About Don

Ph.D., C.C.Ht., CDMHRS. Health and wellness consultant, certified Hypnotherapist and certified Biofeedback Technician.

Dr. Goodman holds PhDs in Psychology and Music, is a certified Hypnotherapist, certified Biofeedback Technician and certified Disaster Mental Health Response Specialist. He is a graduate of the Chicago School of Psychology, formerly the California Graduate Institute, as well as the Hypnosis Motivation Institute. When on faculty at UCLA, Dr Goodman served as lecturer, clinical instructor and clinician working as the chief health and pain consultant in the Orofacial Pain Department of the UCLA Dental School.

Dr. Goodman, while holding a Doctorate in Music from the University of Southern California, is trained as a concert pianist and specializes in the treatment of performance anxiety. Dr. Goodman is the author of a publication entitled: The Efficacy of Hypnosis for the Alleviation of Performance Anxiety and the Improvement of Performance Quality in Solo Classical Pianists. Don is also a member of the Performing Arts Medicine Association and provides workshops to musicians, actors, athletes, etc., offering private sessions to individuals all with the goal of enhancing performance and ameliorating discomfort and/or anxiety.

Don’s life philosophy is that we as human beings are all subject to the effects of our emotions. The illnesses, pains and emotional challenges that we experience are often the expression of deep unspoken feelings and emotions. Once we can understand and get in touch with those emotions, expressions, feelings, and even thoughts, we can begin the process of healing.

Dr. Goodman combines his long training in music and influences of composers and professors of the past and present with the influences of John Sarno, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Steven Hayes and Freud to bring the best healing possible to both mind and body.

Dr. Goodman has used hypnosis and hypno-neurology as well as biofeedback and ACT therapy for a number of years and has experienced wonderful success with regard to a wide range of challenges. During the first session in which client and consultant get to know each other, a history, treatment plan and pathway are drawn up. The use of any modality is always done with the consent and welfare of the patient in mind.

Specialties

Bruxing, TMD, PTSD and habit reversal
Individual, couples, marriage and family counseling

Treatment Modalities

Mindfulness
Meditation
Spiritual Awareness
Logotherapy
Hypnotherapy and Biofeedback
Wellness
Coherent Breathing

Associations

The Southern California Society of Clinical Hypnosis
The Headache Cooperative of the Pacific
International Association for the Study of Pain (ISAP)
The American Chronic Pain Association
The American Academy of Orofacial Pain
The American Pain Society
The National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI
Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA)

Ask About a Free Consultation

In-office or virtual sessions available. Start with a simple, no-obligation conversation.

Contact Me (818) 917-4524

Testimonials

What Clients Say

5.0Based on 19 Google reviews

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I’ve known Dr Goodman for several years, and he has helped me through some serious problems. Dr Goodman walked me through using some very helpful tools, journaling, mindfulness even breathing techniques when I am anxious . Dr G will help you because he listens to you. (He likes dogs? ) Thanks Dr!

Dr. Goodman was wonderful and exactly what I needed at an important junction in my life. Very grateful for him, his kindness, deep and wide knowledge set and his approach.

I’ve been working with Dr. Goodman for over 6 years to manage severe anxiety and panic disorder. I had tried other therapies and approaches without much success but Dr. Goodman provided the tools and knowledge I needed to make life changing improvements. The work was challenging but it was exactly what was needed and I fully trust his expertise and guidance. I would highly recommend seeing Dr. Goodman if you are looking for meaningful, impactful support.

Dr. Goodman is extremely insightful and draws from a lot of experience. He helped me tremendously with the passing of my dad and resulting (extreme) back pain. He helped me develop my meditation practice and gave practical tools like breathing exercises. He also keeps it real - he gently reminds my of the role I play in my issues. He’s not the type of therapist that just allows you to complain and vent and then takes your money. He will help you develop yourself out of your problems. He really is a special healer. I’m grateful for him.

I met Dr. Goodman during a very dark time in my life. I was suffering from severe pain and had seen numerous medical doctors. I never thought I would get back to a place where I'd feel joy again but my sessions with Dr. Goodman taught me otherwise. Dr. Goodman listens without judgment and if you're lucky enough to have a sense of humor he'll make you laugh during the hard times. He gives practical tools - tools I carry with me to this day. Unlike other therapy I've done, his style made me feel relaxed. But mostly, Dr. Goodman gave me hope. And I'm so incredibly grateful to him.

