Michael Anderson, LICSW

Michael Anderson brings a unique blend of lived experience and formal training to his work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. After 25 years working in blue collar and heavy industry as a millwright, he navigated his own challenges with depression, anxiety, addiction, and difficult relationships, a process that informs his empathetic, nonjudgmental approach to therapy. He earned graduate-level training in clinical social work and holds the LICSW credential, reflecting advanced preparation to provide therapeutic care and support.

Michael combines practical tools with creative curiosity, drawing on traditions such as dialectical behavior therapy with an emphasis on mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral work that addresses recurring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. His toolbox also includes anger management strategies, trauma-informed perspectives that reframe questions from what is wrong to what has happened, and somatic-focused techniques that attend to the body’s role in healing. Outside of clinical work he continues to explore creative expression as a professional singer and photographer, an interest he links to helping others realize and share their gifts.

Michael’s practice centers on guiding people through impasses, resistance to change, and moments of dissatisfaction about life direction. He works collaboratively with clients to build stronger foundations for personal growth, supporting goals related to stress, anxiety, addiction, relationships, self-esteem, and life transitions while honoring each person’s unique path.

Approaches for Online Growth and Healing

Michael Anderson draws on evidence-based methods to support change in online sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful patterns of thought and behavior; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and managing recurring cycles that interfere with daily life. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, emphasizes emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness skills to help people manage intense emotions and improve relationships. Emotionally-Focused Therapy, EFT, centers on understanding and reshaping emotional responses in close relationships, which can be helpful for couples and individuals working on attachment and intimacy issues.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Michael Anderson works with each client to explore goals, preferences, and needs, adapting methods over time so the treatment aligns with what the person wants to achieve and how they prefer to work.

Online therapy with Michael uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These options make scheduling easier around work and family commitments, let clients engage from familiar environments, and allow therapists and clients to experiment with different formats to find what feels most effective.