Family therapy and counseling in Chula Vista, CA

I genuinely like people, have always love to help ,

Will take my clients through the therapeutic process, with empathy and care for their experience in therapy to be a positive one.

My name is Joey Ritkes (he/him). I have been working as a mental health therapist for over five years. My practice has primarily been specialized in working with LGBTQ+ youth. However, I have worked with couples, families, emerging adults, and adults from all backgrounds. I am a client-centered therapist who enjoys working collaboratively with my clients to meet their goals.

I am a passionate clinical therapist who loves working with children, women, couples and families going through challenging times. Are you and your your child having trouble communicating? Are you and your spouse having trouble communicating? Do you see them going through a hard time, long to help but don't know how? Do you suffer from Bipolar Disorder? I am here for you. Do you feel undone by anxiety or depression and don't know how to "shake it off"?

I believe every person is unique with their own story to tell. Working with people is my passion and I bring every tool I have learned both professional and in my own life to meet a person's goals in therapy.

I am passionate about the power of the therapeutic process and helping individuals and families find hope and healing. Together, we will set goals and work towards achieving them - all at a pace that works best for you.

I specialize in working with adults, adolescents and families living with depression, anxiety, trauma, and challenges in relationships.

I have been practicing for 40 + years, in the Southbay, Torrance area. I am a psychologist with a Ph.D. I specialize with young children, adolescence. I also work with couples, families and am practized in depression, anxiety, psychosis, and divorce. I utalize cognitive/behavioral and psychdynamic therapies. I match my approach to the personality and needs of thebpatient.

As a Christian therapist, I walk with clients to strengthen and support them in learning self compassion, understanding their worth, finding insight and living wisely. I have studied psychology and marriage and family therapy for over 13 years and have been in practice as a therapist for 7 of those years. I have intentionally learned and applied principles and practices which help clients sustain growth from hurts, unprocessed feelings and lack of direction toward more energy, enjoyment and purposefulness in life again.

I look forward to consulting with you to see if our therapeutic work would fit with you!

A core priority in my work is helping clients reclaim the power of their voice. Therapy is most meaningful as a collaborative process where you are not only heard, but truly attempted to be known. As an Iranian American therapist, I understand the richness and complexity of holding multiple cultural identities. I especially enjoy supporting Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), as well working with teenagers and adults navigating identity formation, relationships, and the often tender process of growing into themselves. There’s room here for deep healing, honest conversations, and the occasional ‘okay, but why is my brain doing THAT?’

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a specialization in spirituality and depth psychology. At the heart of my work is a deep belief that healing begins with self-love and unconditional acceptance — for yourself, not just others. I've seen how harsh self-judgment holds people back, so I bring a compassionate, non-critical presence to every session. I also believe strongly in building graceful boundaries and healthy self-care routines as the foundation for a fulfilling life. Whatever has brought you here — grief, a difficult relationship, trauma, or simply a desire to know yourself better — I'm here to walk alongside you without judgment.