Midlife Doesn’t Come With a Manual, But This Is Close…
We offer a practical, psychologist-led course and group coaching experience for women who feel overwhelmed, want to understand their brains, and would like to stop the freight train headed to burnout town.
Plus we also offer in-person and virtual workshops, tons of resources, and random cute pics of our Director of Coziness (Hazel the fabulous rescue pup). Sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know…
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, but available to support amazing women nationwide
Ready to Finally Get That Shiitake Done?
(Sorry, can’t quite bring myself to swear on my own website yet…just over a glass of wine)
If you're a high achieving professional woman or working mom who struggles with focus, overwhelm, and getting things done, you're in the right place. Empowered Focus specializes in executive function skill coaching and burnout prevention tailored for professional women who are killing it at work (perhaps at the cost of some epic burnout), but feeling lost in daily life. In other words, my course helps you to get to know yourself better and figure out the systems to help you stop feeling like you’re running on empty.
Because “having it all together” wasn’t supposed to feel this exhausting.
On the outside, you’re holding it all together- at work, maybe even at home too. But inside, it feels like:
You’re always behind
Forgetful at the worst times
Running on empty
Constantly overwhelmed
Your body feels off. You’re more emotional than you used to be. No matter how hard you try, it feels impossible to get on steady ground.
And the most frustrating part? You’ve tried the strategies, but nothing seems to stick. You know what you’re doing now isn’t working- but you don’t know where to turn next.
That’s why you’re here.
It’s time to strengthen your executive function skills and get your inner CEO working for you, not against you.
Hi! I’m Dr. Liz- a psychologist, adult educator, and coach specializing in burnout prevention and executive function skill coaching for busy working women.
I share practical, actionable ideas that help you transform overwhelm into clarity and confidence- while balancing the demands of work, family, and (yes!) time for yourself.
With years of real world experience, I know what really helps when it comes to building skills that last and keeping burnout at bay.
And along the way? We’ll make sure it feels a little lighter, a little easier…and hopefully have some fun while we’re at it.
What are Executive Functions?
I’m so glad you asked!
Executive function skills (or sometime just call executive skills or executive functions…depends on who you ask) are the brain-based skills everyone needs to get things done. They are NOT the same as intelligence. You can read more in my blog where I explain them in a bit more detail.
Executive function skills are mostly directed by your prefrontal cortex (the part of your brain behind your forehead), which is essentially the “CEO” of your brain.
Everyone has their own strengths and areas to grow when it comes to executive functioning - whether you have ADHD or not. The good news here is that no labels are needed to benefit from strengthening these skills and seeing real, positive changes in your life. You’re welcome however you come.
Most of the information out there on executive functioning is really awesome and comprehensive. But let’s be honest, also kind of jargon-filled and dry.
Like eating unsalted almonds (which of course I eat because…midlife mama over here needs her protein).
So what if we thought about those executive functions as people we actually know from the working world instead?
Let’s have a little fun with this- life doesn’t always have to be so serious.
And as someone who grew up with Office Space and The Office, I can’t resist an office metaphor…
So…let’s imagine your brain as an office for a minute.
Each executive function skill is like a teammate with a specific role.
When they work well together, things run smoothly. When they don’t…well, you know how that goes.
And honestly? Thinking about it this way makes it a lot more fun to talk about (and way easier to understand).
So…take a minute and call in your inner child who still likes to be silly and imagine things and let’s pretend we can go inside your brain and meet your “brain office staff.” Let’s call our office PF Cortex Consulting :
Meet the PF Cortex Consulting Team (aka your brain’s IMAGINARY executive function office team)
Each of the team members below represents an executive function cluster, all led by your brain’s “CEO,” the prefrontal cortex.
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Patricia Foster Coolidge
CEO (aka Prefrontal Cortex)
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Rita Irwin
HR Director (aka Response Inhibition and Emotional Control)
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Wendy Malone
Executive Assistant (aka Working Memory and Sustained Attention)
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Theresa Martin
Operations Manager (aka Organization and Time Management)
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Tina Ingram
Team Lead (aka Task Initiation and Follow Through)
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Penelope Pastor
Project Manager (aka Planning/Prioritizing)
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Madeline Montgomery
Quality Assurance Manager (Self-Monitoring and Metacognition)
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Sydney Frederick Thompson
Customer Service Manager (aka Flexibility and Stress Tolerance)
You deserve to thrive, not just survive
Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual (wouldn’t that be nice?). And when executive function challenges are part of your daily routine, it’s even easier to find yourself standing at the edge of burnout.
Have a “traditional” (40 hours per week +) job and a mom (24 hours/7days per week)? That’s basically way more than two full time jobs. No wonder it feels overwhelming.
Executive function struggles can show up everywhere: at work, at home, in the little daily details that keep piling up. Suddenly it feels like you’re drowning, even though you’re working harder than ever. The truth is, it’s not about trying more—it’s about finding systems that actually work for your brain so you can feel steady and confident as you move through your day.
And here’s the best part: you don’t need a diagnosis to benefit from this work. Yes, executive function challenges are common with ADHD and neurodivergence—but these skills matter for anyone who’s juggling big responsibilities and feeling stretched thin. Labels welcome, but not required.
You already have the intelligence, creativity, and drive to thrive in your career and your life. What you need are structures that make the basics easier—so your energy can go toward the things you really care about. Together, we’ll build those systems and stop burnout before it sneaks in.
