Mike Petagna, LPC

Mike Petagna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arizona with eight years of clinical experience. He works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting challenges, low self-esteem, and the ups and downs of major life changes. He aims to create a respectful, compassionate space where clients can talk honestly about what’s hard for them.

Mike focuses on practical steps that people can try between sessions. He tailors conversations and plans to each person’s situation instead of using a one-size-fits-all method. Sessions often include goal-setting, skill practice, and checking what is or isn’t helping in day-to-day life.

His background includes several evidence-informed approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Those methods guide how he helps with anxiety, coping skills, and patterns that contribute to addiction or relationship stress. He brings eight years of hands-on experience to those frameworks.

People seeking support for aging and geriatric issues will find that he lists those concerns among his focus areas, alongside attachment and family-of-origin topics. He also works with challenges related to fatherhood, communication problems, and recovery from domestic violence and substance use.

Mike emphasizes collaboration and clear steps. He helps clients set achievable goals, practice new skills, and notice gradual changes. The aim is to build confidence and practical coping tools for everyday life.

How Mike Uses Structured Approaches in Online Care

Mike draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is often used for anxiety, low mood, and habits that get in the way of daily life, and it includes practical exercises you can try between meetings.

He also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques to teach emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. DBT skills can help when emotions feel overwhelming or when relationships are strained.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. Plans are adjusted as progress is tracked and new challenges appear.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the available session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week and to continue care after major life changes. It can allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, make it simpler to join from different locations, and reduce travel time so sessions are easier to keep.