Mind Opener

Opening Your Mind To A Better Life

27001 La Paz Road Suite 403

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

(949) 215-4200

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Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 6:00pm

By Appointment

  • (949) 215-4200

Services

My name is Dr. Richard A. Shulman and I provide hope.

That’s because my patients know I care about them and always want the best possible outcome for their specific needs and issues as they navigate their lives. Which brings us to you: Whatever is going on in your life, we will work through today’s issues together, and work as partners for a brighter tomorrow. Whether you are an adult, child or teen, a couple going through turbulent times, or a family looking for peace and harmony at home, you will find an empathetic heart and good psychologist waiting for you here.

For most of us, life isn’t always smooth sailing, so in my practice I use a combination of two modalities to help my patients head for calmer, more peaceful waters.

Rogerian Therapy

The first modality is Rogerian Therapy. This psychodynamic therapeutic approach allows you to take an active and autonomous role in your therapy sessions. It is based on the idea that you know what is best and that the therapist’s role is to facilitate an environment in which you can bring about positive changes in your life. You are the navigator of your life. I’ll help you read the map.
Counseling and Therapy Services in Mission Viejo - Rogerian Therapy

Rogerian Therapy

The first modality is Rogerian Therapy. This psychodynamic therapeutic approach allows you to take an active and autonomous role in your therapy sessions. It is based on the idea that you know what is best and that the therapist’s role is to facilitate an environment in which you can bring about positive changes in your life. You are the navigator of your life. I’ll help you read the map.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The second modality is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This is a short-term goal-oriented therapeutic approach that uses practical techniques to solve problems. The goal is to change your patterns of thinking or behavior which in turn changes the way you think or feel. Think of CBT as taking active steps to changing your life. I have had great success with using this approach for over 20 years and have helped hundreds and hundreds of previous patients.

Counseling and Therapy Services in Mission Viejo - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The second modality is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This is a short-term goal-oriented therapeutic approach that uses practical techniques to solve problems. The goal is to change your patterns of thinking or behavior which in turn changes the way you think or feel. Think of CBT as taking active steps to changing your life. I have had great success with using this approach for over 20 years and have helped hundreds and hundreds of previous patients.

Together we will embark on a journey of
understanding and health

We use these two therapies together to help get you (the patient) get out of crisis and move towards healing. Over the years I have worked with many people from all walks of life in almost every situation. Individuals can learn…
  • How to manage your stress and anxiety
  • To understand and manage depression
  • Assertiveness skills
  • How to avoid crisis
  • How to deal with substance abuse
  • Life skills for successful people
  • Anger management skills
  • How to manage chronic pain and headaches

After you (the patient) is stabilized and out of crisis we move to the second stage of therapy which incorporates psychodynamic philosophies and approaches. During this stage we explore past traumas and repetitions to help develop ego strength and autonomy in your daily lives.

I have worked with patients ranging in age from children with personal challenges to adults, some of whom are CEO’s and executives. I provide these people with a safe and honest environment to help them navigate and persevere through the stressful demands of life.

Individual Counseling

Individual therapy is an opportunity for your own personal growth. You will be guided through the exploration of your unconscious to reach your true self actualized state. Through this personal journey of growth and exploration we will work together to help you uncover your true sense of self and open up your pathways to hope and success, allowing you to identify and reach your true self. Through this process we look at repetitions and patterns of behaviors from past injuries to your psyche and past unconscious learned behaviors that have held you back from succeeding in relationships, opportunities, or life. In a sense, make your unconscious conscious to see where these barriers have hampered or hindered your success.

This awareness will reduce the barriers and increase your ability to start making positive changes in your life, in turn improving your sense of self-worth and uncovering and reaching your true potential, which Maslow calls “Self-Actualization.”

Counseling and Therapy Services in Mission Viejo - a woman at a therapy session

Individual Counseling

Individual therapy is an opportunity for your own personal growth. You will be guided through the exploration of your unconscious to reach your true self actualized state. Through this personal journey of growth and exploration we will work together to help you uncover your true sense of self and open up your pathways to hope and success, allowing you to identify and reach your true self. Through this process we look at repetitions and patterns of behaviors from past injuries to your psyche and past unconscious learned behaviors that have held you back from succeeding in relationships, opportunities, or life. In a sense, make your unconscious conscious to see where these barriers have hampered or hindered your success.

This awareness will reduce the barriers and increase your ability to start making positive changes in your life, in turn improving your sense of self-worth and uncovering and reaching your true potential, which Maslow calls “Self-Actualization.”

Child & Teen Counseling

I work best with children and teens between the ages of 12-18 who are having problems in their personal and academic lives. These young adults are having difficulty navigating problems in their home and social lives, such as depression, anxiety, sleep-related issues, bullying, separation anxiety, and self destructive behaviors (such as drugs, alcohol, self-harm, trichotillomania, tics, concentration and focus issues, etc).

