Kerry Curran, LCSW, A-CBT (She/her)

Director of Anxiety Disorders and OCD Program

I have over 15 years of clinical experience and am currently a therapist and the Director of Anxiety Disorders and OCD Program at the Depression and Anxiety Specialty Clinic of Chicago. I am a Certified Diplomate with the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (A-CBT) and provide group and individual services at DASC. In my individual work I utilize evidence-based practices, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I specialize in treating anxiety disorders including OCD, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, social phobia and specific phobias in addition to personality disorders, depression and trauma. I have a special interest in treating sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, and have experience in providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

I strongly believe in being a lifelong learner and the importance of staying informed on the most up to date research and interventions in the field. I supervise and train students and other therapists in providing empirically supported treatments. I have also worked as an adjunct professor in the Master’s in Social Work Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I am a member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and past presenter at their national conference. I am also on the Board of OCD Midwest.

I believe that therapy is not meant to be comfortable or easy. I am there to support you in your journey towards making the changes you want in order to improve your mood, relationships, and sense of self. I believe that when we connect with our values, we are able to move our lives in meaningful directions, even in the face of adversity.

My approach is warm and collaborative, and I enjoy incorporating a little humor when possible. I take a strengths-based perspective and believe that clients are the experts of their own lives. I believe in taking a non-judgmental approach and strive to create an environment in which clients feel safe to bring all aspects of themselves to therapy. I identify strongly with the value of social justice and am committed to the life-long journey of understanding and dismantling privilege.
About me: Social connection is the most important thing to me. My friends and family mean everything and I’m happiest when I am surrounded by them. I love to travel and when I’m not exploring a new city or country, I’m checking out a new restaurant in Chicago. I love attending concerts, finding ways to stay physically active, I am a podcast fanatic, a lover of the sun and I have a special affinity for iced coffee!

Favorite quote: And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom -Anais Nin

Insurance accepted: BCBS PPO, BCBS Blue Choice PPO, Aetna PPO, United/Optum, Medicare, Tricare, Sliding Scale When Applicable

Contact
Kerry Curran, Director of DBT and Group Services
kerrycurran@dascchicago.com