Question 1

What is Executive Functioning (EF)?

Accepted Answer

Executive Functioning (EF) is a set of skills used to help a person plan, remember, organize, and regulate emotions.  EF is used in every day decision making and helps people manage required life tasks.  Without strong EF skills, individuals can experience significant distress and feel behind their peers.

Question 2

How many domains of Executive Functioning (EF) are there?

Accepted Answer

There is not an agreed upon number of domains in the research. However, it is widely believed there are three umbrella domains with seven to eight sub-categories within these.  The three major areas are: Working Memory, Inhibition, and Cognitive Flexibility.  The subcategories include: task initiation, organization, emotion regulation, self-monitoring/self-regulation, short and long term memory, sustained attention, goal-directed persistence, and planning.

Question 3

How do I know if myself or my child has EF Liabilities?

Accepted Answer

Often those with EF liabilities struggle to stay organized, focus on tasks, and regulate their emotions consistently. We also see individuals have difficulty with task initiation, cognitive flexibility, memory, and inhibition. Examples of EF liabilities include, but are not limited to,: consistently messy schoolwork or school folders, trouble remembering appointments or assignments, constant prompting to complete basic activities of daily living, and trouble beginning and/or completing tasks.

Question 4

How does private EF Coaching differ from services offered in the school?

Accepted Answer

While schools provide support for managing general attention and focus difficulties, they struggle to create a sustainable plan and skills repetition schedule to create lasting change. Additionally, schools only focus on school-based behaviors and activities. EF Coaching focuses on the holistic child and their engagement in all areas of his or her life.

EF Coaches can give more targeted and individualized attention to children and adolescents in need of concrete skills. They spend time assessing individual problem areas, creating specialized interventions to target these areas, and then teach and modify the skills as needed.

EF Coaching often supplements school services, meaning there is a wrap-around approach to the child's care.  To achieve goals successfully, it is recommended that the child or adolescent combine both school-based services with private, individualized coaching.

Question 5

What is the difference between psychotherapy and EF Coaching?

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy is depth-oriented, usually longer term, and focuses on the past and the present. Therapy can also include family of origin narratives and helps the client understand how the past influences current symptoms.  EF Coaching is more directive, shorter term, and narrowly focused on executive functioning liabilities. Coaching does not center around the past, but attempts to change the present and future.

Psychotherapy is more effective for mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and grief.  EF Coaching is helpful for more expedited, targeted behavioral changes because it exclusively considers ADHD or EF challenges and attempts to modify these specific liabilities.

Question 6

Why should I choose EF Coaching?

Accepted Answer

School systems and colleges work hard to support children and adolescents with ADHD. However, the interventions are often too general and are focused exclusively on the school setting.  EF Coaching focuses on all domains of the child's life: educational, social, familial, and  extracurricular. The services provide an important wrap around approach, supporting children in all areas of their life.

While therapy can  support children with socioemotional needs and help with familial dynamics, it  doesn't target the repetitive skill building needed to change EF liabilities. Coaching uses goal oriented, evidenced-based, targeted skill building to improve the domains in which the client struggles.

For adults with ADHD symptoms, EF Coaching can target specific needs areas to do things like: organize and clean a space in your home, help remember and be on time for appointments, increase organization and prioritizing, and accomplish tasks of daily living that often feel daunting. Targeted interventions based on the EF liability are used to help support clients in their long-term goals.

Question 7

Who are your clientele?

Accepted Answer

I work with children, adolescents, and  adults with EF liabilities.  Except in rare occasions, services can start at 8 years of age and extend throughout the lifespan.

Question 8

Do you accept insurance and what are your rates?

Accepted Answer

Insurance does not cover EF Coaching, meaning the coaching would be paid out of pocket.  Because EF Coaching is so targeted and short-term, many clients do not feel significant financial pressure from accessing these services.  To discuss the fee schedule, please reach out HERE to schedule a free consultation.

Question 9

Where does EF Coaching take place?

Accepted Answer

We are setup to provide services in office and virtually.  In the office is preferred, as it gives the coach a unique insight into the behaviors and functioning of the client. However, virtual sessions can be helpful so the coach can see the client's environment and help make practical changes to improve overall functioning and goal completion.  For instance, the coach can help the client organize a school folder or setup an organizational system in his or her space. At any point in treatment, either modality might be recommended.

We have one office and work virtually:
10 Calendar Ave, Suite B, La Grange IL

Question 10

How long is EF Coaching?

Accepted Answer

EF Coaching can be as short as 1-2 sessions and as long as 15-20 sessions. It all depends on the specific needs of the client. During the comprehensive assessment we will determine the individual's needs and give an estimated length of coaching.

