Susan McCurry, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist who specializes in working with midlife and older adults. She uses a contextual behavioral science approach to provide evidence-based treatment for enhancing quality of life in healthy aging adults, as well as in individuals experiencing age-related changes in physical, cognitive, or psychological function, disturbances in sleep, or residential care transitions and adjustments. She recognizes the broad and complex contextual factors that influence the aging process and welcomes interdisciplinary perspectives and collaboration.

In addition to working part-time in private practice at ABCD, Dr. McCurry is Research Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington School of Nursing.  She has authored two books designed to help health care professionals and family caregivers provide more effective and compassionate care to cognitively impaired individuals and has been a principal investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants using cognitive behavioral strategies to improve sleep in midlife and older adults. She is a recognized speaker at local, national, and international conferences, and considers working with aging individuals (of whom she is one!) to be her professional passion and calling.

Dr. McCurry’s clinical orientation has been influenced by a variety of cognitive and behavioral approaches, particularly Lawton’s theory of person-environment fit, behavioral gerontology, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Her areas of clinical specialty include:

• Behavioral sleep medicine and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
• Treatment of sleep disturbances in persons with age-related medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, chronic pain, and menopausal vasomotor symptoms
• Whole-person evaluation of mood and behavioral changes in individuals with cognitive decline
• Family and professional caregiver training for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia
• Caregiver psychoeducation and support to facilitate resilience and proactive self-care
• Assisting older adults with life transition issues impacting quality of life and adaptive aging

Education

1974, B.A., Botany/Biology, Pomona College
1977, M.S., Biology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
1984, M.S., Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
1991, PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno

Professional Training

1991 Geropsychology Predoctoral Internship, Reno VA Medical Center
1993 NIMH Postdoctoral Geropsychology Fellowship, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine

Work Experience

1991-2010        Attending Psychologist, University of Washington Geriatric and Family Services Clinic
1993-1998        Assistant professor, University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry and   Behavioral Sciences
1998-2021        Research faculty, University of Washington, Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing (previously Psychosocial and Community Health)
1998-2021        Adjunct research faculty, University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
2017-2023       Seattle Psychology, Clinical Psychologist
2021-present   University of Washington School of Nursing, Research Professor Emeritus
2023-present   ABCD, PLLC

Professional Licensure

Licensed Psychologist, State of Washington, PY00001627

Professional Memberships

American Psychological Association
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
Gerontological Society of America
Sleep Research Society
Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Washington State Psychological Association

Insurance

Dr. McCurry is private pay only.  She is not a Medicare provider.