Unstuck & On Target®

An Executive Functioning Group for Ages 10–16

Help your child build the skills to get unstuck and move forward. This 14-week group uses the research-based Unstuck and On Target® curriculum to teach practical strategies for flexible thinking, planning, problem solving, and following through.

This group may be a good fit for adolescents who struggle with changes in plans, disappointment, motivation, or reaching goals—including those with ADHD, autism, or other executive functioning difficulties.

Skills We’ll Practice

  • Thinking flexibly and finding room for compromise

  • Managing disappointment and moving forward

  • Setting realistic goals and making workable plans

  • Recognizing obstacles and creating a “Plan B”

  • Building motivation and follow-through

Support for Parents

The program includes 3 virtual parent sessions to help families reinforce these skills at home. Parents will explore how to recognize when a teen needs additional support, communicate effectively, set realistic expectations, and use the curriculum’s coaching strategies.

Group Details

  • Ages: School Aged

  • Group size: 6–8 participants

  • Schedule: 14 weekly sessions, 75 min each

  • Location: 518 Paulding Circle, Suite A, Arroyo Grande

  • Facilitator: Cassidy Kirk, Registered Psychological Associate, supervised by Dr. Tammy Dobbs, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Interested in Joining?

We are currently gathering interest for upcoming groups. Groups are kept small to provide opportunities for participation, connection, and individualized support. Once a group is full, interested families will be placed on a waiting list for the next group.

To learn more or express interest, contact Heather at hello@drtammydobbs.com or (805) 441-9795.

You are also welcome to complete the interest form on this page.

Cassidy Kirk is a Registered Psychological Associate PSB94029631 practicing under the supervision of Tammy Dobbs, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, California License #30073.

FAQ

  • The Executive Functioning Group is a structured, skills-based program designed to help children and adolescents strengthen the skills they use to manage everyday life. Topics include flexible thinking, planning, organization, problem-solving, coping with unexpected changes, and working toward goals. Sessions include discussion, activities, games, and opportunities to practice skills in real-life situations. Take home "Missions" include simple and fun weekly activities for both the child and the parent to support learning and skill acquisition between sessions.

  • This group is designed for school-aged children and adolescents who may struggle with planning, organization, time management, getting started on tasks, adapting when plans change, or managing frustration when things do not go as expected. Participants do not need to have a specific diagnosis to benefit from the group.

  • The program includes 14 weekly group sessions and three parent sessions. Parent sessions help caregivers understand the strategies their child or adolescent is learning and provide practical ways to reinforce these skills at home. Parents will also join for a portion of the final group session.

  • This is not a lecture-style group. Participants learn through interactive activities, challenges, games, group discussions, and real-world scenarios. The goal is to help children and adolescents understand the strategies, practice using them, practice them at home, and learn how to apply them at school, at home, and in other areas of daily life.

  • The group incorporates concepts and strategies from Unstuck & On Target!, an evidence-based executive functioning curriculum. We also use additional activities and examples to make the material engaging, practical, and appropriate for the age and needs of each group.

  • If you are unsure whether your child or adolescent would benefit, please contact us. We are happy to discuss their needs, answer questions about the program, and determine whether the group appears to be an appropriate fit.