Ian Jeffers, Ph.D.

Ian Jeffers, PhD is an educator, writer, and parent whose work blends evidence-informed strategy with the creative, whole-person understanding that helps students feel like they can do what needs to be done. Ian supports clients in building practical systems for follow-through—organization, planning, attention, and emotional regulation—while also helping them develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship to their own minds.

Drawing from his background in psychology and neuroscience, he helps students understand the “why” behind what they’re experiencing—whether that challenge shows up as inconsistent performance, low motivation, or uncertainty about how to proceed. He collaborates with families and, when appropriate, a student’s broader network of supports to create strategies that can hold up in their real academic lives.

Before joining LA MindWorks, Ian earned a Doctorate in Psychology and Neuroscience at Princeton University, where his research explored the connections between cognitive and visuomotor processing. He later completed an NIH postdoctoral fellowship at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine / Brain Research Institute, where he taught in neurology and psychiatry. His research has been recognized with awards from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Lighthouse Blindness Research Foundation.

Alongside his scientific training, Ian has spent years teaching writing and storytelling—most recently as an Assistant Professor of Advanced Screenwriting at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and as an instructor at UCLA Extension and UC Berkeley Extension. This dual background in science and the arts shapes his work with students who are bright, creative, and capable, but who may struggle to translate their strengths into consistent academic output—particularly in writing-intensive contexts.