- Years in practice
- 8
- Credentials
- LPC
- Licensed in
- Arizona
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- Parenting issues
About Mike
Mike Petagna is a licensed professional counselor in Arizona who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting concerns, self-esteem, and life transitions. He writes short, practical plans and aims to make sessions straightforward and useful for busy parents. His direct style focuses on next steps rather than long theory talks.
With eight years of experience, Mike adapts his approach to each person’s situation. He often uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors.
Background and approach
He also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills to teach emotional regulation and on solution-focused strategies to set clear, achievable goals. Sessions are collaborative and goal-oriented. Mike listens to what is working and what is not, then creates simple exercises to try between meetings.
He prioritizes respect, sensitivity, and practical guidance so people can see small changes quickly. Parents who feel overwhelmed by day-to-day demands often find concrete routines and communication techniques helpful. Mike supports parents who want clearer boundaries, steadier responses to stress, or help managing substance use or compulsive behaviors that affect family life.
He explains interventions plainly and checks in about progress each session. Mike tailors pacing and homework to fit work and family schedules. If you want a therapist who focuses on clear tools and steady support, his practice aims to help you build habits that last.
What Mike works with
Everything Mike lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Mike helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Phobias
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
Approaches Mike lists
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Mike often uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT breaks big problems into smaller steps and offers simple exercises to practice between sessions.He also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills to teach emotional regulation and distress-tolerance strategies. DBT skills can help when strong emotions make it hard to respond calmly to parenting challenges or stress.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with you to choose methods that match your goals and daily life. Together you will try strategies, review what helps, and shift the plan if needed.
Online therapy makes regular contact easier for people with busy schedules. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be useful when audio is easier than video, and live chat or text messaging offer quick check-ins or brief coaching between appointments. These formats help clients fit therapy into the day, try new skills in real time, and maintain momentum during transitions.
Questions people ask about Mike
What kinds of concerns does Mike work with?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting issues, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include attachment, communication problems, and fatherhood issues.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His style is practical and collaborative, with short-term goals and exercises to use between sessions. He keeps sessions focused on steps you can try right away.
How much experience does he have?
Mike has eight years of professional experience working with the concerns listed in his profile. He applies that experience to tailor plans for each person.
What credentials and location are listed?
He holds the LPC credential, licensed in Arizona. His professional practice is based in Arizona.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are offered?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options allow flexible ways to check in and practice skills.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and is provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on the subscriber plan.
What is the first step to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability. The questionnaire helps match needs and preferences.
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