April Kilduff
(She/They)
LCPC, LPCC, LMHC, LPC
April Kilduff, LCPC, is a Chicago-based therapist specializing in anxiety disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and providing adult autism exploration assessments. With a focus on evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she helps clients navigate their challenges with expertise and empathy. Drawing from her background in advertising and research, April curates top self-help resources to support mental health recovery.
Background
My first career was actually advertising, but I burned out after a decade. I'd always had an interest in psychology, in part because I grew up with anxiety, panic & depression issues that I had some great therapy.
My focus has always been on OCD, anxiety disorders & autism. My goal is be one of those therapists who provides great, evidence-based therapy that makes a meaningful difference.
Becoming an OCD specialist was a happy accident. Unfortunately, grad school never really talked about OCD or Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), so when I interned at an intensive Anxiety & OCD program I got to learn hands-on all about OCD & ERP & basically fell in love with it. ERP has a favorable treatment rate of approximately 80%+ & I have witnessed so many people get better & take their lives back from OCD by doing ERP along with CBT & ACT.
My hyper-specialization is working with autistic adults who also struggle with OCD, which I have done since 2009. This was an even happier accident from that first internship where I met my first autistic adults trying to manage OCD. My favorite form of learning is immersion, so I spent years in the autistic community learning to be as informed as possible. As more autistic voices have surfaced, we have a much greater understanding of autism itself as well as how it can present. And in July of 2022, I was professionally assessed & identified as autistic myself! And now I also offer adult autism assessments for those in IL & OH.