Cynthia Cunningham, LMFT
LMFT guiding recovery and relationship healing
- Addiction and recovery
- Relationship and family therapy
- CBT and attachment therapy
About Cynthia Cunningham
Cynthia Cunningham is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with more than 27 years of clinical experience. She combines professional training with lived experience, drawing on 35 years of sobriety and personal recovery from codependency and love addiction to inform a compassionate, practical approach to therapy.
She works with individuals and families on a wide range of concerns including addictions, relationship and family challenges, anger, self-esteem, stress, anxiety, grief, intimacy and eating or sleeping difficulties, as well as mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression. Cynthia helps clients navigate unreciprocated attachments, learn to assert boundaries with kindness, and build healthier patterns of self-care and connection. She also supports people coping with life transitions, career issues, ADHD, and caregiver stress.
Cynthia uses evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy to help clients identify patterns and make concrete changes. She centers the client as the decision-maker in therapy and emphasizes collaboration, practical skills, and steady support. Having been in the client’s chair herself, she acknowledges the courage it takes to begin this work and strives to be a steady companion through the process. She would be honored to work with people ready to take that first step toward change.
She works with individuals and families on a wide range of concerns including addictions, relationship and family challenges, anger, self-esteem, stress, anxiety, grief, intimacy and eating or sleeping difficulties, as well as mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and depression. Cynthia helps clients navigate unreciprocated attachments, learn to assert boundaries with kindness, and build healthier patterns of self-care and connection. She also supports people coping with life transitions, career issues, ADHD, and caregiver stress.
Cynthia uses evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy to help clients identify patterns and make concrete changes. She centers the client as the decision-maker in therapy and emphasizes collaboration, practical skills, and steady support. Having been in the client’s chair herself, she acknowledges the courage it takes to begin this work and strives to be a steady companion through the process. She would be honored to work with people ready to take that first step toward change.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Stress, AnxietyGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Gottman Method Hypnotherapy Imago Relationship Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Cynthia Cunningham have?
Cynthia Cunningham has 27 years of experience as a practicing therapist.
Is Cynthia Cunningham a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT. License details: CA LMFT 34049.
In which languages does Cynthia Cunningham provide therapy?
Cynthia Cunningham provides therapy in English.
Where is Cynthia Cunningham located?
She is located in California.
How can I work with Cynthia Cunningham as my therapist?
You can work with Cynthia Cunningham through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Cynthia Cunningham work with international clients?
Cynthia Cunningham does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Cynthia Cunningham cost?
Costs can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Online Approaches for Recovery and Relationship Work
Cynthia draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to guide online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise - it can be useful for anxiety, avoidance, and motivation-related challenges. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of relating formed in close relationships and supports building more secure connections and healthier boundaries, which is often helpful for intimacy, abandonment issues, and relationship conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and stress.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Cynthia works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps tailor interventions to what matters most to the client.
Online therapy with Cynthia is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase accessibility and fit therapy into busy lives. These options provide flexibility for scheduling, allow people to engage from familiar settings, and make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions or when in-person visits are difficult.
Ready to start therapy with Cynthia Cunningham?
Take the first step toward a better you.