Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Panorama City, 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 know how heavy life can feel when you’re carrying pain, uncertainty, or self-doubt. But I believe, as a wise old wizard once said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of places, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” My role is to help you find that light again. I work with Gen Z and Millennial adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more. Through integrative, culturally responsive care, I combine evidence-based psychiatry with holistic strategies to help you feel heard, supported, and empowered to create a life that aligns with your true self.

I have spent over 40 years teaching, training, and developing mental health programs for individuals from 4 to 84 find hope once again. I am a life-long learner and add at least one certificate a year to ensure clients are given multiple approaches to what they encounter. I am very honest and direct, but also understand the need for pause and reflection. You know the level of your pain and suffering. My job is to meet you where you are and lead you to the place you want to go.

I have 15+ years of experience working with individuals and couples who have experienced trauma, both directly and indirectly. My specialty is those going through a loss, suffered emotional trauma, or are victims of violence. Unaddressed individual trauma can often lead to anxiety, depression and difficulties in developing / maintaining loving relationships. Couples can struggle with unhealthy patterns of communication and need alternative tools to better understand each other. With a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach I support clients facing issues such as anxiety, grief, life changes and relationship challenges.

People come to therapy for different reasons. Sometimes something clearly isn't working. Other times, life may look okay on the surface, but you feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure about what you want next. I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and major life changes, as well as those wanting to better understand themselves and the patterns that keep showing up in their lives.

My approach is warm, grounded, and curious. I’m interested in understanding what’s happening beneath the surface, including your thoughts and emotions, the patterns you've developed over time, and how your experiences show up in your body. Therapy can be a place to make sense of those experiences while finding ways to move forward that feel meaningful and true to you.

As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, I offer therapy in both English and Spanish. I strive to create a space where you can speak openly, feel understood, and explore your experiences in the context of your relationships, culture, identity, and the life you’ve lived.

Clients often describe me as warm, approachable, and easy to talk to. I aim to create a supportive and engaging space where you feel safe to be emotionally open, while also bringing a sense of ease.

At the core of my style is curiosity. I’m drawn to the “why” - why we feel, think, and respond to life the way we do. I take a holistic and at times existential approach, exploring not just immediate challenges, but the deeper patterns, life transitions, and questions of meaning that shape your experience.

I draw from a wide range of personal and professional experiences, including working directly with and overseeing a large and diverse group of clients. This allows me to adapt different techniques and perspectives to support growth, insight, and lasting change. Throughout the process, I remain thoughtful, engaged, and focused on what will be most helpful for you.

I believe people carry far more strength, clarity, and resilience than they often realize. My role is to help you understand the emotional patterns and internal narratives that shape your experience, so you can move through life with greater freedom and self‐trust. I’m engaged, attuned, and honest in the room — offering reflection, insight, and steady collaboration as we explore what’s happening beneath the surface. We work at a pace that feels grounded for you, creating space for real change to germinate.

Great to meet you! I'm Ryan Carr, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who works with adolescents and adults facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma, and psychotic disorders. My background includes years of psychiatric nursing in both inpatient and outpatient settings, caring for individuals with a wide range of mental health needs. I believe the best treatment starts with feeling heard, respected, and involved in your care. Together, we'll create a personalized plan focused on helping you feel better and achieve your goals.