Meet Ken Cunningham | LPCC, Therapist Specializing in Anxiety & OCD

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ken Cunningham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ken, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
While it’s a widely recommended classic, one book that has profoundly impacted me is Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Frankl’s unimaginable experiences in the concentration camps and how he managed to survive are incredible. I revisited this book in 2021, after my sister passed away, and it really helped me cope with some of the hardest and darkest days of grief.

One quote that has particularly resonated with me is, “If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering.” His story showed me that even in the worst circumstances, it’s still possible to find meaning. That mindset gave me a lot of hope and strength, and I believe any reader can take away the same.

Although I don’t practice logotherapy (the therapeutic approach developed by Frankl), the wisdom in this book is universal and offers valuable lessons that anyone can apply to their own life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets my practice apart is the goal-oriented, structured approach I bring to treating anxiety and OCD. These conditions are luckily well-studied, and effective treatments exist. It’s just that they require a more active approach, and consistent practice. I’m proud to offer a space where clients can feel supported and empowered while making meaningful changes in their lives.

Starting my private practice has been a dream of mine, allowing me to focus on the approaches I believe in and provide the best care for my clients. While the journey hasn’t been easy, it’s been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to continue helping people build resilience and live the life they want.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If someone were visiting, I’d want to show them a mix of nature, adventure, and local spots:

• An Airbnb stay in Joshua Tree to enjoy the beautiful desert and look at the stars at night.
• A beach day in San Clemente—walking on the sand, feeling the water, and listening to the waves.
• Kayaking in Newport Beach, starting from North Star Beach, paddling past Balboa Island, and heading out to the ocean. We’ll pack some sandwiches to enjoy along the way.
• A visit to Solvang, a cozy town with unique shops. We can check out The Book Loft to find some nice and old leather-bound classic books.
• A drive to Ramona, and on the way back grab a delicious hot dog or two at Duff’s Doggz.
• If there’s more time, heading up to Sequoia National Park for one of my favorite hikes in America and camping.
• Ending with a visit to Cream Pan in Tustin for their strawberry croissants.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Sam Harris for the significant impact his work has had on both my personal and professional journey. While I had heard about mindfulness before, he was the first person who really got me into it. It’s honestly one of the best things I’ve learned and developed as a person. Not only do I practice it personally, but it’s also a big part of what I do in my sessions with clients. I encourage them to practice mindfulness for better managing anxiety and OCD, which is my specialty as a therapist.

Words can’t describe how thankful I am for everything he does and how his work has truly changed my life.

Website: https://www.aocdtherapy.com