Michelle Anklan, LCSW

My journey to becoming a mental health therapist began in 2013 when I suffered a devastating knee injury that left me on crutches for a total of 848 days. I’d been living my dream life as a snowboard instructor, gymnastics coach, and backpacking guide in Colorado when I suddenly had to completely reinvent myself as I navigated recovery from an injury that limited my usual coping mechanisms and threatened all of the life plans I’d made. As part of my own coping and healing process, I entered into intense mental and physical therapy and dove deep into studies on positive psychology and physical pain, mindfulness, yoga, and meditation. During my Master of Social work program I interned at the Leo A. Hoffmann Center, a residential treatment center for adolescent boys with problematic sexual behavior, and at Mayo Clinic - Rochester’s Transgender and Intersex Specialty Care Clinic. In 2018, I completed my Master of Social Work as well as a graduate certificate in Gender and Women’s Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. I then worked for 13 months as a wilderness therapist in rural Utah, followed by over 2 years working as a therapist at a queer community center in Salt Lake City. In addition to Full Progress Mental Wellness, I am an associate instructor for the University of Utah’s Master of Social Work program, where I teach online courses focused on social justice within the social work profession.

Feminist Therapy- Examining and addressing power hierarchies in society that disempower individuals and groups

Queer Theory- Challenging the notion that heterosexuality and monogamy are the “default” orientations

Sex Positivity- Recognizing how you can be happy and fulfilled through your unique expression of sexuality that contributes to your overall wellbeing and quality of life

Narrative Therapy- Deconstructing and reconstructing the meaning we give to our life experiences

Secular Therapy- Finding and following your own values, guided by science and reason

Taylor Swift- “Honey I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time”

Theoretical Framework

Using a mixture of theoretical frameworks, memes, and Taylor Swift lyrics, we will work together to process your past, identify your present values, and plan for your future.

Therapy is for everyone!

We will be an especially good fit if you align with one or more of these identities: 

  • Pride Ride 2022 at Brighton resort, photo by Jovvany Villalobos

    Queer

    As a member of the queer community, I understand the challenges of existing within a heteronormative and mononormative society. I love working with queer folx and helping clients explore and embrace their queer identity. I am a founder of Pride Ride Utah, now in its 3rd year at Brighton Resort.

  • Women in the sunset

    Women

    Women face unique demands, perpetually being told they are “too much” and simultaneously “not enough.” I approach our work through a macro lens that helps you recognize and challenge gendered expectations. If you’ve ever felt judged for being a slut, a spinster, bossy, nasty, a basic bitch, or childfree by choice, let’s talk.

  • Michelle doing a handstand on a beach at sunset

    Gymnasts

    I grew up doing gymnastics and remain a hard-core #gymnerd. I do not practice sports psychology, but understanding the culture of competitive gymnastics allows me to support the unique mental health needs of current or former gymnasts experiencing perfectionist tendencies or finding meaning in their experiences.

  • Michelle with a poster presentation titled "Applying social work values to the care and treatment of intersex people"

    Intersex

    As an intersex ally, I strive to be well-informed on the nuances of intersex mental health care and advocate for bans on medically unnecessary surgical interventions on intersex infants and children. I work with intersex clients as well as parents of intersex children.

  • Transgender pride flag

    Trans

    As an ally to transgender people, I recognize my cis-privilege and practice gender affirming care that honors you as the expert in your own life. I practice from an informed consent model and have written over 30 letters for clients seeking gender affirming medical intervention.

  • Person holding a whiteboard that says "hello my pronouns are ___/___)

    Non-binary

    Non-binary folx have different needs than transgender people, a distinction which is commonly misunderstood by mental health providers. I recognize the nuances of gender identity and expression and will honor your existence outside of a societally imposed binary.

  • Protest sign in front of the LDS headquarter building reading "If I wanted politics in my vagina I'd fuck a Senator"

    Atheist/Agnostic

    Living in a country and state with strongly institutionalized Christianity, I provide secular therapy that is trauma informed and recognizes the damage done by institutionalized religion. I volunteer with Camp Quest and am a member of the Secular Therapy Project.

  • Michelle holding a flame in a bark nest

    Post-Wilderness Therapy

    I worked as a wilderness therapist in Utah for 13 months and understand the unique experiences of living full-time in this setting. Whether you participated as a student or staff, it is important to process and integrate experiences from wilderness therapy into post-wilderness life.

  • Three people wearing polyamory colored t-shirts embracing

    "Alternative" Sexualities

    Looking at sex and sexuality through a lens of diversity, empowerment, and choice, I work with those practicing ethical non-monogamy or polyamory, kink, BDSM, sex work, etc. I have a Sex Positive Professional certification from the Center for Positive Sexuality and I co-authored a research paper on women’s use of vibrators.

Start a new relationship with yourself now.