Cynthia Cunningham, LMFT
Compassionate therapist with lived recovery experience
Details
| Name | Cynthia Cunningham |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMFT |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 27 |
About Cynthia
Cynthia Cunningham is a California licensed marriage and family therapist with 27 years of experience. She brings long-term recovery and personal experience to her work, having been sober for 35 years and in recovery from codependency and love addiction. Cynthia speaks plainly about change and focuses on practical steps clients can use right away.
Her style is direct and compassionate. She helps people who struggle with addiction, relationship pain, anxiety, depression, grief, and self-esteem.
Background and approach
She also supports those facing career stress, sleeping or eating problems, bipolar and mood concerns, and challenges tied to ADHD. Cynthia uses tools from Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. She aims to help people rewrite unhelpful life stories, notice patterns that cause pain, and build choices that match their values.
Sessions focus on concrete skills as well as changing the stories people tell about themselves. She speaks English and practices in California as an LMFT - licensed marriage and family therapist. Cindy invites clients to keep control of their therapy goals and pace.
She draws on her lived experience to offer encouragement alongside practical techniques. Cynthia asks people to take one step at a time. Early work often looks at boundaries, saying no, and shifting patterns of giving to oneself.
Over time she and the client shape a plan that fits day-to-day life and long-term hopes.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts among the things Cynthia works with, alongside the areas below.
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Gottman Method: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Hypnotherapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Imago Relationship Therapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Jungian Therapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Cynthia among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Cynthia directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Cynthia directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and values-based work translates online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and taking small steps toward those values. It helps with anxiety, depression, and motivation by combining mindful awareness with practical actions. Narrative Therapy looks at the stories people tell about themselves and seeks to separate the person from the problem so new possibilities emerge. It can be useful for relationship pain, shame, and long-standing patterns. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early bonds affect current relationships and helps people build different ways of relating when needed.Choosing the right approach is a cooperative process. The therapist will listen to your goals and try methods that fit your needs. Together you can test ideas, notice what helps, and adjust the plan so sessions feel relevant and usable in daily life.
Online therapy offers flexibility for busy schedules and different communication needs. Video calls let you work face to face when visual cues matter. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier when a quick check-in fits your day. Live chat or text-based messaging support shorter check-ins, ongoing tracking between sessions, or moments when writing helps you process. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while fitting it into work, caregiving, or other commitments.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does this therapist address?
Cynthia helps people with addictions, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem, and relationship pain. She also works with issues like bipolar mood challenges, ADHD, eating and sleeping problems, and life transitions.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is direct, compassionate, and practical. Sessions mix skills practice with looking at the stories that shape choices and behavior.
What background and experience does she bring?
She has 27 years of clinical experience and is in long-term recovery herself, which she integrates into her approach when helpful for clients.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT, which means licensed marriage and family therapist, practicing in California.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be done via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits the client.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist arrangements; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in getting started?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Cynthia are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Cynthia where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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