Dr. Richard Mouzon
Founder and CEO of UpReach International, Dr. Richard Mouzon knows firsthand the struggles that individuals with disabilities face. At the age of 19, with one year of college behind him, the 6’3” athlete Richard Mouzon fell asleep at the wheel of his car, broke his neck and injured his spine changing his life forever.
Despite the obvious struggles that he would face, Richard Mouzon’s aspirations required that he continue his studies despite his new limitations. Armed with a burning desire to achieve, Richard enrolled in Georgia State University ("GSU") two years after his accident. Due to physical limitations he was unable to write, so he sought the assistance of fellow students and office personnel to transcribe and type papers and other assignments. Richard went on to achieve a total of four (4) degrees: a B.A. in Sociology in 1971; a M.Ed. in Counseling and Psychological Services in 1973; a M.A. in Psychology in 1980; and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1985. Richard became the first disabled student to achieve his Ph.D. at the University and the first African-American student to earn a Ph.D. in the department of Psychology.
After receiving his Master’s Degree, Richard’s first job was as a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Georgia DHR's Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. While there, he had a caseload of over 50 spinal cord injured patients, either quadriplegics or paraplegics--a first in specialized caseloads in the State of Georgia.
There were no public transportation services for disabled persons at the time, and disabled persons were either transported in personal cars or taken in the back of hearses on stretchers or gurneys to hospitals for treatment. Through a raffle at GSU, Richard was able to raise nearly $4,000 to purchase a Chevrolet van which became the first public transportation for the disabled in the State. The van allowed persons with disabilities to sit upright and to be transported in a dignified manner. Continuing his commitment to make life easier for the disabled, Dr. Mouzon also wrote a proposal to develop living quarters for disabled persons and to provide a halfway station to allow them to be educated and trained to work.
Dr. Mouzon currently runs a successful general psychology practice where he provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to individuals and couples in the Atlanta area.
In addition, he currently sits on the Boards of Friends of Disabled Adults and Children and Just for You, a non-profit organization providing attendant care for individuals with disabilities. Previous Board commitments include the Shepherd Center Research Review Committee, American Friends Service Committee, National Mental Health Association of Georgia, Charter Midtown Psychiatric Hospital, Easter Seals of Georgia, Licensing Board of Occupational Therapy, Georgia State University Department of Physical Therapy, Emory Regional Research and Training Center. Dr. Mouzon also previously served as the Ambassador for the International Student Exchange (INSA) at Georgia State University.
Dr. Mouzon is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association of Black Psychologists and the National Mental Health Association of Georgia.