Mike Arteaga, AMFT
Anxiety, Identity & Couples Therapy in California
Calm, supportive therapy for individuals and couples navigating anxiety, high-conflict relationships, disconnection, and identity shifts.
Servicios disponibles en inglés y español.
Insurance Accepted: Carelon (Gold Coast Medi-Cal), Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare (Optum)
About Mike
Mike Arteaga provides grounded, relational therapy for adults and couples who feel stuck, disconnected, or unsure of who they are becoming. He works with clients navigating anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, and identity shifts — especially those who feel pressure to “hold it together” while something inside feels off. Mike frequently works with couples experiencing high conflict, recurring arguments, emotional shutdowns, and cycles of blame or withdrawal.
Before becoming a therapist, Mike worked as a coach — someone people trusted to listen, show up, and help them navigate difficult moments. That experience continues to shape his therapeutic style today: steady, honest, and deeply relational. Mike believes therapy should be a place where you don’t have to perform or be fixed — just met with care, curiosity, and respect.
As a first-generation Hispanic therapist, Mike understands how culture, family roles, and responsibility can shape emotional experience. He offers therapy in English and Spanish, creating a space where clients can speak freely and feel understood without having to explain themselves.
Who Mike Works Best With
Mike specializes in working with:
Individuals navigating life transitions, emotional overwhelm, or burnout
Couples struggling with high conflict, recurring arguments, emotional distance, or unmet needs
Couples stuck in pursue/withdraw or blame/defend cycles
Clients exploring how family roles, culture, and expectations impact relationships
He is a strong fit for clients who want therapy that is thoughtful, direct, and supportive — not rushed or surface-level.
Mike’s Approach
Mike’s approach is relational, reflective, and grounded in the present moment. He focuses on what happens in the therapy room, knowing that patterns that show up here often mirror how clients move through the world outside of session.
He draws from:
Narrative therapy, CBT, and solution-focused work for individuals
Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples to reduce conflict, improve communication, and rebuild emotional connection.
Values-based reflection, metaphor, and appropriate humor to support insight and connection
Mike offers honest feedback and thoughtful questions while maintaining a calm, supportive presence. His work goes beyond insight — helping clients build clarity, emotional awareness, and meaningful change.
Expected Outcomes When Working with Mike
Clients working with Mike often experience:
A clearer sense of identity and personal values
Greater ability to navigate conflict without escalation or shutdown
Less reactivity and more thoughtful emotional responses
Stronger communication and connection in relationships
Greater confidence in navigating change and uncertainty
Mike believes growth doesn’t require having everything figured out — just a willingness to get curious and stay engaged.
Services, Availability, & Insurance
Session Format:
Virtual therapy for individuals and couples statewide in California
In-Person Sessions: Mondays in Ventura
260 Maple Court, Suite 216, Ventura, CA 93003
Languages: English and Spanish
Populations Served: Teens, adults, and couples
Insurance Accepted: Carelon (Gold Coast Medi-Cal), Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare (Optum)
Practicing under the supervision of Allison Lieberman, LMFT, PMH-C
If you’re feeling stuck or disconnected — from yourself, your partner, or the direction you thought you’d be heading — Mike would be honored to support you.
A consultation is simply a conversation — no pressure or obligation.