Daily obligations have increased immensely, and not everyone has the time-management and planning abilities to keep their life organized and stress-free. An executive function coach is there to help both children and adults learn how to be more efficient in today’s complex world full of distractions and conflicting priorities.
If you feel like you’ve found your calling in this field, set your career in motion with the help of the best executive function coaching certification programs. Read on to find out which are our top picks for executive functioning coach training and what you can learn from each one.
- Executive Function Coaching Academy – Best Overall
- Connections in Mind – Best for Beginners
- JST Coaching & Training – Best for Coaching Students with ADHD
- PESI – Best for Professional Development
- Seth Perler – Best Workshop Option
What Is an Executive Function Coach?
Harvard University refers to executive function as a set of the following skills:
- Planning ahead and meeting goals
- Displaying self-control
- Following multiple-step instructions even when interrupted
- Staying focused despite distractions
While these skills aren’t innate to everyone, they can be learned—and this is where executive function coaches step into the picture. An executive function coach helps clients become more independent and successful so that they can feel confident in their ability to take on whatever challenges come their way.
What Does an Executive Function Coach Do?
An executive function coach teaches kids and adults the necessary self-management skills that will help them deal with daily challenges, be able to successfully juggle multiple obligations, and deal with sabotaging emotions, such as anxiety. EF coaches often work with children and adults who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as they have a harder time staying focused on their objectives.
How sessions generally work is that coaches figure out which executive function skills the client already possesses and which ones need some work. Based on that, they’ll work with the client on all the crucial skills, focusing on the ones that are most important to the client at that moment. The ultimate goal is to help the client learn how to plan their life for maximum efficiency and stay focused.
How to Become a Certified Executive Functioning Coach
You have the desire, the focused mindset, and the passion for coaching…now how do you become an executive function coach?
Executive functioning coaching certification programs are the shortest route to proficiency in executive function coaching. Not only will you learn about strategies you can apply when working with clients, but you’ll also learn more about coaching and how to establish a coaching business in this niche.
In addition to coaching tools and techniques, the qualities that will help you in executive function coaching are:
- Listening skills
- Objectivity
- Communication skills
- Empathy
- Organization skills
- Persistence
- Patience
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Executive Function Coaching Certification
How can you navigate your search to find the best executive functioning coach certification program for your coaching goals? In addition to the program’s curriculum and offerings, you should consider how much it costs, how long it lasts, and whether it is accredited.
Program Cost
When it comes to investing in an executive function coach training program, one of the biggest factors that will affect your choice is the cost. Online courses tend to be more affordable, but you should be certain that you can adapt to a virtual learning environment. Another thing you should be wary of is whether there are any additional costs apart from the tuition fee.
Course Length
Executive functioning coach training programs come in all shapes and sizes, with some being super intensive and taking less than a few weeks to finish and others lasting up to a year (or even longer). It’s important to think about your goals and what timeline you have in mind for building your coaching business to make a decision that fits your plans.
Accreditation
Accreditation isn’t necessary for you to become a certified executive function coach. But, there are organizations like the International Coach Federation (ICF)—the most recognized accrediting body—that evaluate and approve life coach training companies. Choosing a program accredited by a respected organization can give you greater confidence in the quality of the training and instructors. Plus, having a certificate from an accredited program can help you win over some clients.
Best Executive Function Coach Certification Programs
Best Overall: The Executive Function Coaching Academy
If you’re looking for a comprehensive, self-paced training experience focused on executive function coaching, The Executive Function Coaching Academy offers strong value for long-term learning and professional development.
Their core offering is the Executive Function Coaching Certification Program, designed to equip coaches and educators with practical frameworks, tools, and strategies for working with executive function challenges.
The academy’s current course collection includes:
- Executive Function Coaching Certification Program
- Special Educator 10-Minute Transition Toolkit
- Semester Success Blueprint Course
- The Online Executive Function Coach Framework
The training is fully self-paced. For updates on whether live classes are offered in the future, learners can refer to EFCA’s official updates page.
In addition to the coursework, the subscription includes self-directed learning materials, live Q&As with Sean twice a month, access to a private member community, a listing in their executive function coach directory, and ready-to-use templates and tools that can be applied immediately in practice. Full review here.
