Dr. Andrew Goldberg
My story
Growing up, I had a great childhood except for when I was in school.
That felt like a prison.
I was not okay sitting still at a desk and being talked at all day.
The phrases I heard most were “sit still” and “be quiet.” Because I couldn’t do either, they were usually followed by, “get out!”
For most kids, that third line would have been embarrassing.
For me, it was freedom.
Once I was out the door, I was back where I wanted to be because I was far more interested in what was going on inside my head than anything happening around me. My thoughts felt alive. I could disappear into them for hours.
Then puberty hit, and everything changed.
My mind became an unbearable place to be.
That’s when I found cannabis.
At first, it was awesome. It quieted my mind and made me feel good. But it didn’t last. So I kept doing more. Trying other drugs. Pushing further. Eventually, heroin.
Then the consequences started piling up. At school. At home. With the legal system.
By the time I was twenty, my body had shut down and I went to rehab.
After 17 days, I got out. Not because I was ready, but because my insurance ran out.
I wasn’t okay. I was just out.
Thankfully, I wasn’t alone.
I had a friend who got sober a year before me, and he helped me start building a community. My family helped me find a therapist.
At first, therapy and community were lifelines. I leaned on them hard.
Early sobriety wasn’t easy. Some friends died. Others went to prison. A few turned their lives around.
Slowly, things began to change.
I started getting my life back. I showed up for things I used to care about. I played in bands. I worked an honest job. I learned yoga.
Eventually, I went back to school.
This time, I stayed.
I earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate in clinical psychology.
Today, I’ve dedicated my career to helping people better understand their minds, emotions, habits, and suffering. I also create tools that make mental and emotional wellness more accessible and affordable.