Michael Reina, LMFT

Michael Reina is a licensed therapist in California with 37 years of experience. He helps people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, or big life changes. He aims to make the first step into therapy feel more manageable and supportive for anyone ready to try.

He focuses on practical, talk-based work that helps people name what they are feeling. Sessions are a place to share thoughts without judgment. Michael encourages openness so clients can start to make small, useful changes in daily life.

Michael uses tools drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other approaches, to help people notice patterns in thinking and behavior. He also draws on client-centered methods to keep sessions grounded in each person’s experience. For trauma-related concerns he incorporates trauma-focused techniques and EMDR when appropriate.

Many people come for help with work stress, panic, grief, guilt, or feeling isolated. He also supports those facing midlife shifts or relationship communication struggles. Sessions include listening, practical strategies, and exercises to try between visits.

Clients in California meet with Michael by phone, video, live chat, or text messaging. He guides people step by step through the process of setting goals and choosing methods that fit their needs. The emphasis is on steady progress and making therapy useful in everyday life.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking and testing small behavior changes to ease symptoms like anxiety, panic, or low mood. Sessions often include practical exercises and homework to practice between meetings.

Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and building a respectful space where a person’s own goals guide the work. This approach helps people feel heard and develop clearer goals before choosing specific tools.

EMDR is used for trauma-related memories and involves guided processing to reduce distress tied to past events. In an online setting it is adapted into guided sessions that focus on processing memories and tracking reactions.

Finding the right approach is a joint process. The therapist will talk through your goals and preferences and recommend methods that fit your situation. That collaborative planning can change over time as progress and needs become clearer.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversation and exercises that benefit from visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when video or bandwidth aren’t available. Live chat and text work well for brief check-ins, step-by-step coaching, or when a written record of ideas is helpful. These options make scheduling easier and let people fit therapy into busy lives.