Licensed to practice in California and accepts 71 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Spirituality, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.
Micah Gargala
(he/him)
Greetings! My name is Micah and it is a privilege to join you on the next leg of your journey. I take a non-judgmental and honest stance, blend it with a bit of education, and invite you to tell me what your top priorities for therapy are. I strive to help people cope with change, heal old (or new!) wounds, manage life stress effectively, and explore new ways of being human. You can count on me to be respectful of both your individuality and the circumstances that surround you.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session will be a little different than the rest of them, mostly meaning that I will probably talk a bit more than usual! In this session I make sure to review confidentiality and my legal mandated reporting requirements, and also talk about some fairly boring yet practical policies, such as what to do if you need to reschedule an appointment, etc. I'll ask you about any previous experiences you have had in therapy (if applicable), and then we'll start exploring why you are interested in therapy at this time, and what your goals are for treatment. We will also spend some time simply getting to know one another, and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have at the outset of our time together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I bring a calm and even-keeled presence to therapy sessions. Since I have worked with a diverse and large number of individuals, it is likely that the concerns you bring to therapy are ones that I have helped others with in the past. With that said, I am also very intentional about treating each client as an individual and honoring the unique experiences that have brought you to this point. I strike a healthy balance between listening and giving clinically sound recommendations.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I always tell people that there is no issue too big or too small to discuss in therapy! I am happy to work with anyone that is willing to give therapy a try, and I have experience working with a very diverse range of concerns. I am particularly passionate about working with people that have experienced religious or spiritual trauma, and those that are current or former members of high demand groups.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Spirituality
Trauma and PTSD
Other specialties
Bipolar Disorder
Coping Skills
Depression
Grief
Phobias
Self-Harming
Serious Mental Illness
Sexual Abuse
Substance Misuse
Suicidal Ideation
I identify as
Man
White
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Blue Cross
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medi-Cal
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
Sutter Health Plan
IHSS Healthy Workers
Cash - $40 per session
Centivo
Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
GTEB
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Gold Coast Health Plan Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Health Net (Medi-Cal)
Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)
CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)
Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan – Medi-Cal
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP)
San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-Cal
Scripps Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
This treatment method can be utilized to help us connect with our values and mindfully create space between ourselves and distressing thoughts. In this approach we redefine our relationship with problems that have bogged us down, taking action on what we can control and learning to stop struggling with what we cannot.
Trauma Informed Care
I have extensive experience working with individuals that have experienced severe trauma. My approach is to tell people that I am absolutely willing to discuss past traumas if it feels helpful to them, but I also make clear that if they don't feel comfortable, safe, or ready to talk about past events we can actually still do some really great and useful trauma work that is completely focused on the present moment. I am always sure to let clients discuss trauma on their own terms and at their own pace.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use elements of cognitive behavioral therapy in session to conceptualize and educate about how our thoughts, feelings, and actions are closely related and influenced by one another. Examining our assumptions and thought processes, as well as a focus on incorporating structure and beneficial activities into our days, are key in this approach.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I have studied, worked, and lived in a variety of different cultural contexts. I am constantly striving to approach my work through a culturally sensitive lens, and I recognize that an individual's cultural background can influence how they perceive the world, and how the world perceives them. I confront my own biases honestly and address them by seeking clinical support as needed.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate many elements of DBT into my work, particularly when discussing coping strategies that help us successfully manage intense emotions. I am a strong believer in matching the intensity of the coping skill with the intensity of the emotion, and I help clients use multiple DBT informed strategies to tolerate and navigate the entire emotional spectrum. Various mindfulness techniques are also weaved into this approach.
3 ratings with written reviews
February 19, 2026
I enjoyed my sessions with Micah. He listens, sympathizes, and encourages. He offered different strategies I could use when I’m dealing with anxiety or depression. He’s a supportive therapist, and I would recommend him to anyone.
Verified client, age 45-54
October 24, 2025
I really like him! He's helpful and practical while still being kind and empathetic. He really makes me think about new things.
Verified client, age 25-34
May 7, 2025
Micah is warm, open to listening to heartfelt stories, and very personable. He has that easygoing charm that helps you break down your defenses so you can talk about what troubles you. I have been working with Micah for the better part of six months to deal with traumatic issues from childhood that have been resurfacing over the past few years. I am hopeful and confident that I will get to a the space I need to be to continue living a happy and fulfilling life.