PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

MP Portrait of Mike Petagna
Online therapist

Mike Petagna

Practical support for family and parenting concerns

Book with Mike
Credentials
LPC
Experience
8 years
Licensed in
Arizona
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Mike

Mike Petagna is a licensed professional counselor in Arizona who focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. He aims to make conversations clear and practical, so parents can quickly find ways to reduce daily pressure. Mike speaks plainly and meets families where they are in the moment.

He uses straightforward tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people change unhelpful thinking and behavior. He also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotional regulation and Solution-Focused Therapy to identify steps that work now.

Background and approach

Mike adapts methods to fit each person's situation rather than applying a single formula. With eight years of experience, he helps clients address a wide range of concerns. These include communication problems, family of origin issues, fatherhood concerns, codependency, and substance-related problems.

He also supports people facing attachment difficulties, aging and geriatric matters, and challenges related to autism and Asperger Syndrome. Sessions are offered in English and delivered online in several formats. Mike approaches conversations with respect, sensitivity, and compassion.

He works to build practical plans and skills that can be used between sessions. Mike encourages people to take small steps toward clearer boundaries, better routines, and improved coping. He tailors each plan to the client's needs and priorities.

The aim is to help clients feel more capable managing everyday stresses and meaningful life changes.

Online approaches that teach skills and solve problems

Mike draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change thinking and behavior patterns that increase stress or anxiety; it focuses on practical steps people can take right away. He also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication when feelings feel overwhelming. Solution-Focused Therapy helps identify what is working already and build short-term, achievable plans to move forward.

Choosing which approach to use is a shared process. Mike works with each person to decide which tools fit their goals and preferences. He adjusts techniques over time based on what is helpful and what the client wants to prioritize.

Online services include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to allow flexible scheduling and easy follow-up between meetings. These options make it possible to work around school, work, and parenting duties while practicing new skills. The aim is to make therapy easier to attend and to support steady progress toward the client’s goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Mike help with?
He focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting, self-esteem, and coping with life changes, and also addresses related issues such as communication problems, family of origin concerns, and fatherhood issues.
What is his general therapy style?
Sessions are practical and goal-oriented, using clear strategies from established therapies to teach skills and set achievable steps toward change.
How much experience does he have?
He has eight years of professional work experience as a licensed counselor.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor - licensed in Arizona with license number AZ LPC LPC-19678.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are used?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication needs.
How are costs and starting arranged?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; to begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
8 years
Licensed
Arizona
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Mike

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point
Book with Mike