Aaron Testard

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) with over two decades of experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and communities. My passion for this work began in 2002 at the Pacific Center for Human Growth, one of the nation’s oldest LGBTQ counseling centers, where I later served as Director of Clinical Programs. In that role, I oversaw psychotherapy services, peer support programs, and training for clinicians on LGBTQ-affirming care. More recently, I co-founded the Chicago Queer Therapist Network, where I continue to foster connection, consultation, and advocacy among clinicians dedicated to serving queer and trans clients.

In my private practice, I specialize in helping clients navigate identity exploration, relationship challenges, trauma, addiction recovery, and the impact of chronic illness. My approach is collaborative and affirming: I believe you are the expert on your own life, and therapy is most effective when it honors your unique experiences and strengths.

I integrate a range of evidence-based and creative approaches — including sensorimotor psychotherapy, EMDR, relational therapy, drama therapy, the Gottman Method, and DBT-informed practices — tailoring treatment to fit each client’s needs. My aim is to create a space where you feel safe to be fully yourself, to work through pain or stuck places, and to move toward greater clarity, resilience, and ease.

Above all, I want therapy to feel like a place where you are deeply seen and supported. Whether you are seeking healing, growth, or simply a compassionate space to reflect, I am here to walk alongside you.

I see therapy as a place where we connect the dots between past experiences and present challenges, while focusing on the changes you want to make now. My approach blends mind, body, and emotions so we have different ways to explore what’s going on and find new paths forward. Together, we’ll work in the present moment to create insight, healing, and lasting growth.

In our first session, I’ll take time to get to know you, hear what brings you to therapy, and gather information about your history and goals. We’ll explore whether you’re looking for brief, focused support around a specific concern or a longer-term, more exploratory process of self-understanding and growth. From there, we’ll create a plan together and revisit your progress along the way, with the understanding that your needs may evolve as you do.