Executive Function Coaching
Portland, Oregon
Lawler Coaching offers online and limited in-person executive function coaching near NE Portland, Oregon, to support transitioning middle, high school, and college students with diverse learning needs. My goal is to help students build the skills they need to succeed, grow, and independently navigate their unique path in life. Using a strengths-based approach, I teach essential skills such as organization, planning, time management, flexibility, and memory, reducing anxiety and overwhelm for both students and parents. I also offer guidance and coaching for parents who are new to this journey and need support in understanding and advocating for their student’s needs.
What is Executive Functioning?
Executive Functioning is all about how the brain is wired for managing life. Executive functioning typically starts at an early age, but as a child grows and the demands and complexities of life increase, these skills are even more important for a child’s independence and ability to navigate their own path forward.
Executive Function refers to the skills and mental processes that enable people to plan and execute tasks, focus attention and follow and remember instructions within the context of a goal. We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life.
The three main areas include: Working Memory, Cognitive Flexibility and Self-Control.
To find out more, please visit Seth Perler: "What is Executive Functioning?"
What do Clients Say?
"We reached out to Anna to support our teenager in developing executive functioning skills, particularly in the context of ADHD and anxiety. Although our son had an understanding of what needed to be done, he struggled significantly with task initiation, organization, and follow-through. This often left him feeling overwhelmed, leading to frustration and a decline in self-esteem. Anna brought a wealth of expertise in executive functioning and organizational strategies. She met with our son weekly for one-hour sessions, during which she helped him review his upcoming tasks, prioritize effectively, and build practical skills such as creating and managing checklists. She also introduced him to the Pomodoro technique, helping him break study time into manageable intervals with scheduled breaks. Additionally, she offered a 15-minute midweek check-in for accountability and ongoing support.
Anna’s approach is both comprehensive and individualized. She had access to his school records, class schedules, our family calendar, and digital tools such as Google Calendar, allowing for seamless coordination. She is incredibly flexible and responsive—when our son expressed that certain strategies weren’t working for him, she readily adapted and introduced alternative approaches tailored to his specific needs.
What sets Anna apart is her deep understanding that executive functioning is not one-size-fits-all. She meets each client where they are, designing customized systems that work for their unique preferences and challenges. While we joke that we wish we could keep Anna around full-time, the skills she taught our son have made a lasting impact—not just for him, but for our entire family.
We are deeply grateful for Anna’s insight, professionalism, and unwavering support.".
Parent of Junior Student
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