Executive functions are a collection of higher level cognitive abilities that support decision making, planning, attentional focus, and error correction. Executive functions are associated with the frontal lobes of the brain, but they are mediated by distributed networks across the brain. Individuals with executive function have impairment difficulty completing tasks efficiently both at home and on the job. 

The main objectives of GMT are to train individuals to periodically “STOP” what they are doing, attend to task goals, evaluate their performance, and monitor or check outcomes as they proceed. GMT principles are derived from clinical and neuroscientific research concerning attention and keeping goals in mind. Training and practice of these steps improves the ability to withstand interference from distractions and to efficiently achieve chosen goals.

GMT is structured into nine modules, with interactive discussions to raise awareness of various aspects of goal management, tasks that illustrate goal management concepts in action, and homework assignments to facilitate the transfer of concepts to real life. Modules are typically administered in group or individual weekly sessions ranging from 1-2 hours in length, with additional communications and therapist interactions over the course of training.

A new adaptation of GMT – GMT Foundations – is available for settings or applications where a nine-week course is impractical.

GMT can be administered by a qualified therapist who has completed GMT certification (through our new eLearning course or a prior workshop) and who has purchased the GMT materials (GMT Digital Tools or kits). Baycrest provides training and materials for how to administer GMT, but we do not provide general training on psychotherapeutic or rehabilitation interventions. Only qualified therapists who are registered / licensed health care providers in their jurisdiction can administer GMT. GMT therapists typically practice occupational therapy, psychology, or rehabilitation, among other disciplines. Advanced knowledge of the cognitive science or neuropsychological theory is helpful, but not required for GMT administration.

GMT was originally developed for patients with executive function impairment due to traumatic brain injury, age-related cognitive changes, and stroke. It has since been applied in over 60 studies, including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, post-critical care cognitive impairment, ADHD, PTSD, and other conditions. More recently, GMT has been used to treat cognitive deficits in mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD, OCD, substance abuse, and schizophrenia, as well as in disabled workers. In general, all of these conditions cause executive function impairment due to effects on the brain's frontal lobes or distributed systems across the brain, which in turn compromises attentional processing. GMT is being actively used in numerous research trials internationally.