Greg Arata

Greg Arata, LMFT is a California-licensed psychotherapist and the founder of Second Arrow Psychotherapy, providing online therapy for men in Los Angeles and throughout California. He specializes in working with high-functioning men who appear capable on the outside but internally struggle with burnout, anger, pressure, emotional disconnection, loneliness, and the weight of constantly holding everything together.

Greg’s approach is direct, grounded, and collaborative. Many men come to therapy to be more productive, and feelings get in the way of that. Greg’s work is not about “fixing the car” and sending men back onto the road in tip-top shape for even more optimal performance. Instead, he helps clients slow down enough to look underneath hood — reflecting back and often confronting what the hardworking, perfectionistic, always-capable version of themselves may actually be trying to protect them from feeling.

He is primarily an strength-based therapist and his therapeutic style integrates somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), psychodynamic therapy and The Flash Technique, derived from EMDR. Greg pays close attention not only to what clients think, but also to what happens in the body — helping men sense into wellbeing while recognizing patterns of tension, numbness, pressure, withdrawal, and emotional flooding.

Clients often describe Greg as steady, honest, warm, and appropriately challenging. He believes meaningful therapy involves both insight and action: learning how to speak more directly, tolerate discomfort, stop abandoning yourself in relationships, and build a life that feels more connected rather than simply productive.

Greg earned his Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute and has advanced training in trauma-informed and experiential approaches including IFS and TRM.