as part of my business tools.


If you are working in person, do you plan on traveling to the client's home or holding them at yours or in an office space?


Getting clear on your space is a key consideration before you take on your first client.


Summary

Now, you have a clear breakdown of the next steps you can take to launch your EF coaching business.


There has never been a better time to be an executive function coach, as more than ever, students need support regulating their attention and emotions in a world of nonstop distractions.


If you are ready to get started, try these steps first:


  1. Write a clear value proposition

  2. Set up a sign-up form to collect information and payments

  3. Choose your online or in-person space to hold meetings

day, and watch your coaching skills transform your clients' futures!

Hope this helps 🤙🏻


P.S.


Consider joining hundreds of educators and professionals who have completed our executive function coaching certification. You'll gain all the tools, templates, and techniques you'll need as a coach, plus you'll make new friends and have a community you can rely on to grow and learn. Learn more.


Here is one of my favorite reviews. You can read all recent reviews on this page.




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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.

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