So what does that look like in real life?
Let’s talk about how I can help.
How I can help
Here’s the thing: you already have the strengths you need to thrive.
Sometimes they’re just buried under stress, self-doubt, or systems that don’t fit your brain.
My role? To help you uncover those strengths and put them to work front and center.
So how do we make that happen?
I offer:
Practical, evidence-based strategies designed around you—to strengthen executive function skills, shift your mindset, and build real confidence.
Community-based courses where we roll up our sleeves and do the hard work together (because you don’t have to figure this out alone).
Flexible coaching and training options—built to fit your schedule, not compete with it
Consulting and workshops that bring these same tools into your actual workplace, so your real office runs as smoothly as your brain office.
Work with me
Onsite or Virtual Workshops
In order to help an individual, it often works best to address the entire system. I love working with teams and doing workshops at businesses and schools.
I offer interactive and engaging workshops. No “sage on the stage” lectures here.
Virtual options are available nationwide. Local options are available onsite if your business or school is in the greater Madison, WI area.
Lattes with Liz Productivity Sessions
Need a group of folks to join online weekly to get stuff done? Grab your coffee and join me for weekly a facilitated independent work session. Affordable and dependable- there’s no reason to work alone.
Online Learning and Community
Want to sit back and relax with a cozy drink and your computer while learning strategies on your own time? And then meet up for feedback, goal setting, and accountability? Plus connect with other lovely ladies who are in the same boat as you? Then my online community might be the place for you.
FAQs
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Empowered Focus helps busy working moms and professionals strengthen their executive function skills: things like planning, organization, time management, and stress tolerance. Instead of traditional 1:1 coaching (although we do that from time to time, so contact us if that’s what you’re looking for), we provide practical, research-backed tools you can access on your own time, plus opportunities to connect in courses and workshops.
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Downloadable tools & guides designed to help you reset routines, reduce mental load, and manage daily overwhelm.
The Empowered Focus Newsletter, which delivers actionable executive function strategies directly to your inbox.
Online courses with group coaching elements, where you can learn skills alongside others and get live guidance.
Workshops for businesses & organizations on executive function, stress management, and productivity.
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Our tools are created for high-achieving working moms and professionals who feel stretched thin. If you’re juggling career, family, and personal responsibilities and often feel scattered, stuck, or burned out - Empowered Focus was built with you in mind.
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Each resource is designed to target specific executive function challenges:
Planning & prioritizing : reset routines and task management systems
Time management: practical ways to fit priorities into a busy schedule
Stress tolerance: strategies to reduce burnout and manage the mental load
Organization & follow-through: tools for getting unstuck and following through on commitments
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No. While some clients have ADHD, many are simply overwhelmed by the pace of modern life. Executive function skills benefit anyone who wants to feel more focused, intentional, and balanced.
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Our courses and downloads are educational and skills-based. They are not therapy and do not replace medical or mental health treatment. Instead, they focus on practical strategies you can immediately apply to your daily routines.
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Start with a downloadable tool or guide if you want something quick and actionable.
Join the newsletter if you prefer small, consistent strategies over time.
Enroll in the online course if you want deeper skill-building with the option for group coaching support.
Book a workshop for your team if you want organizational-level support.
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Yes! You can sign up for our free newsletter and explore free guides that give you a taste of the Empowered Focus approach.
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Absolutely. All digital products and courses are accessible online, no matter where you’re located. If you’re a business looking for an onsite workshop, message me and we can talk about traveling to you. I love a great excuse for a trip!
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Browse our resources, download a guide, or sign up for the newsletter. If you’re interested in workshops or courses, you can view upcoming offerings or contact us for more information.
I support women and teams who are ready to stop drowning in overwhelm and start working with their brains, not against them.
Working moms juggling career and family. Just had a baby and trying to move your career forward? Or maybe you’ve got a house full of teenagers keeping your nervous system on high alert while you run the show at work. Either way—you don’t have to white-knuckle it. I can help you feel more confident while spinning all those plates.
Midlife moms in the sandwich generation. Caring for kids and aging parents—while also managing a demanding career? That’s a lot (understatement of the year). You’ve worked so hard to get here. Let’s build systems to help you get it all done—or even better, decide what you can finally let go of.
Women with known executive function challenges. Maybe you have an ADHD diagnosis, maybe you’re pretty sure you do, or maybe you just know that life feels harder than it should. Either way, we’ll focus less on labels and more on strategies that actually work.
And it’s not just individuals—I also love working with corporate and school teams.
Bring me into your workplace to make executive function skills practical, understandable, and actionable—so your whole team can feel less stressed, more productive, and yes, even happier. And if you’re in the Madison, WI area, I’d love to come out in person.
Here’s what some of past workshop participants had to say:
Let’s be clear here…this isn’t just about building skills.
We’ll also focus on shifting your mindset so you truly believe in the growth you’re capable of.
And we’ll build the kind of confidence that helps you thrive as both a mother and a professional. Say goodbye to that bully “imposter syndrome”—he’s not invited to this party anymore.
Preventing burnout takes a full-picture approach: noticing what you really need and giving yourself permission to honor it..
Still not sure where to start?
Curious about my individualized training and consulting services for your workplace or school? In the greater Madison, WI area? I’d love to come out to your workplace.
Not sure if I can help? Reach out on my contact page. I love to chat (I am a psychologist after all…)!