Executive Function Therapy for Children and Teens in Calgary

Executive functioning challenges are like running a computer with too many tabs open — things lag, focus crashes, and even simple tasks feel urgent and overwhelming. Your child’s brain is trying to work, but it’s overloaded. Therapy helps kids close the mental clutter, organize their thoughts, and feel back in control.

What Are Executive Functioning Challenges?

Executive functions are the mental processes that help kids:

  • Pay attention

  • Plan and organize

  • Start tasks (and finish them!)

  • Manage emotions and frustration

  • Shift between ideas and situations

  • Keep track of belongings and routines

When these skills lag, it’s not because a child “doesn’t care” or is “lazy.” Their brain is still wiring the tools that other kids may already have. Therapy can support that wiring.

Common Signs We See

Homework battles every night

  1. Meltdowns when routines change

  2. Disorganization that disrupts learning

  3. Trouble starting (or finishing) tasks

  4. Emotional overreactions that feel “out of the blue”

  5. Forgetting belongings, assignments, or steps

  6. Constant reminders that go unheard or ignored

Our Approach to Executive Function Therapy

At Creative Sky, our psychologists and ADHD coaches offer an integrated, age-informed model of executive functioning support rooted in:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) strategies for thinking flexibility

  • Skill-based coaching to break tasks into manageable steps

  • Emotional regulation coaching (often overlooked but essential)

  • Visual and gamified tools to support planning and memory

  • Parent collaboration to reduce stress at home and school

This page was developed and reviewed by Shannon Kelly, Registered Psychologist and Clinic Director, and Erin Wasylenko, Registered Psychologist. Our team has advanced training in executive function coaching, ADHD interventions, and child psychology. Meet our team →

We don’t just give tips — we build systems, language, and motivation that stick.

How We Tailor Therapy by Age

Preschool & Early Elementary

We use visuals, play-based strategies, and parent scaffolding to support early transitions, frustration tolerance, and daily routines.

School-Aged Children

We focus on task initiation, flexible thinking, time management, and emotional outbursts. CBT, stories, and modeling help kids internalize strategies.

Teens & Tweens

Teens often resist “help” but crave independence. We introduce metacognition (thinking about their thinking), routines that fit their lifestyle, and emotionally safe accountability. Many sessions include goal setting, habit building, and tech-related strategies.

Support for Parents

You're tired of being the reminder, the alarm clock, the clean-up crew.

Our parent sessions include:

  • Setting realistic expectations

  • Choosing which skills to coach first

  • Visual routines that work with—not against—your child’s brain

  • Scripted language for transitions, limits, and problem-solving

  • Managing your own regulation when your child melts down (again)

We don’t just coach your child. We empower the whole system.

Why Families Trust Creative Sky for Executive Functioning Support

Specialized Psychologists & Coaches trained in executive skill development, ADHD, and child therapy

  1. Practical, Age-Tuned Tools that kids actually use

  2. School Collaboration Support and reports available

  3. Parent Coaching that makes the home environment easier

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Teens benefit from coaching that focuses on motivation, study skills, stress management, prioritizing, and goal setting. We help teens balance academic demands, emotional health, and daily routines—especially during transitions like high school or preparing for university. Our therapists also support building self-advocacy and accountability.

  • Tutoring focuses on content. Executive function therapy focuses on how your child learns, organizes, and manages their time and emotions. It targets root-level brain processes that affect learning, not just grades. When kids understand why they get stuck, they can begin to work with their brain instead of against it.

  • Absolutely. Parent coaching is a core part of our approach. We help you adjust routines, reduce power struggles, create accountability without shame, and build flexible structure that supports your child’s growth. You don’t have to do it alone—our team walks with you every step of the way.

  • Yes. Executive function challenges and emotional regulation often go hand-in-hand. Kids who feel overwhelmed or disorganized are more likely to shut down or explode. Therapy helps them build the emotional insight and calming tools needed to manage both the tasks and the feelings that come with them.

  • Not always. While executive dysfunction is a core feature of ADHD, it can also affect children with anxiety, learning disabilities, autism, or giftedness. Some kids simply develop these skills more slowly. Our Calgary psychologists assess the full picture and create targeted plans—whether or not a formal ADHD diagnosis is present.

  • We use individualized strategies to help kids strengthen working memory, planning, task initiation, organization, and emotional regulation. Support may include visual schedules, time management tools, emotion coaching, and behavioral scaffolding. Therapy also helps kids understand how their brain works, which is key to building independence.

  • Common signs include forgetfulness, poor time awareness, difficulty starting homework, losing belongings, disorganization, emotional outbursts, and trouble switching tasks. Teens might procrastinate, miss deadlines, or appear unmotivated—but often they’re overwhelmed, not lazy. Therapy helps them build structure, skills, and self-trust.

  • Executive functioning refers to the brain’s “management system”—skills like focus, planning, impulse control, organization, emotional regulation, and time management. These skills are essential for school success, friendships, and independence. If your child struggles with getting started, staying on task, or following through, they may benefit from executive functioning support.