Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in El Cajon, 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 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 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.

Hi, I'm Brian! I'm a licensed counselor with a background in holistic medicine as well. I've worked with a variety of mental health concerns, with my primary specialty being treating trauma.

If you're here, chances are you've been carrying more than you were ever meant to carry alone. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges or feeling stuck- I can help. I'm a licensed therapist with nearly 20 years of experience in the field helping individuals and couples create lasting, meaningful change.

Together, we’ll identify what brings you to therapy, we'll gently look at where you're feeling stuck and examine the patterns that are no longer serving you. Then, with evidence-based interventions we'll modify these patterns leading to lasting meaningful change.

My formal clinical training was received through the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I gained extensive experience providing evidence-based psychotherapy to military veterans and their partners. I specialize in treating PTSD (combat and sexual trauma), Depression, Anxiety, Panic, Grief and Couples. My clinical training leans heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with emphasis on trauma informed and attachment focused perspectives.

I’m here to make this journey feel gentle, welcoming, and human. I keep things clear and simple so you can focus on what matters, not the overwhelm. My style is warm, encouraging, and a little poetic—because softness helps us breathe. Let’s take this step together, one calm moment at a time.

Life can feel overwhelming when you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, or relationship challenges. You may feel stuck in patterns that are hard to break or unsure how to move forward. Therapy can be a space where you begin to understand what’s been holding you back and start creating meaningful change.

I’m a licensed marriage and family therapist with experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through a wide range of emotional and relational challenges. My work focuses on helping you build emotional awareness, improve communication, and develop healthier patterns so you can feel more balanced and fulfilled in your life. Clients should expect to feel heard and supported throughout our time together. I want my clients to feel safe and empowered during their time with me, and I feel privileged to help my clients achieve their goals and improve their lives.

Hi, I’m Amaris, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who believes healing happens best in a space where you feel safe, understood, and never judged.

I work with children, teens, adults, and older adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, emotional overwhelm, grief, and major life transitions. Whether your child is having big feelings they don’t know how to manage, you’re feeling stuck in patterns that don’t serve you, or your family is walking through the heartbreak of dementia or loss, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

My style is supportive, down-to-earth, and collaborative. Therapy with me isn’t about “fixing” you, it’s about helping you understand yourself, build practical tools, and feel more confident handling life’s challenges. I blend evidence-based approaches with compassion, creativity, and sometimes even humor, because growth doesn’t have to feel heavy all the time.

Parents appreciate that I help kids build emotional regulation skills in ways that make sense to them, and I make sure caregivers feel supported too. Adults often come to me when anxiety, emotional ups and downs, or grief feel overwhelming. I also have a special place in my heart for working with older adults and families facing Alzheimer’s, dementia, and end-of-life changes.

At the core of my work is this belief:

You are not broken, you’re human, and you’re capable of growth.

If you’re ready for a space where you can show up exactly as you are, we’ll work at your pace, together.

Making the decision to start therapy is a profound investment of your time, energy, and vulnerability. If you are looking for a blank-slate clinician who simply nods and listens, we might not be the best fit. I offer a highly engaged, malleable, and unflinching partnership.

My approach is rooted in the belief that while the work of untangling our lives is deeply structural, the room itself doesn't always have to feel heavy. I bring a grounded warmth to my practice—which means knowing how to sit quietly in the gravity of a difficult truth, but also knowing when to break the tension, exhale, and find the light in the sheer complexity of being human. I won’t just sit in silence while you do all the heavy lifting; I am an active collaborator who adapts to exactly where you are.