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 8,917 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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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
About our therapists located within 20 miles of San Diego, CA



- 98%Anxiety
- 95%Depression
- 92%Stress management
- 88%Relationship issues
- 78%Family issues

- 100%Aetna
- 65%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 62%Anthem Blue Cross California
- 52%Providence Health Plan
- 47%Cigna

- 92%English
- 28%Spanish
- 2%French
- 2%German
- 2%Hindi

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

- 68%Woman
- 32%Man

- 58%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 20%Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- 12%Clinical Psychologist
- 8%Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- 2%Nurse Practitioner

- 100%Individual therapy
- 32%Family therapy
- 20%Child or adolescent therapy
- 17%Couples 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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