Executive Functioning Support for Teens

Support That Meets Your Teen Where They Are

At Rooted NYC, we know that helping your teen isn't about forcing them to "work harder"—it's about understanding their unique challenges and giving them tools to make their life feel more manageable.

Personalized strategies to overcome overwhelm and build confidence

+ How we work with families

Alexa Wallerstein, M.S., LMHC

About Me

With over a decade of experience working with kids and teens, serving a wide range of profiles and needs within a school setting, I bring a deep understanding of how young people think, feel, and operate. I have worn many hats—from school counselor to Clinical Director—and this background allows me to connect with teens in an authentic way.

At home, my husband is also a therapist, so we spend our days trying to avoid overanalyzing things like, why is our infant refusing to nap right now, or  how we contributed to why our two cats act like they own the place (although, this one may have a fairly straightforward explanation… they do).

+ Learn more about Alexa and Executive Functioning Support for Teens

Understanding the Roadblocks

Does This Sound Like What’s Happening at Home?

Meet Jeremy:
 Jeremy is a bright 16-year-old with big dreams but an even bigger pile of late assignments. He’s not lazy—he’s just caught in a loop of procrastination and frustration….

Meet Maya:
Maya looks like she has it all together: honor roll, sports, a full social calendar. But beneath the surface, she feels paralyzed by perfectionism and never gets to what matters most to her.

Learn how we helped teens like Jeremy & Maya break free from these cycles.

What’s Really Going On?

Executive Functioning:
The Key to Unlocking Roadblocks

Executive functioning is like your brain’s backstage crew—working behind the scenes to keep life’s production running. It manages the props (planning and organization), cues the lights (attention), and keeps things moving even when things go off script (emotional regulation). For some, like those with ADHD or learning differences, the crew has a tougher job. Stress, anxiety, or depression can also throw it into disarray, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming.  

These struggles often fly under the radar—a teen who seems hyper-functioning on the outside may feel paralyzed to start a project because they struggle with task initiation, while another who always aces tests but can’t keep up with daily homework might have trouble tolerating boredom or finding value in tasks they don’t see as meaningful. These are executive functioning skills too, and with the right strategies and support, even a struggling backstage crew can find its rhythm again.

Why Rooted NYC?

We approach executive functioning from a nuanced perspective. While we believe deeply in teaching tools—strategies to organize, plan, and manage time—we also understand that tools alone aren't going  to cut it. Our work focuses on helping teens address the emotional underpinnings of their struggles while giving them practical, real-world strategies they can begin using right away.

What We Teach

  • Break overwhelming tasks into tiny steps. Don’t aim to write the whole paper; just open the document and write one sentence. Focusing on small actions makes big tasks less paralyzing.

  • Use grounding techniques to calm overwhelming feelings. Noticing five things you see or feel can quiet mental noise, making it easier to focus and begin.

  • Adopt techniques that help you shift your mindset. For example, sitting with “willing hands” (palms up on your knees) reduces internal resistance and signals readiness to move forward.

  • Set a timer for a short, manageable period—say, 10 minutes. Commit to working only for that time. This structure lessens the intimidation of big tasks, and momentum often builds naturally.  

  • Learn to ride out urges without acting on them. Picture the urge to procrastinate as a wave—it will rise and fall. Observing it without reacting strengthens your ability to stay on track.

  • Connect tasks to what genuinely matters to you. Writing that history paper might reflect your curiosity about storytelling or help you reach your goal of improving grades.

  • Step back from unhelpful thoughts like "I can't do this." Visualize these thoughts as passing clouds, not facts, so they don’t hold you back from taking action.

Working Together

How We Hold Teens Accountable

Accountability with teens is all about balance—being empathetic but firm. The key is building trust first. We start by diving into their world. If that means spending sessions talking about their favorite video game, so be it. We become learners, letting them be the experts, showing we're invested in what matters to them.

Once that trust is in place, we offer a flexible approach tailored to each teen's unique needs:

Flexible Sessions

Begin with full sessions to build rapport, then switch to shorter, frequent "accountability check-ins" to maintain momentum.

Customized Plans

The idea is to find what works best for your teen, acknowledging that one stand-alone session per week isn't always enough.

Creative Communication

We might have access to their school portal to track assignments together or set up daily reminder texts to prompt them to start their work.

How We Work with Families

We understand that as a parent, you want to be involved in helping your teen, but it's tricky to find the right balance. The usual route—where parents set the rules and teens push back—often doesn't get us anywhere. We take a different approach that respects your teen's need for independence while keeping you connected.

Communication That Fits Your Family

Every family is unique, so we don't have a one-size-fits-all plan for communication. From the get-go, we'll discuss what level of involvement works best for everyone. Whether you'd like regular updates or prefer less frequent check-ins, we'll develop a plan that respects your teen's privacy but keeps you informed.

Helping You Connect

We share insights and practical tips to help you better connect with your teen. Instead of giving generic advice, we offer suggestions tailored to your family's situation, helping you keep dialogues open and constructive.

Let’s Help Your Teen Together

If you're noticing your teen struggling with focus or organization, we're here to support both of you. Contact Rooted NYC today to schedule your free consultation and start working together to make daily life smoother and more manageable.