I’ve seen a few consultants before dr. Goodman, and I’d have to say we truly “click”. He’s tremendously helped me with my anxiety – He not only listens, but provides useful tools and exercises. I’m so grateful for him!

Dr Goodman has given me back my breath! I now have tools to use for every situation. My PTSD Anxiety and depression are nearly all under control thanks to Dr Goodman! My trust in Dr Goodman is profound. My fears were real and debilitating, Dr Goodman retaught me breathing awareness acceptance and mindfulness. I am forever grateful to continue to have him in my team!

When I came to Dr. Goodman, I was extremely anxious, suffered from low self-esteem and often experienced discomfort, or seemingly unresolvable conflict, when communicating with friends and family members. My life has improved tremendously as a direct result of therapy Dr. Goodman. I feel more confident and happy about myself and in my relationships. My communication skills have improved because my anxiety has decreased. I appreciate Dr. Goodman’s genuine concern and thoughtful advice he has provided me during therapy sessions. I consider my therapy with Dr. Goodman to be invaluable and worth every dollar I spent on therapy.

Wonderful fulfilling year of council. Put me back on track with successful results. Thank you Don

The Buddhists say that in a journey of 1000 miles starts with the first step. I am so glad that Dr Goodman was recommended to me. What a breath of fresh air.

I went to Dr. Goodman as I had recurring pain that was very difficult to manage. My wisdom grew thanks to the psychological modalities and techniques I learned from him and I was able to manage any pain so it was no longer an issue. The empowerment this gave me changed my life, giving me the freedom to accomplish goals I would not have been able to otherwise. I highly recommend Dr. Goodman, I wish there were more health and wellness consultants with his wisdom.

Dr. Goodman treated me successfully for chronic health anxiety from Sep 2020 to Jan 2025. We met face-to-face weekly through 2020, then bi-weekly.
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I look back with satisfaction and some amusement at the long list of physical symptoms that I urgently handed to Dr. Goodman at one of our first meetings. Today, in hindsight, it seems obvious that most of these were imaginary symptoms or at worst symptoms whose severity I exaggerated in my mind.
How did Dr. Goodman cure me? We talked. He taught me breathing for relaxation early on. We talked more and he found common ground with me on many fundamental problems in life.
My natural inclination towards health anxiety was exacerbated by benzodiazepine prescriptions that various MDs fed me starting 2005, initially from my primary care physician for a not-sleeping-well complaint. However, starting in 2008, a series of MDs specializing in psychiatry kept me in a state of agitated addiction to various benzodiazepines, what they euphemistically called “dependence”. This was done despite well-known, even famous, public info on the harmful effects of benzodiazepine addiction by prescription. Think: the book and movie, “I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can” and the Rolling Stones song, “Mother’s Little Helper”.
My breakthrough came in March 2021 when I decided to quit taking the benzos and quit seeing the latest psychiatrist who was ostensibly trying to taper me off benzos, but in fact was prescribing doses on a roller coaster trajectory in line with my current reported level of heath anxiety.
How did I reach a psychological state where I could objectively assess my prospects without benzos vis-a-vis a continuation of my life ever fearful for my health and addicted/ dependent on benzos? Credit Dr. Goodman.
Subsequent meetings with Dr. Goodman after March 2021 helped me consolidate my newly transformed prior obsessions with physical symptoms. Additionally, our meetings afforded me the opportunity to discuss a variety of life issues with a man of great knowledge, judgment and compassion – Dr. Don Goodman.

Dr. Goodman is a great listener, very bright so understands what you’re explaining, compassionate, very client and gives excellent advice.

His depth of knowledge in this area is truly impressive, but I find his expertise and insight into all aspects of psychology, life, culture, the arts, and any number of other topics as equally impressive and beneficial.

I am & have known Dr. Goodman for many years. I was in our shared office suite with other therapists.
Dr. Goodman is a professional therapist who has treated & guided countless clients to live their best lives for decades. Dr. Goodman truly cares for his clients.

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