Michael Anderson, LICSW
LICSW guiding practical growth and recovery
- Mindfulness and CBT focus
- Trauma-informed care
- Strengths and creativity
About Michael Anderson
Michael Anderson brings a blend of hands-on life experience and formal clinical training to his work as a therapist. After spending twenty-five years in blue-collar heavy industry as a millwright, he moved through his own process of confronting depression, anxiety, addiction, relationship breakdowns, and a sense of unrealized potential. That personal journey informed his decision to pursue clinical social work and shaped the practical, grounded style he uses with others.
He is a Masters-level Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - LICSW - which denotes advanced clinical training in social work and the ability to provide independent clinical care. Michael has six years of experience practicing as a therapist and pairs that clinical background with a longtime interest in creative expression as a professional singer and photographer. This combination of lived experience and professional skills supports a strengths-based, growth-oriented approach to therapy.
Michael’s work is informed by a range of tools and perspectives including dialectical behavior therapy with an emphasis on mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral methods that address recurring patterns of thought and behavior, trauma-informed and somatic-focused approaches, and targeted anger management. He works with issues such as stress and anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief and intimacy-related struggles, eating and sleeping difficulties, self-esteem and identity questions, career and life transitions, ADHD, bipolar challenges, and compassion fatigue. He also attends to attachment and abandonment themes, body image and codependency, dissociation, substance-related problems, and fatherhood and first responder issues.
Michael believes in guiding people toward ongoing self-discovery and helping them move past the impasses that block personal growth. He emphasizes practical skills, mindfulness, and creative exploration to help individuals build a firmer foundation for change and pursue a more meaningful sense of purpose and potential.
He is a Masters-level Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - LICSW - which denotes advanced clinical training in social work and the ability to provide independent clinical care. Michael has six years of experience practicing as a therapist and pairs that clinical background with a longtime interest in creative expression as a professional singer and photographer. This combination of lived experience and professional skills supports a strengths-based, growth-oriented approach to therapy.
Michael’s work is informed by a range of tools and perspectives including dialectical behavior therapy with an emphasis on mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral methods that address recurring patterns of thought and behavior, trauma-informed and somatic-focused approaches, and targeted anger management. He works with issues such as stress and anxiety, addiction, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief and intimacy-related struggles, eating and sleeping difficulties, self-esteem and identity questions, career and life transitions, ADHD, bipolar challenges, and compassion fatigue. He also attends to attachment and abandonment themes, body image and codependency, dissociation, substance-related problems, and fatherhood and first responder issues.
Michael believes in guiding people toward ongoing self-discovery and helping them move past the impasses that block personal growth. He emphasizes practical skills, mindfulness, and creative exploration to help individuals build a firmer foundation for change and pursue a more meaningful sense of purpose and potential.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
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 Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Michael Anderson have?
Michael Anderson has six years of experience as a practicing therapist.
Is Michael Anderson a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the credential LICSW, which stands for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. His license is listed as MN LICSW 22391.
In which languages does Michael Anderson provide therapy?
Michael Anderson provides therapy in English.
Where is Michael Anderson located?
Michael Anderson is located in Minnesota.
How can I work with Michael Anderson as my therapist?
You can work with Michael Anderson through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Michael Anderson work with international clients?
Michael Anderson does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Michael Anderson cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches that translate well to online therapy
Michael Anderson commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy in his work. Cognitive behavioral therapy - CBT - helps clients identify and shift recurring patterns of thoughts and behaviors that contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, and difficulties in relationships. Dialectical behavior therapy - DBT - emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills to manage intense emotions and improve interpersonal effectiveness. He also draws on emotionally-focused therapy - EFT - when addressing relationship and attachment issues, helping partners or individuals understand emotional responses and reshape interactions to build stronger connections.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael works with each person to explore goals, preferences, and life circumstances and adjusts methods over time so therapy stays responsive and practical. The aim is to find tools that fit the individual rather than force a single model.
Online therapy offers flexibility for scheduling and continuity of care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to engage in consistent work on skills, access support between sessions, and integrate therapeutic practices into daily life while accommodating busy or changing schedules.