Michael Anderson

Mikey is a Queer artist and art therapist from the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago, dedicated to creating affirming, collaborative spaces for healing. They hold a BFA in Fine Art and an MA in Art Therapy and Counseling from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Their approach to therapy is person-centered, trauma-informed, and rooted in social justice. They specialize in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals across the lifespan, and their practice is guided by each client’s lead while upholding the principles of confidentiality, harm reduction, intersectionality, and empowerment. Approach They use art therapy to help client's express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to articulate with words. Their sessions are collaborative and client-led, centering each person’s unique story, identity, and pace. Whether working through trauma, navigating life transitions, or exploring identity, they strive to provide a space of radical acceptance where clients feel seen, heard, and supported. Drawing from Relational-Cultural Theory to foster connection and belonging, they offer a range of creative and talk-based interventions tailored to individual needs. Their practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti-oppressive, and committed to collective healing. Whether in one-on-one sessions or through community-based projects, they work to challenge systems of harm and uplift voices that have historically been marginalized. Who They Work With They work with individuals across the lifespan. Their clients include people navigating LGBTQIA+ identities, racial and cultural identities, neurodivergence, chronic stress, and systemic oppression. They welcome anyone seeking a space to heal, create, and connect.