Introduction

Hi, I’m Aaron Roldan. I specialize in trauma and eating disorder treatment, with a deep commitment to exceptional, affirming care for Transgender and Queer individuals. Beyond the therapy room, I consult with treatment centers, present at national and international conferences, and advise media outlets, all in service of making affirming, evidence-based care more accessible. Whether you’re seeking therapy or looking to build a more affirming practice, you’re in the right place.

Aaron Roladan sitting on a couch, smiling, with curly hair and wearing a white shirt and dark pants, with a tattooed arm resting on her lap.

About

I am a Queer, Neurodivergent (Autistic and ADHD) Transgender woman of color (Latine), born and raised in Southern California (shoutout to Long Beach). I sometimes jokingly refer to myself as someone’s “DEI nightmare,” which is my way of saying that my identities are not separate from my work, my values, or the way I move through the world.

My life has been shaped by the intersections of my identities, and it would be impossible to explain who I am without talking about how I have learned to navigate the world. As a late-diagnosed Autistic person with ADHD, I know what it is like to feel like the “odd one out,” to feel like you do not quite fit, and to spend a long time trying to understand why the world feels the way it does. Over time, those experiences have helped me become more proud of who I am and more committed to creating space for people who have rarely felt fully understood. I want clients, colleagues, and community members to know that there are people out there who can meet them with real recognition and with a deeper understanding of who they are.

Relational, long-term therapy has profoundly shaped my own growth, and I am grateful to offer others, especially those in my communities, the opportunity to experience that kind of care.

Professional Background

My work is rooted in believing in an individual's autonomy, and agency. My philosophy as a therapist began during my undergraduate studies where I earned my BA in Feminist Studies and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz (let’s go fighting Banana Slugs). This passion for human rights, and agency continued during my Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the California State University of Los Angeles (CSULA), and continues to inform my work as a doctoral student at the Institute for Clinical Social Work where I study Psychodynamic Social Work. I am dedicated to continuing my education both through formal university settings as well as through post-graduate settings so that I am clinically sharp, and able to provide the best care possible to my clients. As a result I am professionally trained and skilled in several trauma modalities such as AEDP, Internal Family Systems (IFS or parts-work), EMDR and long-term depth therapies such as Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Gestalt Psychotherapy.

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Feminist studies and Sociology (double major) - University of California Santa Cruz

  • Master of Social Work - California State University of Los Angeles

  • Ph.D in Clinical Social Work - Institute for Clinical Social Work (In Progress)

Licensure and Certification

  • California Board of Behavioral Sciences - Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW): #117793 [valid: 8/29/2023 – 8/31/2026]

  • California Association of DUI Treatment Programs - Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor: SUDCC #13339 [valid: 06/16/2025 – 6/16/2027]

Post-graduate Training


COMPLETED:

  • The Institute for Creative Mindfulness - EMDR Basic Training

  • AEDP Institute - AEDP Immersion

  • IFS Institute - IFS level 1 training

  • IFS Institute - IFS Level 2: Deepening and Expanding with IFS

  • Pacific Gestalt Institute - Gestalt Therapy (Weekend One)

  • Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society - Group Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Institute - Neuro-affirming Inference Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) For OCD

  • Functional Analytical Psychotherapy - Training Conducted By Holly Yates & Elle Winterwood

  • Academy for Eating Disorder Professionals - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (CBT-AR)

  • Family Well-Being Consultation - Presented by C. Alec Pollard, Ph.D., Gary Mitchell, MSW, LCSW, and Melanie VanDyke, Ph.D.

ONGOING:

  • Gestalt Therapy - Pacific Gestalt Institute

  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy - Institute for Clinical Social Work

UPCOMING:

  • Intimacy From The Inside Out - IFIO Basic Training Global Majority Affinity

If you have questions about how I work, feel free to check out my FAQ page for more information.