LGBT therapists in Encinitas, CA

I am passionate about the power of the therapeutic process and helping individuals and families find hope and healing. Together, we will set goals and work towards achieving them - all at a pace that works best for you.

I specialize in working with adults, adolescents and families living with depression, anxiety, trauma, and challenges in relationships. I have significant experience working in higher levels of care settings and with folks navigating suicidal ideation and self-harm.

A lot of young men grow up getting the message that they're supposed to have it handled — keep it together, don't make it a big deal, figure it out on your own. So when anxiety, anger, low motivation, or just feeling lost starts piling up, reaching out for help can feel like the last thing they'd want to do. If that's you, or if you're a parent watching your son struggle and shut down, I get it — and I can help.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I work primarily with teenage boys and young men. I've spent years working with guys in some of the hardest settings there are — residential treatment, high-acuity programs, and intensive work helping young men take an honest look at their choices, their patterns, and who they want to become. That experience taught me how to actually connect with someone who doesn't necessarily want to be in therapy, and how to make this feel less like a lecture and more like a real conversation.

My style is warm but direct, and I don't think therapy has to be heavy or stiff to work. I'll meet you exactly where you are — no judgment, no pressure to have it figured out — and we'll get into the real stuff at a pace that feels right. I also work with adults navigating anxiety, life transitions, and figuring out who they are, bringing that same grounded, real presence to the work.

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! There is so much I want to share with you!

I acknowledge that finding a therapist can sometimes feel overwhelming because you want to find a good fit, someone who “gets” you, so I thank you for being here.

I identify as a Latinx, cis gender woman, feminist, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ ally, and spiritual. I am the granddaughter of immigrants from Mexico and the daughter of working class parents. Before coming to Marriage and Family Therapy, I earned a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies, and wrote my thesis on the jurisprudence of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I am aware of the dominant societal structures, narratives, expectations and pressures that can impact your story and how you live it. I look forward to being alongside you as you write a preferred story – one that is fully authored by you.

Prior to focusing on Marriage and Family Therapy, I worked for close to nineteen years in higher education leadership, advising and mentoring college students at a public university in Southern California. The relationships I fostered with students and the stories they shared with me inspired me to move into Marriage and Family Therapy. Like my work with the students, my therapy work is filled with compassion, empathy and understanding. And while there may sometimes be difficult conversations and tears in our work, I also invite in laughter, lightness and joy.

I am currently scheduling online and in-person appointments. I am available Mondays- Thursdays, and Saturdays.