THERAPY SOUTH LONDON
Psychotherapy & Clinical Supervision with Sarah Cunningham
ABOUT SARAH
Welcome to Therapy South London. My name is Sarah Cunningham and I am a Psychodynamic & Integrative Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor and a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I abide by the BACP Ethical guidelines. I am based in Greenwich and Shoreditch in London but please note that I am currently only working on Zoom and by phone.
I believe that my clients are the experts in their own lives and have the capacity to fulfil their own potential. I consider the therapeutic relationship to be a collaborative process which provides a non-judgemental space, where an exploration of thought patterns can be examined and more clarity and understanding of our inner worlds can be reached. This can allow us to see situations or dynamics within relationships from a different perspective and can help to gain a deeper awareness of destructive or unhelpful patterns.
I offer individual sessions with adults aged 18 + and provide short-term, solution-focused counselling and long-term psychotherapy. Counselling tends to be short-term (between 6-12 sessions) and with a focus on a current issue or crisis. Psychotherapy is the longer-term exploration of the self as a whole entity – there may be many areas of life and the unconscious which are explored in-depth, over a period of time, via the therapeutic relationship.
Painful feelings ranging from relationship issues, stress at work, anxiety, trauma or bereavement can leave us feeling powerless, isolated or unheard in our communities. For some, therapy might be the first time that they feel listened to and understood, and this experience can lead to individuals feeling freer to make decisions about their lives and gain a stronger sense of agency.
THERAPY
MY APPROACH
I offer curiosity, exploration and supportive challenge to help clients identify new ways of being and cultivate connection with themselves and others.
I have carried out extensive psychodynamic and integrative postgraduate training and I draw on a variety of modalities, including attachment-focused, relational, polyvagal and somatic experiencing, always tailoring my approach depending on what brings you to therapy.
The psychodynamic model is based on the concept that past experiences, behaviours and relationships influence who we are in the present. Some ways of coping may have served us in the past to help us overcome challenging experiences, but can often result in a feeling of being 'stuck' in the present situation. Exploring these conflicts that result from this ‘stuckness’ is fundamental to the process of understanding ourselves and how we relate to other people. Bringing the unconscious into the conscious, enables you to have more of an insight into who you are. One aim of psychodynamic psychotherapy is to help you make sense of your current situation and the feelings, thoughts and associated memories that have brought about this situation.
Working ‘relationally’ reflects the concept that we evolve through relationships. It is in relationship that we learn how safe it is to be in the world, what we can expect from other people, and how to relate to our own needs and boundaries. The therapeutic alliance offers us a chance to discover not just who you’ve become because of your experiences, but a safe and contained environment to try out new ways of being.
I also have an interest in working somatically informed by polyvagal theory, inviting clients to notice physical sensations that might be manifesting in the body due to trauma or panic, and how bringing this into awareness can help process complex emotions and feelings. Over time this can help bring the client's central nervous system back into regulation through grounding and stabilisation techniques and can give a sense of agency back to the client.
I tailor my approach according to individual needs and wishes and the nature of the contract we agree upon.
I have a special interest in working with clients facing difficulties in relationships of all kinds, attachment-related trauma and social marginalisation. These might include anxiety, depression, procrastination, work-related stress, and challenges related to loss, to name but a few.
I have worked with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultural heritages, and have helped clients who have experienced a variety of issues relating to:
Domestic abuse/ coercive control
- Trauma/ PTSD
- Gender
- Sexuality
- Depression
- Anxiety
-LGBTQIA issues
- Family issues
- Perinatal issues
- Strong inner-critic
- ADHD & autism
- Relationship issues
- Social marginalisation
- Bereavement/ loss
- Work-related stress
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
I am based in Greenwich (South East London) and Shoreditch (East London) but I am currently only seeing clients on Zoom and by telephone.
You might not be entirely sure whether I work with the issues you want to bring. Please feel free to contact me - we can consider together whether I’m the right therapist for you. If I’m not, I can usually signpost to a trusted colleague who might be a better fit. Please note that I currently only offer therapy to individuals and not to couples.
COST
My sliding scale is £65 - £85 per 50-minute session depending on your financial situation, so please state what you can afford in your enquiry. I do have a high demand for discounted slots so if you are interested please enquire and I can add you to my low-cost waiting list.
QUALIFICATIONS
Advanced Diploma in Clinical Supervision (individual & groups) - The Iron Mill College, Exeter
MA Counselling - Goldsmiths College, University of London (Distinction)
Postgraduate Certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling - Regent's University, University of London
SPECIALIST TRAINING (CPD)
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A Study in Trauma and Somatic Memory: A Two-Day Workshop with Dr Janina Fisher PhD
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The Applications of Attachment Theory to Psychotherapy with Dr Cristopher Clulow, Linda Clundy, Professor Jeremy Holmes
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Walking Eco Therapy
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Couples In and Emerging from Lockdown with Dr Christopher Clulow and Kate Thompson
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Working with survivors of gendered violence, domestic abuse
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Carried out postgraduate research into the impact of coercive control on development and took a specialist training course in working with survivors of coercive control
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Understanding Childhood: social and clinical perspectives
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Conscious Uncoupling: Couple Psychotherapy in the Transition Through Separation & Divorce with Dr Christopher Clulow, Liz Hamlin, Dr Avi Shmueli and Kate Thompson
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Working with Domestic Violence and Emotional Abuse, An Object Relational Understanding with Dr David Celani
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Codependency in Adulthood: Enmeshment and Merger in the Parent-Child Relationship with Dr Aileen Alleyne, Dr Tamara Feldman, Mark Linington, Dr Arlene Vetere
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Working with the Menstrual Cycle in Psychotherapy, With Dr Margaret Altemus, Letticia Banton, Danielle Redland and Jane Catherine Severn
LOCATION
OPENING TIMES
Monday: 11 am - 3 pm
Tuesday: 11 am- 3 pm
Wednesday: 11 am - 3 pm
Thursday: 11 am - 3 pm
Friday 10 am - 1 pm
BOOK NOW
To book an appointment, please fill out the form below or send an email to therapysouthlondon@gmail.com rather than leaving a voicemail please.
Location: I currently am only working with clients on Zoom and by telephone.
Please check my opening hours above and please state your preferred days/ times, whether you are looking for Zoom/ telephone sessions and where you place yourself on the sliding scale between £65 - £85 per session. Please let me know where you heard about Therapy South London, and I will get back to you with some potential appointment slots.
If our schedules don't line up initially do let me know if you are happy for me to add you to my waiting list.