Executive Functioning Therapy in Calgary
Helping Children, Teens, and Families Build Skills That Make Life Easier
Executive functioning skills are the tools that help children and teens manage everyday life — planning, remembering, staying focused, managing emotions, and following through.
When those tools don’t come naturally, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming.
At Ten Child Psychology, we provide executive functioning therapy in Calgary for children, teens, and parents, helping young people build practical skills through therapy that blends structure, creativity, and self-understanding.
Because focus isn’t just about effort. It’s about strategy, awareness, and the right kind of support.
Understanding Executive Functioning
The Brain’s Management System
Executive functioning refers to the mental skills that allow us to plan, organize, prioritize, shift attention, and regulate emotions. When these systems are still developing — or under strain — children and teens may struggle even when they are bright, capable, and motivated.
You might notice:
Difficulty starting or finishing tasks
Losing track of time or materials
Trouble organizing thoughts, schoolwork, or belongings
Forgetting instructions or deadlines
Emotional frustration or shutdown when overwhelmed
Difficulty transitioning between activities
Executive functioning challenges are common and learnable. Therapy helps children and teens understand how their brain works — and build tools that work with it, not against it.
Executive functioning challenges often overlap with ADHD and anxiety. Families may also explore ADHD Therapy in Calgary or Anxiety Therapy in Calgary for integrated support.
Our Approach to Executive Functioning Therapy
Executive functioning therapy at Ten Child Psychology combines psychology with practical coaching. We teach real-life strategies for focus, planning, and self-regulation — paired with emotional support that makes change sustainable.
Our psychologists may integrate:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Increasing awareness of thought patterns that affect focus, motivation, and follow-through.Executive Skills Coaching
Creating personalized systems for organization, planning, and time management.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Building flexibility, mindfulness, and resilience when plans don’t go perfectly.Solution-Focused Strategies
Breaking big goals into manageable, achievable steps.Play- and Creative-Based Approaches
Especially helpful for children and teens who learn best through movement and imagination.
Each plan is personalized — grounded in empathy, structure, and curiosity.
With structure comes confidence — and confidence builds momentum.
What Children and Teens Learn in Therapy
Executive functioning therapy builds both skills and self-trust. Over time, organization and focus stop feeling like pressure and start feeling possible.
Children and teens learn to:
Build realistic routines and task systems
Improve focus, working memory, and follow-through
Manage procrastination and avoidance
Regulate emotions tied to frustration or overwhelm
Strengthen planning, prioritizing, and time awareness
Develop confidence and independence
Progress happens gradually — through practice, encouragement, and consistency.
Executive Functioning in Children
Learning Through Play, Routine, and Support
Children often want to do well but lack the strategies to get there. Executive functioning therapy uses play, structure, and repetition to help children build skills in a way that feels encouraging — not corrective.
You might notice:
Trouble remembering steps in multi-part tasks
Difficulty transitioning between home and school routines
Emotional outbursts or meltdowns when plans change
Forgetting assignments, instructions, or personal items
Therapy helps children understand that focus and organization are skills to be learned, not character flaws.
Parents are included so strategies are reinforced consistently at home.
With patience comes progress — small steps lead to steady growth.
Executive Functioning in Teens
Motivation, Momentum, and Self-Trust
For teens, executive functioning challenges often appear as missed deadlines, overwhelm, or harsh self-criticism. Teens may be labeled as “lazy” when the real challenge is skill development, not effort.
You might notice:
Overwhelm with school or extracurricular demands
Avoiding tasks until the last minute
Emotional shutdowns, stress, or burnout
Difficulty balancing academics, friendships, and rest
Teen executive functioning therapy focuses on building systems that match how teens actually think and work. We help teens create small wins that lead to confidence — not pressure.
→ Explore Teen Therapy in Calgary and ADHD Therapy in Calgary for overlapping challenges.
With understanding comes momentum — growth feels possible again.
Parent Collaboration and Family Coaching
Skills Grow Best With Support
Executive functioning skills don’t develop in isolation — they grow through consistency, modeling, and encouragement. That’s why parent collaboration is an essential part of therapy at Ten Child Psychology.
Parent sessions may include:
Coaching for routines, transitions, and expectations
Encouraging independence with empathy
Reducing daily frustration and power struggles
Reinforcing executive skill language used in sessions
Supporting emotional regulation at home
When parents feel equipped, children and teens feel safer trying new strategies.
→ Learn more about Parent Counselling in Calgary for practical, family-focused support.
Collaboration builds bridges. Bridges create breakthroughs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
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It’s therapy that helps children and teens strengthen planning, organization, time management, and emotional regulation skills.
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Yes. Many children and teens with ADHD benefit from executive skills coaching alongside therapy.
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Yes. Parent involvement is key to building consistency and confidence outside the therapy room.
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Yes. We offer secure virtual sessions for families across Alberta.
Why Families Choose Ten for Executive Functioning Therapy in Calgary
Boutique, child- and family-focused clinic in Bridgeland / East Calgary
Psychologists experienced in executive functioning, ADHD, and emotion regulation
Strength-based, collaborative care for children and teens
Creative, practical, and compassionate approach
In-person sessions in East Calgary and secure online therapy across Alberta
No waitlist — begin when you’re ready
Beyond Ten. Into Possibility.
Ten Child Psychology
172 9 St NE, Calgary AB T2E 4H2
📞 403-727-7473
Our Bridgeland clinic was designed to support calm, concentration, and flexibility — with open spaces, natural light, and seating that adapts to each child or teen’s learning style.
Serving families in Bridgeland, Inglewood, Riverbend, Crescent Heights, Tuxedo Park, Hillhurst, Quarry Park, Douglasdale, Cranston, Auburn Bay, Mahogany, Seton — and online across Alberta.
