Find a therapist in El Cajon, CA — covered by insurance


Top therapists in El Cajon, CA accepting new patients
Find mental health support in El Cajon with 8,989 licensed providers ready to help. Headway connects you with therapists in Rancho San Diego, Lakeside, and Bostonia who offer flexible in-person and virtual sessions covered by insurance. Many patients pay $0 per session—start your free intake call today.
Whether you're a professional navigating workplace stress and burnout, an athlete managing performance pressure, or someone carrying more responsibility than most, therapy can help you find your footing without sacrificing what you've built. I have particular expertise working with first responders, healthcare workers, and professionals in high-stress fields who carry the emotional weight of demanding work — and who need support that meets them where they actually are. I also work with adolescents and young athletes navigating the mental and emotional demands of competitive sport — from performance anxiety and burnout to the pressure of trying to reach the next level.
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 have a decade of experience treating adults and adolescents. I take a holistic and trauma-informed approach to mental health care. My therapeutic approach is integrative, person-centered, solution-focused, mindfulness-based, and CBT-based. I am a bilingual Latina clinician with an emphasis on the BIPOC experience.
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.
I am a clinical psychologist working in San Diego, with over 20 years of experience. I earned a BA in Psychology from University of California Santa Barbara, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University (formerly California School of Professional Psychology). I completed a postdoctoral fellowship in substance use disorders at the San Diego Veteran's Affairs Healthcare System. I have expertise in working with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, substance use problems, relationship issues, and assertiveness. I also conduct psychological testing for questions around ADHD, Autism, mood disorders, giftedness, learning problems, and personality issues, among others. I believe psychotherapy is a collaborative process to help clients understand themselves better, achieve goals, and become one's best self.
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.
Theresa Russell - Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services
Therapist
Virtual & in-person • 12 mi away • San Diego, CA
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field (12 in private practice). I work with individuals ages 3 and up, as well as couples. I am trauma informed, a certified clinical supervisor, and EMDR trained (currently not accepting EMDR patients). I hold a plethora of CEUs in mental health disorders and have owned my own practice for several years, offering in person and telehealth services.
CSUB BA Psychology 2002
CSUB Master of Social Work 2004
My name is Charles Wigle (pronounced "Why-gull") and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with over 35 years of experience. I work with individual adults.
I like to work with people who are experiencing a life transition such as in the areas of career or new life path, relationship and family structure such as divorce, empty nest and estrangement, health challenges, and later life issues such as loss, retirement, life review and search for meaning.
About our therapists located within 20 miles of El Cajon, CA



- 98%Anxiety
- 94%Depression
- 90%Stress management
- 87%Relationship issues
- 74%Family issues

- 100%Aetna
- 66%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 63%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 53%Providence Health Plan
- 50%Cigna

- 90%English
- 29%Spanish
- 2%American Sign Language
- 2%Arabic
- 2%French

- 94%In-person or online
- 6%In-person only

- 69%Woman
- 31%Man

- 56%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 18%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 13%Clinical Psychologist
- 10%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 2%Medical Doctor

- 100%Individual therapy
- 32%Family therapy
- 19%Child or adolescent therapy
- 15%Couples therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right therapist for you
Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Therapist in El Cajon
Searching for therapists in El Cajon starts with knowing what kind of support you want. You may be looking for help with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, trauma, or life transitions. As you compare therapists, look for listed specialties, therapy styles, and experience that match your needs. Provider bios can also show whether a therapist uses approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or trauma-informed care.
In a smaller city like El Cajon, nearby in-person options may vary by neighborhood, schedule, and specialty. Virtual therapy can expand your choices while still connecting you with a therapist licensed in California. As you narrow your search, consider appointment times, whether the therapist is accepting new patients, and whether they offer a free phone consultation. Reading profiles before booking can help you understand how each therapist describes their style, session structure, and areas of focus.
Therapy in El Cajon can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs. Headway makes it easier to compare therapists who accept a wide range of insurance plans, check estimated out-of-pocket costs before booking, and choose between in-person and virtual care. You can browse therapists, review bios, and book directly when you’re ready.
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