We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ken Cunningham. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ken below.

Ken , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

A risk I took was moving to the United States at age 23. I was born and raised in Japan to an American father and a Japanese mother, so moving to the U.S. was both exciting and anxiety-provoking. At the time, I didn’t really think of it as a big risk, but looking back, it was.

I had completed my undergraduate law degree in Japan and landed a job at a major Japanese airline company. I quit shortly after, which probably seemed foolish to some. But the truth is I was never passionate about that job and was always interested in learning more about the field of psychology and counseling.

The risk was significant in several ways. I was leaving behind my family whom I loved, my close friends, and even my girlfriend at the time. I arrived in the U.S. with two suitcases and stayed at a Red Roof Inn in Arlington Heights at $30 per night for a week while I searched for an apartment. At that point, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy or succeed in the field of counseling—this was before even entering graduate school, which would take another three years of study.

In many ways, it felt like a gamble. There were no guarantees that this path would work out, but I was interested and determined enough to trust that it would. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Taking that leap taught me the value of acting on what you want to do. Even if for some reason it hadn’t turned out as I expected, I would have known because I took action. There is always uncertainty, but the lesson of embracing it and acting on what I want is something I carry with me both personally and professionally.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind. Growing up, I witnessed my older sister struggle with mental health issues. This experience profoundly impacted me and was a big factor for wanting to learn about how I could support others facing similar challenges. I’ve also always been on the sensitive side and prone to overthinking, which made me even more determined to find ways to manage and understand mental health struggles, both personally and professionally. I think the combination of these naturally led me to want to learn more about mental health and eventually, to help others.

After spending a decade working in the field, including experiences I gained in grad school, I launched Anxiety and OCD Therapy Center in December 2024. I specialize in helping adults struggling with anxiety and OCD, offering an evidence-based approach to therapy.

What sets my practice apart is the goal-oriented, structured approach to treating anxiety and OCD. While I know traditional talk therapy can certainly provide value by offering a space to be heard, I believe that sometimes we need to be more active in our approach to healing. Anxiety and OCD are fortunately well-studied, and effective treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness practices exist. I strive to offer a space where clients can feel heard, supported, and empowered while making proactive and meaningful changes in their lives.

At Anxiety and OCD Therapy Center, my goal is to equip clients with tools and strategies to overcome their struggles and build resilience. Together, we create a personalized plan and move towards a life they truly want to live. In a sense, I empower them to become their own therapist.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Coping with my sister’s suicide has been, and continues to be, one of the most challenging experiences of my life. It was an incredibly devastating experience with so many difficult thoughts and emotions. While it taught me a great deal about resilience, it also highlighted the importance of having someone there for me. In my case, it was my wife. It was also incredibly difficult for my mother, but together, as a team, we are getting through it.

After my sister’s passing, I worked hard to maintain a routine by continuing to work, eating well, getting good sleep, exercising daily, and socializing. I also began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which gave me an outlet to keep me grounded and cope. Continuing to maintain a daily routine taught me that even when my mind isn’t up for it, I can start from the behavior and still take action.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back, I would absolutely choose the same profession and specialty (anxiety and OCD). I didn’t start out specializing in this area, but I believe that was actually a positive thing. Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including an eating disorder center and a partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient program (PHP/IOP) primarily for mood disorders, where I worked with teens. I also provided therapy in outpatient clinics, gaining experience with a wide range of mental health struggles. These experiences broadened my knowledge and, over time, allowed me to refine my focus on helping individuals manage anxiety and OCD effectively.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aocdtherapy.com