Donald Goodman, LCSW, MSW - Expert

Coming from a troubled past, my path to become a therapist has been an exciting, wonderful, life changing experience. I received my undergraduate degree in Philosophy where I critically evaluated how we should treat others as well as ourselves. Ultimately, I realized that "serving man" was how I wanted to make my life more meaningful.

In 1997, I obtained my first job working in the helping profession at an outpatient psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents and quickly a second job at another psychiatric hospital working with adults. In these first two places of employment to this day, I believe that I have seen man in his most painful state. What I learned was, I can handle it and this field is where I want to be.

While I pursued my Master's degree in Social Work,I worked at an outpatient drug treatment program as the lead juvenile drug and alcohol counselor, I was exposed to every aspect of drug and alcohol addiction. I evaluated and assessed new clients, conducted individual and group therapy, provided in writing and in person reports to court, and develped and implemented new material for the program.  I gained experience treating anything from moderate marijuana and alcohol use to chronic, physiological dependent heroin addicts.

In 2001, after receiving my Masters in Social Work, I acceptd employment  at the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) working as a Children's Social Worker. Working in Children and Family Welfare furthered my clinical skills as I gained professional experience, assessing safety and risk, managing crisis, stablizing family situations, and learning about the court processes whether dependency or family law.

In conjunction with my work at DCFS, I began teaching at CSULA and in 2005 I obtained my Clinical License. In 2007, I opened my own private practce in the city of Valencia. After over two years of private practice, my specialties are couples counseling, teen issues,substance abuse, and child custody matters.

What separates me from other therapists is my ability to connect to the client. I believe that it is critical that the client feels validated and understood.

I believe that through my journey, I have been through many of the painful expriences that enables me to understand others. I have also mastered the ability to separate my past from the journey of my clients.