Often clients will engage in services, pause, and then return to have "booster" sessions.

EF Coaching requires active engagement from the individual and practice outside of the session helps aid in overall success.

Question 11

How do I schedule a session?

Accepted Answer

During our initial consultation, we can discuss services, scheduling and the fee schedule.  Please reach out directly to (508) 345-9452 or complete the Contact Form.

Question 12

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We ask that you cancel your appointment with 24 hours notice. Usually we waive the first late cancel - because life happens!  Though we will charge for the second late cancel and on. We always charge for no-shows.

If there are three late cancels/no-shows in a row, we will not hold a spot for you in our schedule.  The late cancel/no-show fee is the full session cost.

Question 13

What qualifications do you have?

Accepted Answer

Kristen Tyler has a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology and a Masters in Education in Counseling. To learn more about other qualifications, please click here.

Question 14

How long have you been in practice?

Accepted Answer

Kristen Tyler, PsyD has been in the mental health field for over 20 years. Recently she switched her private psychotherapy practice into a coaching model to help meet the need for EF services in the area.   Dr. Tyler has years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with ADHD and/or EF challenges. Dr. Tyler has worked in psychiatric hospitals, college counseling centers, and primary education settings.  She's also served as a psychological assessment administrator and neuropsychological testing supervisor, so she understands the nuances of neuropsych testing and ADHD diagnoses.

Please click here for more details.

Question 15

Why should I choose Design Your Mind for services?

Accepted Answer

Kristen Tyler, PsyD, started the practice to meet a growing need to help children, adolescents and adults find support for ADHD and EF challenges. Many families are struggling with how to help their children with time management, planning, and organization.  Often they don't have access to appropriate services, as the schools are limited in their capacity to create lasting change due to the growing demand on teachers and school administrators.

The practice is unique, in that it uses the Biopsychosocial model and empirically supported assessment measures to understand ADHD and EF liabilities. At the start of coaching, 2-3 assessment measures will be administered so we can get a clear picture of which domains impact the individual most. A Goals Plan is then developed and used in each session to target the child's need area(s). A copy of the Goals Plan is sent home with the client and families are encouraged to practice the skills at home. With repetitive practice and supportive coaching, we begin to see improvements in functioning.

Question 16

What type of coaching does the practice offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer ADHD/EF coaching for children, adolescents, and adults struggling with organization, time management, task initiation, problems with inhibition, etc.  We also offer Parent Coaching, as we find parents often need support to support children in the home and school.

Question 17

What is expected of clients during EF Coaching?

Accepted Answer

Clients should attend appointments regularly, show up on time and ready to work, and be willing to practice the skills at home.  With any habit change, consistent practice is key! For children and adolescents, strong family engagement and encouragement is also crucial in seeing positive results.

Question 18

Can you diagnose ADHD?

Accepted Answer

No, I cannot diagnose ADHD. However, through the comprehensive assessment and evaluation measures, we can determine which EF Domains are most impacted and then target these in our coaching sessions.

If you are looking for a psychologist to perform neuropsychological testing, I'd be happy to provide referrals.

(508) 345-9452
kristen.tyler@designyourmindcenter.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Executive Functioning (EF)?

How many domains of Executive Functioning (EF) are there?

How do I know if myself or my child has EF Liabilities?

How does private EF Coaching differ from services offered in the school?

What is the difference between psychotherapy and EF Coaching?

Why should I choose EF Coaching?

Who are your clientele?

Do you accept insurance and what are your rates?

Where does EF Coaching take place?

How long is EF Coaching?

How do I schedule a session?

What is your cancellation policy?

What qualifications do you have?

How long have you been in practice?

Why should I choose Design Your Mind for services?

What type of coaching does the practice offer?

What is expected of clients during EF Coaching?

Can you diagnose ADHD?

(508) 345-9452 kristen.tyler@designyourmindcenter.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Executive Functioning (EF)?

How many domains of Executive Functioning (EF) are there?

How do I know if myself or my child has EF Liabilities?

How does private EF Coaching differ from services offered in the school?

What is the difference between psychotherapy and EF Coaching?

Why should I choose EF Coaching?

Who are your clientele?

Do you accept insurance and what are your rates?

Where does EF Coaching take place?

How long is EF Coaching?

How do I schedule a session?

What is your cancellation policy?

What qualifications do you have?

How long have you been in practice?

Why should I choose Design Your Mind for services?

What type of coaching does the practice offer?

What is expected of clients during EF Coaching?

Can you diagnose ADHD?

(508) 345-9452
kristen.tyler@designyourmindcenter.com