Mike Petagna, LPC

Mike Petagna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Arizona who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, parenting worries, and self-esteem struggles. He talks plainly and aims to make the first steps toward change feel doable and less overwhelming.

He uses straightforward conversation to understand what matters most to each person. Sessions are shaped around practical goals and small, manageable steps. Mike emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion in every interaction.

With eight years of experience, he draws on methods that help people change unhelpful patterns and build skills for everyday life. That experience includes work with substance use concerns, eating and food-related issues, and problems tied to family of origin and fatherhood.

Mike also addresses attachment and abandonment concerns, communication and control issues, codependency, and adjustment during life transitions. He supports people facing aging and geriatric issues, autism and Asperger Syndrome related challenges, and those coping with domestic violence aftereffects.

In sessions he will tailor conversation and a plan to fit each person’s specific needs. He aims to help clients leave sessions with clear next steps. The focus is on practical tools, steady progress, and empowering clients to handle life more confidently.

How Mike Uses Practical Approaches Online

Mike commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety, manage stress, and address addictions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and coping skills to handle intense feelings and improve communication.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide which methods to prioritize and adjust strategies as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs. Video calls are useful for more in-depth work and visual connection. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text messaging let people check in between sessions or use shorter, frequent exchanges to practice skills and stay on track.