Member Highlight — Sipan Nazaryan, Student/Prelicensed

Royce Goldman, LMFT

Royce Goldman's Journey from Educator to Psychotherapist. Born into the optimism of the Baby Boomer generation, Royce Goldman was raised with the conviction that she had the power and responsibility to effect change in the world. That aspiration, she would find, would not only fuel her professional journey but would also continually reshape it. Today, as a respected psychotherapist, she reflects on the winding path that has brought her here, from her early days as an educator to her pursuit of specialized training that helped her understand and navigate the complexities of neurodivergent conditions.

The earliest seeds of Goldman's career were sown in classrooms, not therapy rooms. She devoted herself to helping others develop reading skills. But as she progressed through the educational system, she grew more and more conscious of its shortcomings, particularly in terms of meeting the needs of students with disabilities.

This awareness became clear when she began administering student assessments at Ramona Elementary School in Hollywood. She frequently got involved in difficult, emotional talks with parents who were trying to understand and cope with conditions like ADHD, ADD, and autism. Royce understood that these parents were experiencing grief, frequently without realizing it. She was also struggling with her own sense of powerlessness as she was unable to completely offer them the support they needed. Goldman's work around grief are influenced by the work of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler, specifically Kessler's seminal book, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. This foundation has allowed her to develop an inclusive and empathetic approach to therapy that not only focuses on the child but also the larger system around them.

Recognizing this gap, Goldman embarked on a transformative educational journey that would equip her with the necessary tools to address these challenges head-on. Already armed with a BA from UCLA, she earned her Masters from USC before undertaking a nighttime program at Pepperdine for a Masters in clinical psychology.

At the Family Service Agency in Burbank, Goldman launched her psychotherapy career, sharpening her ability to establish meaningful connections with clients and embracing a dual role as a therapist and parent coach. Her quest for learning led her to the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART), fortifying her belief in customizing care to the individual, achieved through careful listening to understand the client and their context.

She embarked on a path that took her back to academia, leading her to acquire another Master’s degree, this time from the University of Southern California. Her focus: special education with an emphasis on learning disabilities.

Understanding and addressing the needs of the developing mind is a central tenet of Goldman's work, and she highly recommends several works by Daniel J. Siegel for anyone interested in this field. Top among her recommendations are, The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, NowMaps: A Tween’s Guide to Learning About Your Thoughts, Navigating Big Emotions, and Being a Confident Kid, and Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain. These books not only inform her work but also provide valuable resources for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of a child's growing mind.

Goldman also places a high premium on DBT, or dialectical behavior therapy, particularly when it comes to skills training with adolescents. In her experience, DBT provides a useful guide into the adolescent mind. It aids in navigating their emotional ups and downs and helps to bring clarity and comprehension to a stage of life that can often seem chaotic and confusing.

Additionally, Goldman raises awareness of non-suicidal, self-injurious behavior, a concerning trend among young people. She highlights the importance of parental vigilance, especially concerning children's activities on various online platforms like Discord, TikTok, Reddit, and even within video games.

Central to Goldman's technique is the use of mindfulness practices. Though she does not explicitly label them as such, her methods of blowing bubbles and square breathing have proven effective in managing high levels of anxiety among her clients. These simple techniques foster a sense of calm and control in a world that can often seem overwhelming to a young mind.

But perhaps Goldman's most poignant observation is captured in her own words: “Once children feel safe, secure, supported, and seen, you get a lot of buy-in from that kid, and they trust you.” This encapsulates her philosophy perfectly. It underscores her commitment to creating an environment where children are not just helped, but are also seen, heard, and, above all, valued.

A pivotal turning point in Royce’s career was when she was convinced to become the principal at El Oro Way Elementary School. Initially, she was reluctant to take on the role. However, her familiarity with the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and her experiences in helping parents navigate it, along with her role as the assistant principal at the time, led her to a program in education leadership and policy studies at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

She humorously recalls the effort it took to rise to the challenge: "Long story short, I had to take 50 million exams" for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). As principal, Goldman pursued a vision of inclusivity for children with disabilities. She wanted them fully integrated in classrooms, supported, and normalized.

"Diversity in ability is important," Goldman insists, emphasizing that the world is made up of all different types of people. This ethos informed her leadership, which she carried out for four years. In 2009, as part of a district restructuring, school administrators was offered an incentive to retire, and so she became more focused on her private practice.

Throughout her time as a principal, Goldman continued to work at the Family Service Agency in Burbank, offering parenting classes. Despite the administrative responsibilities, she remained rooted in her commitment to parents, children, and their well-being.

A cornerstone of Goldman's private practice work is her frequent parent meetings. Held every six weeks, these sessions provide a platform for Goldman to recommend books, parenting strategies, and outline treatment plans for her clients. This approach is informed by her extensive background in education and reflects a level of transparency that is highly valued by her clientele.

When asked about her therapeutic modality, Goldman describes herself as more eclectic than anything but remains a behaviorist at heart. Throughout her career, she's found that dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and humanistic therapy are particularly effective. She notes that children with ADD and ADHD often require more concrete tools, an insight gained through years of hands-on experience.

Goldman reflects on the challenges she's faced in her career, "It's always a challenge because it's always different. That's the beauty of it, you never get bored." This sentiment is the driving force behind her pursuit of various degrees and her passion for the complex puzzle each client presents. For those considering a career in psychotherapy, Goldman emphasizes the importance of patience and self-compassion. She recommends therapists seek their own therapy and focus on being the un-anxious presence in the room, constantly assessing for their own countertransference. She speaks candidly about common misconceptions in therapy, particularly children's fear of being perceived as “wrong.” Goldman works tirelessly to normalize these emotions and recommends The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey to her clients.

Goldman is a longstanding member of the San Fernando Valley CAMFT. She cites the organization as an excellent resource for continued learning and networking, offering affordable law and ethics CE credits and hosting engaging speakers.

As for self-care, Goldman relishes time spent with her grandsons, aged eight and four, and braves the 405 from Northridge to West LA just to see them. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, daily exercise, and meditation. An ardent fan of Jane Austen, she finds joy in reading and attending plays with her husband and friends.

In Royce Goldman, we see a beacon of warmth and understanding for the intricate world of child psychotherapy. Her multifaceted approach, shaped by her diverse experiences and continuous learning, illuminates her dedication to her clients and their families. The lessons she shares with both clients and peers are imbued with wisdom, making her a valued and respected figure in the field. Her career has seen various shifts, from teacher to principal to advocate, but her mission has always remained clear: to foster an environment of support and understanding for all children, no matter their abilities or challenges. Through her tireless work, Royce Goldman continues to set an example for others in her field, proving that with determination and compassion, one can truly make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

In Burbank or through telehealth, Royce Goldman, LMFT, MS, Ed, MA, is a therapist working primarily with kids, teenagers, adolescents, and their families that have disabling conditions. Royce has experience as an educator and is knowledgeable with the IEP process. She can be contacted at 818.517.7297.

Sipan Nazaryan, is a therapist trainee at Child & Teen Counseling in Woodland Hills, working under the supervision of Kent Toussaint. Sipan is currently pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. He may be contacted at 818.452.3216 or Sipan@ChildTeenCounseling.org.