Barbara R. Cunningham, PsyD

Name

Barbara R. Cunningham, Psy.D., LMFT

Website

Practice Description

As an intergenerational family systems therapist, my treatment approach is to provide clients with a new way to think about their relational problems. I offer support, but, more importantly, I teach a set of interlocking principles that empower people to move more effectively in their family and work relationships. My model of practice empowers clients to "hold on to themselves" in relationships while still remaining connected to important others, which, in turn, allows them to enjoy intimacy in love and productivity in work that only improves over time. In addition, I guide clients toward identifying and changing long-standing, dysfunctional patterns that may have been passed on from generation to generation. With sensitivity and compassion, I help clients find solutions to a wide range of life challenges and mental health issues.

Because I believe that all clients are experts on their own lives, I work with clients toward identifying and building on their individual and inherited strengths to achieve life goals and begin on the path to realizing dreams. Although every person and every family has unique strengths, I also believe that resiliency in several core areas can be taught. Thus, my approach involves the teaching of resiliency principles and is strength-based and humanistic.My model of therapy assumes that we are always "becoming" and that adversity offers all of us the opportunity to become stronger, not in spite of the adversity, but because of it!

I believe that two strong "I's" make the strongest possible "we" in couples' relationships. Because I am a systems therapist, I also believe that it is possible to do couples therapy with only one partner. In systems thinking, if there is a change in one person, the relationship will be impacted and change as well. Thus, if one partner is resistant to couples therapy, the other partner can still improve the relationship by doing individual work.

My doctoral research focused on grief and loss, and my dissertation was a case study on an effective, resiliency-based treatment for a sibling survivor of violent loss. I authored an academic book chapter detailing a systems treatment for impaired physicians and their families, which appears in a book edited by Gary W. Lawson and Ann W. Lawson (2010). The title of the book is ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS, second edition. According to the editors, the first edition of this academic text was used in many training programs in addiction and alcholism. In the past, I have enjoyed working as an adjunct professor at Alliant International University, where I taught classes in aging, parent-child therapy techniques, and techniques of marriage and family therapy. I also enjoyed teaching an undergraduate class on MFT theories at Alliant International University.

In summary, my training, compassion, and insight offer clients a unique opportunity to transcend current problems in the service of their own growth and developing maturity. I offer a complimentary twenty minute telephone consultation to help you decide whether this type of therapy might be a fit for you. For more information, visit my website at http://www.cunninghamtherapy.com

Office Description

Emphasis

Aging, Alcohol & Substance Abuse, Consulting, Couples, Intimacy, Death & Grief, Depression, Divorce, Extramarital Affairs, LGBTQIA, Parenting, Pre-marital Counseling, Remarriage & Stepfamilies, Sex Therapy, Sexual Abuse, Spirituality, Religion

Healthplan

Language

English

National Provider Identfier

Licenses

License	License Number	State
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist	MFC44053	California

Degrees

Date Earned	Degree	Institution	Major
5/3/2006	Psy.D.	Alliant International University (California School of Professional Psychology)	Marital and Familly Therapy

Locations

Licenses

Degrees