Executive Function Evalution
A One-Time In-Depth Assessment
We think holistically about each client in order to develop a comprehensive Executive Function assessment and individualized recommendations.
Our detailed evaluation process includes several questionnaires and an in-depth interview to fully assess each client’s strengths and needs.
Dr. Charuvastra’s decades of expertise as a psychiatrist working with people with Executive Function problems inform every aspect of our approach.
Common Profiles of Executive Function Struggles
Executive Function weakness can be a consequence of many factors including ADHD, anxiety, learning problems, or life circumstances.
Here are some common profiles of how Executive Function challenges can manifest. Do any of these challenges sound familiar to you?
The Overwhelmed
Executive Function weakness is most apparent in their emotional reaction to stress and obligations. They often become distressed and quickly doubt themselves.
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Easily stressed or anxious when faced with assignments, projects, or requests
Usually conscientious, well-intentioned, and worried about letting people down
May struggle to calm themselves or have a practical planning conversation
Tends to avoid multiple drafts because the process is emotionally taxing
Strong emotions can interfere with using tools effectively and vice versa
May procrastinate due to fear of getting it wrong or not knowing where to start
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Modeling and practicing distress tolerance and self-regulation in order to persist through challenges
Chunking larger demands into less distressing and more realistic tasks
Noticing and reframing unhelpful or harsh thoughts that interfere with action
The Demoralized
Consequences from disorganization, negative feedback, and tough emotions can build up and deplete motivation. “I’m overwhelmed” becomes “What’s the point?”
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Often a later stage of The Overwhelmed; burnt out by intense emotions that build up to a “Why bother?” attitude
Pervasive negative self-image about their abilities makes it difficult to get and stay motivated
Sense of agency has been replaced by feeling powerlessness to succeed
Chronic difficulty with persisting through and recovering from setbacks; may give up quickly
Tends to overemphasize memories of past failures or negative feedback while minimizing successes or praise
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Reestablishing a sense of agency, capability, and remoralization
Identifying many opportunities for small successes and celebrating them
Processing plenty of genuine, constructive, and positive feedback from a trustworthy source
The Cluttered
Chronic struggles with attention, routines, or prioritizing make it difficult to get and stay organized. Physical, digital, and mental clutter tends to pile up.
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Tends to be “messy” in some way: personal space, physical or digital materials, time commitments, thinking and planning processes
Finds it difficult to create and maintain routines and systems
Struggles to sort and/or prioritize effectively
May be easily distracted or lose steam when trying to organize
Clutter can lead to frustration, a negative self-view, or may interfere with daily functioning in some way
Unintentionally neglects obligations or objects due to disorganization
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Noticing their habits and environments more mindfully
Modeling practical problem-solving and individualizing organized structures
Rehearsing by maintaining systems and noticing impacts
The Lost in Time
Often late or overscheduled, having a slippery sense of time makes it hard to set and keep plans or routines. They know how to tell time but never learned how to use time.
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Has an underdeveloped or slippery sense of time
Does not often stay aware of time or multiple time frames (daily, weekly, monthly, etc)
Struggles to accurately estimate how long something will take, or does not make any estimation
Tends not to make structured schedules or plans, or struggles to stick them
Gains a reputation of always being late or missing obligations; commitments tend to “sneak up”
Difficulty with managing attention or impulses leads to time feeling lost
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Increasing awareness of time on multiple levels using an individualized tracking system
Auditing time spent and recognizing time restraints in order to build more sustainable and balanced routines
Refining ability to accurately estimate time, realistically prioritize tasks, and adapt plans
The Straggler
Struggles with focus, planning, and motivation add significant obstacles to getting started or finishing goals. They tend to always feel behind in some way.
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The Struggle to Start
Transitions of all sorts are challenging
Does not tolerate discomfort or challenge very well so may stick to familiar or more enjoyable tasks
Struggles with chronic procrastination and self-motivation
May have or be given a solid plan but still can’t seem to get started
The Struggle to Finish
Often excited to start many new projects or tasks, but loses steam easily
May quickly give up when faced with obstacles or challenges
Does not create realistic goals or plans which can lead to overwhelm or burnout
Might not be aware of their work style and has difficulty pacing themselves
Tends to underestimate commitments or distractions, and overestimate their ability to multi-task
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Identifying and problem-solving through common obstacles, both inner and outer
Tolerating discomfort and managing impulses effectively
Shifting from unrealistic multi-tasking belief (And! And! And!) to clear and achievable planning (Then, Then, Then)