Find a therapist in San Diego, CA — covered by insurance


Top therapists in San Diego, CA accepting new patients
Seeking therapy in San Diego? Access 8,417 providers across neighborhoods including Mission Hills, Ocean Beach, and Hillcrest. Headway supports talk therapy and medication management with sessions available as soon as next day, often covered by insurance.
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.
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!
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.
Theresa Russell - Porta Verum Psychotherapy Services
Therapist
Virtual & in-person • 2.3 mi away • San Diego, CA
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 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 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.
About our therapists located within 20 miles of San Diego, CA



- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 93%Stress management
- 88%Relationship issues
- 70%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 71%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 64%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 54%Cigna
- 52%Blue Shield of California

- 93%English
- 23%Spanish
- 4%French
- 2%Arabic
- 2%Armenian

- 95%In-person or online
- 5%In-person only

- 59%Woman
- 41%Man

- 57%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 18%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 13%Clinical Psychologist
- 9%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 4%Nurse Practitioner

- 100%Individual therapy
- 39%Family therapy
- 23%Couples therapy
- 18%Child or adolescent 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 San Diego
Searching for therapists in San Diego starts with knowing what kind of support fits your needs. A San Diego therapist may help with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, or life transitions. As you compare options, look for a therapist whose listed specialties and approach match what you want to address. Some profiles mention methods like cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or acceptance and commitment therapy, while others focus on areas like couples counseling in San Diego, identity-affirming care, or support for specific life stages.
San Diego has many therapists across neighborhoods like Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park, La Jolla, and Ocean Beach, which can make the search broad rather than simple. Consider whether you prefer an office near home, work, or school, or whether virtual sessions fit your schedule better. You can also narrow your search by appointment availability, whether a therapist is accepting new clients, and whether they offer a free phone consultation. Reading therapist profiles before booking can help you understand their communication style, session structure, and experience with concerns that matter to you.
Therapy in San Diego can be a significant expense without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before care begins. Headway helps you search for therapists in San Diego, CA, compare profiles, see estimated out-of-pocket costs, and book directly when you are ready. Nationally, Headway partners with 70+ insurance plans, and you can enter your plan details to confirm coverage for your location and specific benefits.
If you're experiencing or worried about violence, threats, or coercion in your relationship, couples therapy isn't usually the right starting point — individual support is safer. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788\) can help you think through next steps.
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