Hello and thank you for your interest in executive function (EF) and social communication coaching. As I look back over my career as a speech-language pathologist, the decision to specialize in EF and social communication was an obvious next step.
I have had the privilege of working in deeply personal spaces, such as critical care units and at bedside in clients’ homes. I have also held a number of positions in healthcare management, ranging from oversight of clinic startups to contract negotiation, and day-to-day administration. And finally, I worked in our public educational system, for which I have a great deal of respect. Although these diverse settings presented a unique set of challenges, one dynamic held true whether I was in a patient’s room, a boardroom, or a classroom – effective communication was a key factor in accomplishing the task at hand. Communication was inextricably connected to facets of EF such as planning, prioritization and time management. For many of us, neither our upbringing nor our formal education taught us these essential skills in an intentional, integrated manner – so I decided to take the leap and address this unmet need.
However, soon after launching my practice, I bumped up against what I was taught about EF and social communication development. Yes, there are discrete skills that are useful to explore and practice. For example, the power of routine as it relates to task initiation and completion. Or understanding the importance of nonverbal communication in team building and collaboration. But the question is this. Once a client has this knowledge, how does he or she access and act upon what they know? In the moment? The answer to that question is as unique as every client that I see. I have learned that the answer to that question is complex and influenced by ingrained patterns of interaction with others – whether it’s peers, partners, parents, or co-workers. It is also significantly impacted by a client’s beliefs. Beliefs about the nature of change. Beliefs about their “role” in a given setting or context. Most importantly, beliefs about their sense of agency.
If you decide to work with me, be prepared to approach change with determination and heavy doses of curiosity. Our work together will go well beyond a list of strategies. We will unpack what gets in your way and embrace missteps as steppingstones that are necessary to reach your goals.