I receive patients referred by schools and medical doctors (pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, neurologists, etc.)  when their students and/or patients are having physical or somatic symptoms (chronic pain, headaches, IBS, or other somatizations) or psychological issues (depression, anxiety, isolation, oppositional defiant, and sleep–related issues).

Counseling and Therapy Services in Mission Viejo - smiling girl during therapy session showing her drawing

Child & Teen Counseling

I work best with children and teens between the ages of 12-18 who are having problems in their personal and academic lives. These young adults are having difficulty navigating problems in their home and social lives, such as depression, anxiety, sleep-related issues, bullying, separation anxiety, and self destructive behaviors (such as drugs, alcohol, self-harm, trichotillomania, tics, concentration and focus issues, etc).

I receive patients referred by schools and medical doctors (pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, neurologists, etc.)  when their students and/or patients are having physical or somatic symptoms (chronic pain, headaches, IBS, or other somatizations) or psychological issues (depression, anxiety, isolation, oppositional defiant, and sleep–related issues).

Family & Parenting Counseling

I work with families to help create peace, harmony, and tranquility within their homes. The parents and I develop and create behavior modification programs based on the specific needs of the family. These needs include sibling rivalries, divorced homes, children who exhibit oppositional behavior, and co-parenting issues, etc. I work with families to reduce parental alienation, fighting, and to increase serenity in the home.

I often help the schools with diagnosis and implementation of academic programs to help these young adults succeed in their lives. I work alongside also help physicians, school psychologists, psychiatrists, or other clinical psychologists to rule out differential diagnoses or comorbidity, often including ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Autism, Dyslexia, and Learning Disorders. Together, we design behavior modification programs for the children with those issues.
Psychologist in Mission Viejo - a selfie family photo

Family & Parenting Counseling

I work with families to help create peace, harmony, and tranquility within their homes. The parents and I develop and create behavior modification programs based on the specific needs of the family. These needs include sibling rivalries, divorced homes, children who exhibit oppositional behavior, and co-parenting issues, etc. I work with families to reduce parental alienation, fighting, and to increase serenity in the home.

I often help the schools with diagnosis and implementation of academic programs to help these young adults succeed in their lives. I work alongside also help physicians, school psychologists, psychiatrists, or other clinical psychologists to rule out differential diagnoses or comorbidity, often including ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Autism, Dyslexia, and Learning Disorders. Together, we design behavior modification programs for the children with those issues.

Marriage & Couples Counseling

Whether you are on the verge of divorce or simply wanting to make a good relationship better, together, we can embark on a journey to improve your communication and create the building blocks for a strong and healthy connection. Whether there are trust issues, infidelities, life changes, blended families, physical or emotional abuse, or even dealing with the daily stresses of life, there is hope. In dealing with these issues, we work to promote healthy, intimate, and empathetic communication, teamwork, and rekindling love in your relationship. Together we will learn new communication skills, which is crucial for helping couples understand each others’ love languages and increasing harmony.
Psychologist in Mission Viejo - happy couple

Marriage & Couples Counseling

Whether you are on the verge of divorce or simply wanting to make a good relationship better, together, we can embark on a journey to improve your communication and create the building blocks for a strong and healthy connection. Whether there are trust issues, infidelities, life changes, blended families, physical or emotional abuse, or even dealing with the daily stresses of life, there is hope. In dealing with these issues, we work to promote healthy, intimate, and empathetic communication, teamwork, and rekindling love in your relationship. Together we will learn new communication skills, which is crucial for helping couples understand each others’ love languages and increasing harmony.

Comprehensive List of Symptoms & Treatments

At Mind-Opener Psychological Services, we help with all of the following:

Conditions,
Symptoms & Situations

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks
  • Autism
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
  • Oppositional Defiant Behavior
  • Pain Management/Headaches
  • Co-Parenting
  • Parental Alienation
  • Parental Reunification
  • Blended Families
  • Alcohol & Substance Abuse
  • Gambling & Other Addictions
  • Domestic Violence
  • Anger Management

Treatments
& Modalities

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Rogerian Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Relaxation Techniques
  • Crisis Management
  • Certified Domestic Violence Counselor
  • Certified Divorce Mediation Counselor
  • Certified Behavioral Medicine
  • Certified Psychological Testing
  • Group Therapy
  • Classes/Workshops/Seminars
  • Psychological Testing
  • Community Education
Contact Dr. Richard A. Shulman

Contact Dr. Richard A. Shulman,
Psychologist

Contact
Dr. Richard A. Shulman,
Psychologist

If you live or work in Orange County, contact me to see if I can help you or someone you love.
To schedule an appointment, please visit my contact page and message me online. Or call me at (949) 215-4200.