Book a therapist or psychiatrist in La Jolla, CA covered by United Healthcare

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.I specialize in working with adolescents and adults who are struggling with anxiety disorders, OCD, phobias, and trauma.

You can visit my website for more information: https://www.thiwlodarskilmft.com

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.

Hello, and welcome! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in San Diego, CA. I specialize in helping individuals overcome the lasting effects of childhood experiences, as well as present traumas they may be facing. I have worked with adults, children and families in a variety of settings. I have provided space for people during the toughest of life transitions while teaching them tools to cope with the overwhelming emotions of grief and trauma. I’d like to be there for you too!

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

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.

I’m passionate about helping those seeking change in their lives. My education in multi-cultural counseling and social justice means that I approach each individual with empathy and awareness when it comes to navigating racial and gender identities, and life experiences. I understand we each have our own story and challenges, making the recovery and healing process unique for each of us. I help clients to identify and achieve small-scale, doable goals which build a foundation for lasting change.

You feel weighted down, blocked, stuck, and numb with all the problems in life. Let's face it - a lot of times you're feeling exhausted, consumed by emotions & just want to get off the rollercoaster of worry, panic, and anxiety. At night, when you're trying to sleep, overthinking sets in, making it difficult to sleep; and when you do sleep, you're still tired, in a bad mood, or dread the day. You just get up, hold it all in, pretend it's okay. But it's not.

If you do share how you're feeling with family and friends, you feel like a burden, that nobody understands or is judging you. So often, you once again put on a smile, push how you're feeling down, tell yourself it's okay, but doesn't last long. The rollercoaster comes around again, emotions twisting and turning every which way, up and over, all around, and back into the same cycles of fear, worry, anxiety, and even frustration that you can't get off this ride so that you can just feel better with more peace and happiness.

I’m glad you found me. I'm Tammy Brooks LMFT. I'm here to help adults find joy again, to get off that rollercoaster of emotions once and for all. I'm here to not only help you feel better but help you make a long lasting change so that you regain control, feel empowered, & free again.

I know that right now, things might feel heavy or uncertain. But I also know that with the right support, life will and can feel lighter, not to mention more hopeful and far more manageable. I am available for a free 15 minute consult call to learn more and start creating a life that feels meaningful and more manageable.

For nearly 13 years, I worked as a psychotherapist at a mens' long term substance abuse treatment program, The Fellowship Center, Inc. in Escondido California. I obtained several certifications as a drug and alcohol counselor, but I relied primarily on my training as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist to perform individual psychotherapy for residents in the treatment program.

I also have obtained training in Eye Movement Desentitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) which I believe provides a robust treatment intervention for trauma. I now have 10 years experience using EMDR both in person and by telehealth with more than one hundred fifty clients.

I also have a strong interest in mindfulness and somatic interventions which I believe are essential in the integration of the treatment of both substance abuse and trauma.

In addition to trauma and substance abuse, I most frequently work with clients suffering from anxiety, depression, or complex grief.

Finally, I enjoy working with clients who are struggling in the midst of major life transitions.

Through the course of my career I have primarily worked with individuals who are experiencing Depression and Anxiety, adjusting to life changes and transitions, having difficulty managing stress, and challenges with interpersonal relationships. I support healthy communication in relationships and explore parenting skills to encourage healthy family dynamics. I also work with the Deaf individuals and understand the cultural needs.

Marsi specializes in working with children, teens, young adults, and women who are struggling with anxiety, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the lingering effects of difficult life experiences. She is passionate about helping clients understand not only what they're experiencing, but why—because insight creates the foundation for lasting healing.

Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the latest research in neuroscience and trauma treatment. Marsi integrates evidence-based therapies including EMDR, attachment-based therapy, Polyvagal Theory, somatic interventions, cognitive and behavioral approaches, and play therapy to help clients regulate their nervous systems, process painful experiences, strengthen relationships, and develop greater resilience.

Whether someone is healing from childhood wounds or abuse, breaking generational patterns, navigating a major life transition, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life, Marsi believes lasting change is possible. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside each client as they rediscover hope, deepen self-understanding, and create meaningful, lasting change.

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 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.