Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Menifee, 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.

I'm a Marriage and Family Therapist based in Los Angeles and love this work. I came to therapy through an unconventional path — nearly a decade in film and photography, work as a youth counselor, and service in the military — all of which deeply shaped how I understand people and their stories.

I earned my master's degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute, where I focused on psychodynamic and depth-oriented approaches. My thesis centered on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, a specialty I've continued developing through advanced trainings I've completed.

I work with individuals, couples, adolescents & families across a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I have a particular love for working with creative professionals, veterans and young adults. I'm LGBTQ+ affirmative and love working with folks from the queer community.

My practice spans traditional talk therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) — including psychedelic integration support for those processing experiences outside of our work together. I see clients in person in Atwater Village in Northeast LA, and virtually throughout California.

I have 10 years of experience working with children, individuals, couples and families to using a strength-based, systems approach. For couple’s I utilize Gottman-based approaches.

I worked over 20 years in several corporate, nonprofit and government settings prior to becoming a licensed therapist. I received my master's degree in Mental Health Counseling at City University of Seattle. During my internship I worked with a county mental health agency serving seriously mentally ill clients for six years. In addition, I have completed extensive training and received certification in both Crisis Counseling and Grief Counseling. I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and a Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC).

Hello and welcome!

As a licensed clinical social worker, I truly believe that mental health is the foundation for growth and healing. It takes courage and strength to take that first step and I want to celebrate you for making it!

I mainly work with adults in individual therapy, drawing from various modalities tailored to each person's unique needs and issues. I'm also certified in EMDR, which can be really helpful for processing difficult experiences.

Some seasons of life ask more of you than you ever expected, and somewhere along the way you stopped feeling like yourself. I work with teens, parents, and adults who are moving through anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, and the heavy stretches that come with big life transitions. I care deeply about supporting LGBTQIA+ and transgender clients, and families who want to understand and show up for one another a little better. So much of this work is simply remembering that you do not have to carry any of it alone.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with a Master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Since graduating in 2021, I have worked with adolescents, adults, and couples in community mental health and outpatient settings.

I became a therapist because I wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I’m passionate about helping others better understand themselves, work through challenges, and become the best versions of themselves. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, grow, and create a life that feels fulfilling and authentic to them.

I have experience supporting clients navigating depression, anxiety, mood and personality disorders, neurodivergence, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and general life stress. I believe therapy should be a space where clients feel safe, supported, and genuinely heard.

My approach is collaborative and individualized, drawing from modalities including CBT, DBT, Narrative Therapy, and EMDR. I work alongside clients to better understand patterns, build coping skills, improve relationships, and create meaningful change aligned with their goals and values.

I use an integrative, holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally aware approach. My style is warm, empathetic, and thoughtful, as well as active, pragmatic, and concrete. I foster a safe environment for deep reflection and for developing and implementing the necessary tools to encourage desired change.

I'm Setareh Sassani, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 151973), providing individual therapy in California via telehealth. I specialize in anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem, communication, and life transitions, helping clients build healthier relationships and live more fulfilling lives.