Counseling Staff Biographies

Maria Curran, M.Ed., Ph.D., LPC, founder and director of CCH, is a licensed professional counselor (master's level) and play/expressive arts therapist with over 21 years of counseling experience working with children and adults in a variety of settings including; private practice, residential facilities, schools, community agencies and partial hospitalization.

Maria holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences with a concentration in creativity, learning and human development and her research focused on theatre and character education. Maria also holds a Master's degree in counseling and a Bachelor's degree in psychology. She was a Teaching Artist with the N.C. Wolf Trap program for three years and her teaching and professional training experience includes serving as adjunct faculty for 3 1/2 years at CPCC in the Human Services Program and for the past four years in the the Teacher Education program. Maria also facilitates workshops for counselors and educators both at CCH and on site. Her areas of expertise include creativity/personal growth, domestic violence, sexual trauma, child abuse and interpersonal relationships, parenting, character education, reunification therapy, filial therapy, divorce/blended families, adoption and arts integration.

Maria has completed her facilitator certification in the Open Studio Process and offers classes in OSP, visual journaling, the Artist's Way, and creative movement. She is happy to design a class or workshop for your group ranging from 2 hours to an entire weekend.

Katie H. Overcash, LCSW, earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Masters of Social Work from the University of Alabama. She has provided mental health counseling for children, adults, and families in residential programs, school based programs, and outpatient facilities. Katie specializes in issues surrounding divorce, separation, grief, sexual trauma, domestic violence, child abuse, ADHD, school difficulty, parenting, and interpersonal relationships. Katie is welcoming to all children, adults, couples, and families. For more information please visit www.katieovercash.com.

Jim Cunningham, MA, LPA, is a master’s level clinical psychologist with over 26 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, in a variety of settings, including: residential treatment centers; day treatment programs; partial hospitalization programs; and outpatient settings.

Jim earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, with a Minor in Counseling, from Appalachian State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jim’s areas of expertise include: mood and anxiety disorders; ADHD; trauma and grief issues; parenting issues; oppositional/defiant disorders; school difficulties; developmental disabilities and learning disorders; and geriatric disorders, such as dementia.

Lila is currenty working toward her certification as a therapy dog. She is a Golden Retriever/Australian Shephard mix and was adopted from the pound after being thrown from a moving car as a young puppy. She does a great job of making clients, especially children, feel welcome and comfortable at the center.