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MA Portrait of Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson

Guidance for growth and practical change

LICSW Minnesota

Experience
6 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Languages
English
Continue with Michael

About Michael

Michael Anderson is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota who draws on his own lived experience to support people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, depression, and a wide range of related concerns.

Background and approach

He blends practical strategies with reflective work to help clients address issues such as relationship and intimacy difficulties, grief, self-esteem struggles, eating and sleeping problems, anger, career transitions, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. His background includes long-term, hands-on life experience alongside formal clinical training, which informs a grounded, empathetic approach.

He uses evidence-based techniques including cognitive behavioral approaches and skills from dialectical behavior therapy, alongside emotion-focused and existential perspectives when appropriate. Michael emphasizes mindfulness and trauma-informed thinking, and he brings creative interests like music and photography into his therapeutic worldview without making creativity a requirement for clients.

With six years of clinical practice, he aims to help people break repetitive patterns, build practical coping skills, and explore deeper questions about purpose and growth.

Using evidence-based approaches in online therapy

Michael often draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people identify and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns; this approach tends to focus on practical exercises and skill-building for issues like anxiety, depression, and problematic habits. He also uses dialectical behavior therapy techniques, which emphasize emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness to help clients manage intense feelings and reduce impulsive reactions.

Choosing a therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. He works together with each client to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and the particular problems they are facing, and adjusts the plan as therapy progresses to find the most useful mix of strategies.

Offering video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging provides flexibility so clients can engage in therapy in the format that fits their schedule and comfort level. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions, busy workweeks, or when in-person meetings are not practical, while still allowing for practical skills practice and regular check-ins with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Michael commonly address?
He works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and family issues, grief, intimacy concerns, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, career changes, bipolar disorder, and ADHD among other related struggles.
What therapeutic approach does he use in sessions?
He integrates cognitive behavioral techniques with dialectical behavior therapy skills and emotion-focused ideas, along with existential and Jungian perspectives when helpful, tailoring methods to client needs.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has six years of professional clinical experience and brings personal life experience to his work, combining that background with formal training to guide clients through change.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is a licensed clinical social worker with the credential MN LICSW 22391 and practices in Minnesota.
Does he offer therapy in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are provided in English, and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What formats are available for sessions?
He offers multiple online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to meet different communication preferences.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBody imageCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDissociationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

6+ years

Licensed

Minnesota

Languages

English