LGBT therapists in La Mesa, CA

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 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 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.

I'm a dedicated therapist who strives to offer clients quality care that’s centered around my professional competence, firm adherence to legal and ethical standards, and continual expansion in my knowledge of the practice. My passion for learning about the human psyche and behavior is a large part of why I chose to work in this profession.

I earned my master’s degree in social work from California State University of Long Beach. I’ve received training and supervision in therapeutic interventions including cognitive behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamic and dialectical behavior therapy techniques. I have experience in multiple settings including partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and non-profit organizations. I’ve worked with a range of populations including unhoused individuals, adults struggling with substance abuse, and clients with a range of mental health related issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Hi! I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving clients in California. I specialize in helping people struggling with anxiety and depression, trauma, life transitions, and grief. I primarily use experiential therapy modalities (Internal Family Systems, AEDP, Coherence Therapy, etc.) that focus on deeper work to address the root causes of clients' struggles. I help people gain more clarity and confidence and feel more peaceful and balanced inside.