Miranda Mihalic LSW

Welcome. My name is Miranda (they/them) and I am a Licensed Social Worker therapist. I have experience working with people navigating complex and intergenerational trauma, anxiety, depression, parentification, racial and gender identity development, and non-traditional relationship dynamics. As a Latine, nonbinary, queer individual, I am familiar with the limited spaces that are inclusive of all identities and also recognize the privileges I hold as a white-passing person with access to education whose primary language is English. I hold myself accountable to challenging colonized and supremist values both personally and professionally through self-reflection and critically thinking how these social constructs shape the way I show up in therapy. I acknowledge that coming to sessions is extremely courageous and I will honor your bravery by taking the time to get to know all the parts that you feel important for me to know, with consideration for your unique identities and experiences that intersect with oppression and power.

As a biracial, queer, nonbinary person, I understand what it’s like to navigate a sense of belonging and the challenges with being in-between social expectations. I was taught at a young age that there is safety in assimilating, which separated me from my cultural roots. I recognized the intergenerational struggles in my family and communities that created disconnection out of survival, which prompted me to embrace my whole self and reconnect to my roots through language, food, and music. Learning to break cycles began my healing and is an ongoing practice I engage in, one that is not linear. It has taught me the value of transformative healing in community and the strength of loving and supportive chosen friends and family. It wasn’t until I had a safe space to step fully into myself that I was able to heal parts that were silenced, move through the world with authenticity, and carry out my own agency. This has framed my passion for working with QTBIPOC folks and cultivating a space where you will always feel heard, validated, and empowered to tell your story and use your voice. I help clients rewrite the pages in their book and reassign new meanings to your story, centering your experience, strengths, and resilience. I use relational therapy with compassion, curiosity, and affirmation to guide awareness in patterns that show up in past and/or current relationships. I will often check in with you on my own observations so we can both get a better understanding of how you have learned to interact with the world.

My commitment to practicing anti-oppressive therapy and creating spaces for folks who are marginalized also looks like working with people in polyamorous, non-monogamous, or non-traditional relationship dynamics. These sessions involve creating a shared goal with named aspirations and hesitations, leaning into what bids of connection look like for each person, and managing conflict by reconstructing communication for a deeper bond. I believe reflecting on how your cultural history influences expectations can help to understand what is meaningful to you, as well as learning about experiences with relationships that have been modeled to you. I value deconstructing roles shaped by patriarchy and heteronormativity that are unintentionally manifested, but conditioned in us because of the society we live in. My goal is to work with you to foster a connection with a foundation of trust, respect, mutual reciprocity, and intentional care.

 I acknowledge that coming to sessions is extremely courageous and I will honor your bravery by taking the time to get to know all the parts that you feel important for me to know, with consideration for your unique identities and experiences that intersect with oppression and power.

It is through our relationships with others that we get to have a better understanding of ourselves, which is why I like to explore early childhood experiences and relationships throughout life that have impacted your current self, and how this can serve to nurture growth and well-being. I will take the time to understand the cultural, social, economic, and environmental influences that are interconnected with your experiences. Using Mindfulness, I help clients focus on what is happening in the “here and now” and raise awareness on automatic responses to the outer world. Once we begin to map out what that looks like, I collaborate with clients on using coping skills to manage stress and grounding techniques to attune to your physical and emotional needs. I believe that incorporating rest and slowing down is an act of self-care and resistance against capitalism. I will encourage this in sessions by utilizing breathwork and reconnecting with the signs and signals your body is telling you it needs in the moment. The systems of oppression we live in strive off disconnection and aims to quiet your intuition, especially for QTBIPOC folxs. By utilizing mindfulness we are becoming more familiar with your inner wisdom that has always been there.

As we get to a place that feels safe to process trauma, I use Parts Work to explore your inner world together to learn how different protective parts of yourself have been created. These parts may have been created out of survival, conflict with one another, and some may no longer serve you in ways they were once intended.  I believe every part of you is skillful at its core and I will work with you to wield your strengths. I will do this with curiosity and with intentional compassion and grace towards all of you. As a trauma-informed therapist, I will never rush the process. I utilize a holistic approach to processing thoughts, feelings, emotions, and sensations with what feels right for each client. I understand that Western approaches to healing were not made with everyone in mind, particularly QTBIPOC folx, and will integrate DBT, CBT, Parts Work, Mindfulness, Somatic Practices, and Motivational Interviewing into sessions from a pro-liberation approach. I will show up with authenticity as my genuine self. My goal is to offer a space that affirms your racial, gender, sexual, and neurodivergent identity where you feel comfortable to show up as your whole self.

Outside of the therapy room I enjoy spending time with loved ones, crafting, reading, cooking and baking, music, dancing, and cuddling with my cat Charlotte!

To schedule an appointment: info@mindfullifechicago.com