Addiction therapists & psychiatrists 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.

Hello, and congratulations on exploring options for therapy and healing.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 12 years of experience, specializing in individual and couple's therapy for adults.

I support clients facing a variety of challenges, including mental health symptoms, new medical diagnoses, substance use, care-giving demands, financial stress, life transitions, and self-doubt. My goal is to help you find balance and resilience during these times.

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.

Hi, most of my adult life has been spent working with others in the area of mental wellness. It is a passion to help others grow, learn, heal and self actualize. I am a wife, stepmother, mother and owner of 3 fur babies. Horseback riding, surfing, travel and meeting new people energize me as does a day of peace and solitude in nature.

Sometimes a thoughtful conversation with the right person can make all the difference. As an experienced therapist, husband, and father, I bring both professional training and real-life wisdom to help people navigate life’s challenges. Over many years of both life and clinical work, I’ve had the privilege of helping people move through difficult seasons, gain clarity, and reconnect with their strengths. Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or you’re returning after time away, it’s normal to feel uncertain. Our first conversation is simply a starting point. I often work with people facing life transitions, relationship challenges, or feeling stuck, seeking clarity and a practical path forward. Together, we’ll slow things down, understand what’s happening, and identify steps that help move you forward. If you are going through a difficult season, you don't have to navigate it alone.

I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. My undergraduate B.A and graduate M.A. training took place at Wheaton College. Following graduate school in the midwest, I moved to the west coast, where I attended the California School of Professional Psychology. Here, I earned a M.A in applied psychology and Psy. D. in clinical psychology with a dual emphasis in forensics and family therapy. My research consisted of working with high risk sexual offenders. Following my time on the west coast, I worked as a Staff Psychologist and Assistant Professor at a local university. In my free time, I train in combat arts and play guitar (try at least ;-).