INDEPENDENTLY LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Aaron Christopher Slusher

Trans-Affirming Therapist for Neurodivergent & LGBTQIA+ Young Adults & Middle-Aged

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Licensure: LCSW

Location: Virginia & Telehealth

Languages: English

Accepting New Clients: Yes

Sliding Scale: Yes

Insurance: Aetna, BCBS, Medicaid, NHP, Tufts, United Student Health Resources, UHC

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About Aaron

I was born in rural SW Virginia. I figured out I had been misgendered by the time I was four, but it took me another 37 years to do anything about it. I was a "gifted" kid growing up and have all the quirks that memes attribute to the formerly gifted kids. I feel like I have finally found my career, it only took like 12 tries to get here. I spent most of my first 41 years thinking about ways to die, and the last 15 trying to help others want to live. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 51 and although I've never been officially diagnose I'm probably somewhere on the autism spectrum, I am definitely neurospicy. I love all animals, but especially dogs and horses. I've rarely met a hobby I wouldn't love to try, although I may never finish the project I start.

Specialties

  • ADHD

  • Anxiety

  • LGBQ+ (sexuality)

  • Transgender people

  • Depression

  • School issues

  • Self-Esteem/Worth/Compassion

  • Social Anxiety

  • Suicidal Thoughts

  • Gender Identity

  • Dysphoria

  • Euphoria Gender Nonbinary

  • Non-conforming, queer, expansive, or agender people

  • Gender-affirming care letter writing for Transgender People

  • Intersex people

  • Life Transitions

  • Midlife Stress

  • Neurodivergence

  • Panic

  • Political & Climate Stress

  • Polyamory/Non-Monogamy/Open Relationships,

  • Asexuality

  • Aromantic

  • Gray, Demi

  • ACE Spectrum

  • Autism Spectrum

  • Bipolar Patterns

  • Body Image, Body Dysmorphia, Body Neutrality and Acceptance, Body Positive

  • Career, Coaching Career, Counseling

  • Climate Anxiety

  • First Responders

Areas of Focus

  • Ecological, Climate & Animal Justice

  • Fat Liberation

  • Free Gender-Affirming Care Letter Provider for Transgender People (fully pro-bono process)

  • Gender-Affirming Care Access Advocate (TGNB)

  • Gender-Affirming Care Knowledgable (TGNB)

  • HIV Ally

  • Neurodivergence Justice

  • Peer Support

  • Transgender Justice

  • Pet Loss and Complicated Grief

  • Compassion Fatigue

Modalities

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Autistic-Affirming or Centered Therapy

  • Compassion Focused

  • Culturally Responsive/Affirming

  • EMDR

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

  • Mindfulness Based Therapy (including MBCT),

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Neurodivergent-Affirming Therapy

  • Person-Centered Therapy

  • Positive Psychology

  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy

  • Strength-Based

Lived Experience
and Perspective

  • Autistic Person

  • Gender Nonbinary

  • Non-Conforming, Queer, Expansive, or Agender

  • LGBQ+ Sexuality

  • Man or Masc

  • Neurodivergent Person

  • Older Adult

  • Transgender

  • White/European Diaspora

Why I Do This Work

I believe that every person has a purpose and a reason for being. I believe that we all instinctually know who we are supposed to be and how we are supposed to get there. Unfortunately, we often don't trust ourselves enough to follow what we know. I could quote a lot from Doctor Who, but I won't. 

- Aaron C. Slusher

My Approach in Practice

I work with the person as a whole to help them live the life they want to live, I don't treat a diagnosis, I treat the individual.

What Clients Often Come to Me For

People often reach out when life feels heavy, layered, or difficult to put into words.

Figuring out who they are

Exploring identity and looking for a path through life that feels true to who they are, especially as neurodivergent and/or LGBTQIA+ young adults.

Navigating anxiety, depression, or self-esteem

While working through major life or career transitions.

Looking for connection outside the “normal box”

Embracing their uniqueness while recognizing they’re part of something larger.

Caregivers, activists, and organizers

Who spend so much energy caring for others that they need a space to be cared for themselves.

Clients can expect unconditional acceptance, sincere support, and occasionally
a little tough love.

SCHEDULE WITH AARON NOW
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