- Course Length: 6 weeks
- Program Cost: Contact EFCA for pricing
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Beginners Option: Connections in Mind
The executive functioning training certification by Connections in Mind offers a robust curriculum that covers 22 core standards and skills for practicing executive function coaching—which is why it can be an ideal program for beginners. The training is based on the book Coaching Students with Executive Function Deficits by Dr. Peg Dawson and Dr. Richard Guare. The authors of the book have also helped with creating content and accreditation.
What you’ll learn through this course are the basics of neuroscience and neuroplasticity, the impact of executive function skills, the connection between emotional processing and executive function skills, the best coaching and motivational interviewing skills, and how to support clients through making changes. They’ll also introduce you to their coaching model, Connections in Mind Connect, Collaborate, and Support.
- Course Length: 5 weeks
- Program Cost: £792 – Spring course; £840 – Autumn course
- Accreditation: None
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Students with ADHD Option: JST Coaching and Training
Do you want to learn about coaching students with ADHD? JST Coaching & Training has two programs that are designed to prepare coaches for working with learners with ADHD. This is also a training program required by Edge Foundation if you wish to become an Edge coach.
The course Empowering Students Through Coaching is for those who don’t have any prior experience. This training program will equip you with in-depth content and powerful strategies for working with students from the age of 8 and upwards who are facing the challenges of ADHD. The completion of the course leads to an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential. Learn more about credentialing here.
If you already have coaching experience, the better choice would be the Coaching Neurodiverse Learners course. The prerequisites are more than 20 hours of coaching-specific training or enrollment in any of the JST coach training programs. You’ll dive deeper into the field of ADHD coaching by learning about neurodiversity and how it impacts the coaching process, coaching strategies to support neurodiverse learners, and more.
- Course Length: Up to 6 months
- Program Cost: $7,595 – Empowering Students Through Coaching; $2,899 – Coaching Neurodiverse Learners
- Accreditation: ICF
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Professional Development Option: PESI
Here’s another course that doesn’t target only executive function coaches but provides insight into the knowledge and practices that can upgrade your understanding and abilities in this field.
PESI is a non-profit organization that offers continuing education to a variety of professionals. Their Executive Functioning Skills for Children & Adolescents is an advanced certification course that focuses on improving cognition in students, enhancing learning, and improving self-regulation, sequencing, attention, and memory activities.
On top of that, you’ll get to experience 50 developmentally progressive cognitive exercises and coaching activities that can upgrade your coaching practice.
With this course, you can earn up to 12 continuing education (CE) hours.
- Course Length: Self-paced
- Program Cost: $466.98
- Accreditation: American Psychological Association (APA); American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA); American Occupational Therapy Association
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Workshop Option: Seth Perler
Seth Perler is one of the pioneers of the executive function coaching industry. He was a struggling student himself before he became one of the most famous executive function, ADHD, and twice-exceptional (2e) coaches worldwide.
The Executive Function Coach Blueprint is an intensive workshop that demands commitment and passion for executive coaching. It is not designed exclusively for coaches, but it offers a unique approach to executive function coaching.
The teachings are based on Seth Perler’s methods, and the course will cover how to help children struggling with executive functions, and how and why the methods work. As a bonus, Seth will also give you insight into how to build and market your business.
Since this course is in high demand and the number of applicants is limited, right now there’s only a wait-list option. In the meantime, you can check out the free resources and tools.
- Course Length: Available upon signing up
- Program Cost: Available upon signing up
- Accreditation: None
- Mode of Delivery: Online
Alternatives (non-niche)
The primary focus of executive function coaching certification programs is the information, methodologies, and tools used in this field. But what about coaching skills? If you wish to boost your confidence as a coach and learn more about starting a business in this industry, you can enroll in a life coaching program.
In this way, you’ll build a strong foundation in life coaching and begin working with clients, to which you can then add executive coaching knowledge and expertise. Our recommendations for life coaching training are Transformation Academy and Coach Training Alliance. These are top-quality and comprehensive programs that also come with an affordable price, so they won’t take a huge chunk out of your coaching budget.
Special Offer: Get 50% off all certification programs at Transformation Academy by entering code LIFECOACHMAG at checkout.
Read our TA review and CTA review to learn more about these programs.
Conclusion
Executive function coaching is a fairly new industry with immense need. By becoming an executive function coach, you can make a difference in the lives of children and adults while also creating a balance in your own life and making a good living. We hope that our list of executive function certification programs will give you some guidance and help you become a recognized expert in executive function coaching.
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