Michael Anderson, LICSW
Practical, story-focused therapy for life changes
Details
| Name | Michael Anderson |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LICSW |
| Based in | Minnesota |
| Licensed in | Minnesota |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 6 |
About Michael
Michael Anderson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with six years of clinical practice. He helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, and struggles with self-esteem or life changes. He uses clear, down-to-earth language and a practical style in sessions.
Michael draws on a mix of therapy approaches including Narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and skills from dialectical behavior therapy. He focuses on helping people see patterns in their life stories, test new ways of thinking, and build skills for managing intense feelings.
Background and approach
Sessions tend to be collaborative and goal-oriented while leaving space to explore meaning and values. His background includes practical life experience outside of therapy and a personal journey through depression, anxiety, and addiction. That history shapes a straightforward, empathetic stance in the room.
Michael also brings interests in creativity and performance into his work as useful outlets and sources of resilience. In session he mixes talk, skill practice, mindfulness, and attention to how strong emotions show up in the body. He helps people work through avoidance, self-criticism, and patterns that repeat across relationships.
For people dealing with trauma he emphasizes understanding what happened and building safety and coping skills. Michael practices in Minnesota and offers therapy for a wide range of concerns including career strain, compassion fatigue, ADHD, eating and sleeping problems, anger, and addiction. Sessions are offered in English and are available through multiple online formats.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse among the things Michael works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Depression
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Jungian Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Somatic Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Michael among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Michael directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Michael directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and Skills-Based Work Translate Online
Michael uses Narrative therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves and their problems, which can open new choices and reduce shame. He pairs that with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, and with Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance. These approaches help with anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma reactions, and relationship difficulties.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they choose strategies and adjust the plan as progress is made so sessions stay focused and relevant to the person's life.
Online sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match practical needs. Video is useful for deeper work and reading nonverbal cues. Phone sessions can fit a break at work or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging are helpful for shorter check-ins, skill coaching, or when typing feels easier than speaking. These options aim to make therapy more flexible and easier to use alongside daily life.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does Michael help with?
He supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues, self-esteem, ADHD, and many related concerns.
What is Michael's therapeutic approach and style?
He blends Narrative therapy with CBT and DBT-informed skills. The work is practical, collaborative, and focuses on changing patterns and strengthening coping skills.
How much clinical experience does he have?
Michael has six years of experience as a clinician and brings personal life experience that informs his straightforward, empathetic approach.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - MN LICSW - and practices in Minnesota.
Which languages and international clients are supported?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
He provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Michael are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Michael where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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