We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Haleh Kouchmeshki a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Haleh, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

The story of how Dr. Haleh Kouchmeshki founded NeuroObjectives, her holistic and research-based academic coaching program, is one of deep personal dedication, years of learning, and a commitment to combining her diverse passions—education, psychology, and yoga—into something that could truly help others. It began with a foundation rooted in both her personal experiences and academic journey, which laid the groundwork for her eventual practice.

Dr. Kouchmeshki’s decision to start her own practice was shaped by her broad and varied experiences. Having been a student-athlete growing up, she developed a strong work ethic and learned early on how to balance multiple responsibilities and priorities. Her academic path—from earning her B.A. in psychology at UCLA on an academic scholarship to completing a M.A. at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education & Psychology, and later a doctorate in clinical psychology at Azusa Pacific University—was filled with rich, hands-on training in neuropsychology and clinical work. Over the years, Dr. Kouchmeshki saw firsthand how the challenges students face often stemmed not only from academic struggles, but also from emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Her work with children, teens, young adults—particularly those with emotional disabilities due to trauma—at Connections Therapeutic Day School, alongside her clinical experience at top neuropsychology centers like UCLA’s Longevity Center, solidified her understanding that traditional educational approaches often overlooked the complex relationship between the brain, behavior, and emotional well-being. While she appreciated her work in clinical settings, it became clear that her true passion lay in bridging the gap between neuroscience, education, and mental health. This was the driving force behind creating NeuroObjectives.

Haleh, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

What sets NeuroObjectives apart is the integration of clinical psychology, mindfulness, and evidence-based therapeutic techniques in one comprehensive program. While many educational programs focus solely on academic skills, I recognize that academic success is deeply intertwined with emotional well-being and mental health. By combining psychological insights, executive functioning strategies, and mind-body practices, my approach ensures that students develop holistic skills to overcome challenges both in the classroom and beyond.

Additionally, my extensive background in psychology and educational therapy allows me to offer a scientifically grounded approach to learning, focusing on how students’ brains process information, respond to stress, and build resilience. This evidence-based approach is further enhanced by the incorporation of yoga and meditation—practices that are proven to reduce anxiety, improve focus, and support mental clarity, all of which are crucial for academic success.

I’m most proud of the positive impact NeuroObjectives has had on my students and their families. Seeing a student who once struggled with focus and anxiety transform into a confident, organized individual who thrives academically is incredibly rewarding. The feedback I receive from parents and students alike reaffirms that this integrated approach—combining clinical psychology, educational therapy and mindfulness practices—really makes a difference.

I’m also proud of the growth of NeuroObjectives itself. What started as a small idea—filling a gap in the educational coaching world—has blossomed into a program that continues to evolve and expand to meet the diverse needs of my clients. I feel privileged to work with such motivated and dedicated students and their families.

If you’re considering working with me or learning more about NeuroObjectives, here are a few things you should know:

Holistic Approach: My approach combines the best of psychology, neuroscience, and mindfulness to ensure that we address the whole person—not just the academic challenges.

Personalized Support: Each student’s needs are unique, so I tailor my program to fit the individual, focusing on their specific strengths and areas for growth.

Building Lifelong Skills: Whether through executive skills coaching or educational therapy, my goal is to equip students with tools that will help them succeed not just in school, but in life.

Mindfulness Matters: The integration of yoga and meditation is not just a “nice-to-have” feature. These practices are scientifically proven to help with focus, emotional regulation, and stress reduction, which are all vital to academic success.

Proven Results: I’m passionate about helping students unlock their full potential, and the results speak for themselves. The positive transformations I see in students—from improved grades to better emotional regulation—are why I love what I do.

I’m here to help students reframe their challenges as opportunities for growth. Together, we can unlock their neural pathways and set them on the path to lifelong success.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been building strong, trusting relationships with both families and colleagues. I believe that my work speaks for itself, and word-of-mouth referrals from those who’ve experienced the positive impact of NeuroObjectives have been key to my growth. Families appreciate the personalized, holistic approach I offer, and many of my clients come to me through recommendations from other parents or educators who have seen firsthand how I help students overcome challenges. Additionally, the connections I’ve built with colleagues in schools, clinics, and through speaking engagements have helped spread the word about the value of integrating academic coaching with psychological and mindfulness techniques. These relationships create a solid foundation for ongoing referrals and growth, as my clients trust me to provide the comprehensive support they need.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments of resilience in my journey came during and in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the uncertainty and challenges of the global crisis, I was navigating an exceptionally demanding period in my career. I completed my predoctoral internship, earned my doctoral degree, fulfilled my postdoctoral hours, and prepared for and passed my licensing exams—all while continuing to see clients through NeuroObjectives.

The demands were immense. I often worked over 70-hour weeks—juggling clinical hours, building my business, and managing the emotional toll of studying all of the things I had EVER learned for my licensing exam. Despite the exhaustion and the overwhelming pressure, I knew how critical it was to keep moving forward, both for my clients and for my practice. There were days when it felt impossible to keep up, but my commitment to my students, their families, and my vision for NeuroObjectives kept me grounded.

I spent hours refining my coaching programs, adjusting to remote sessions, and making sure that my clients continued to receive the highest level of care and support, even in such uncertain times. It wasn’t just about surviving the pandemic; it was about ensuring that the work I had built could continue to help students unlock their full potential, no matter what obstacles were thrown our way.

Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how I was able to balance these multiple responsibilities while pushing through personal and professional challenges. It was a test of resilience, and it reaffirmed my belief in the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and my dedication to the people I serve. Despite the difficulties, I emerged stronger, with my business thriving, my goals met, and a renewed sense of determination to continue helping my clients grow and succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.neuroobjectives.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleh-kouchmeshki-psyd-99436a164/