For parents and caregivers

Executive function coaching for your young adult

Plain answers to the questions parents can start with: what coaching is, where family fits, and what to ask any coach.

What is executive function coaching for a young adult?

Executive function coaching supports the everyday skills that let a person plan, get started, stay organized and follow through. For a young adult between 18 and 25 these skills can be hard to hold onto, especially when depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder gets in the way, or during a big change such as starting or leaving college.

Meghan Michalski is a coach and mentor. She works one-to-one with your young adult on planning, prioritizing, communication, thought organization, cognitive flexibility, time management and emotion regulation, one skill at a time.

How can coaching help at home?

Everyday sticking points such as routines, tasks and deadlines can be hard to manage. Coaching works on these directly, through practical strategies for routines, prioritizing, time management, communication and emotion regulation.

Your young adult first uses each new strategy with Meghan’s support. Over time she works so that they can carry it out independently. She also helps them understand why a strategy matters, so the strategies are ones the young adult can use independently. The aim is long-term self-sufficiency.

Where do parents fit?

Family and parent involvement is part of Meghan’s approach. She works as one coordinated part of a whole care team, which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, parents and the client, rather than as a standalone service.

Your young adult is the client. Family and parent involvement is part of Meghan’s approach; if you would like to ask what that looks like, you are welcome to get in touch.

Coaching is not therapy or parenting

Meghan is a coach and mentor, not a licensed clinician. Coaching works alongside your young adult’s clinical care. Coaching is not a substitute for clinical care.

It is not parenting, either. Meghan does not step into your role. She builds skills with your young adult, so the strategies are ones your young adult can use independently.

What can we expect from working together?

Coaching with Meghan is an ongoing relationship at a regular cadence, not a fixed-length program. Sessions are one-to-one and offered virtually or in person. See where Meghan works for details.

Before adapting any strategies, Meghan first assesses how your young adult processes information, then teaches concepts and organizational strategies to fit how they perceive and understand. You can read more about how executive function coaching works, or about Meghan’s background.

What should you ask any coach?

Whoever you choose, these questions help you compare coaches with confidence.

  • What is your training and background?
  • How do you work with my young adult’s care team?
  • How do you describe your role, and where does it end?
  • How will progress be discussed, and with whom?
  • What do you not do?

You are welcome to ask Meghan the same questions when you get in touch. Clinicians who would like to know how she works with a care team can read the page for clinicians.

Questions parents can ask

Will my young adult have to talk about everything with me?

Your young adult is the client, and parents are part of the wider care team. If you have questions about how family is involved, you are welcome to ask when you get in touch.

Can coaching go alongside therapy and other care?

Yes. Coaching is designed to work alongside your young adult’s clinical care, and never in place of it.

What if my young adult is reluctant?

Meghan’s work is built on relatability and trusting rapport, and she holds space for authenticity. If your young adult is unsure, you are welcome to ask questions when you get in touch.

Contact

Let’s start the ascent.

Email Meghan to ask about working together. She serves clients in the Asheville, NC and New York City areas, and online.

meg.e.michalski@gmail.com