Sarah Cunningham

Usual working hours:

Please note from April 2023 I am now only taking on online clients.

Monday: 11 am - 3 pm (online)

Tuesday: 11- 3pm (online)

Wednesday: 10 am - 2pm (online)

Thursday: 10am - 2pm (online)

Friday 10 am - 1 pm

My name is Sarah Cunningham and I run Therapy South London. I am a fully qualified psychotherapist and counsellor and have an MA (distinction) in Psychotherapy and Counselling. I am a registered member with BACP and abide by their code of ethical practice.

I work with all sorts of people but have particular experience working with attachment-related issues, anxiety, depression, social marginalisation, trauma, loss and family issues.

I also have extensive experience working as an advocate and trauma therapist for survivors of domestic abuse, coercive control and those overcoming narcissistic abuse. I also have an interest in working with new parents who have experienced early attachment trauma and those with PMDD.

Painful emotions can leave us feeling powerless, isolated or unheard in our communities. For some, therapy might be the first time they feel heard and understood and I provide a non-judgemental and collaborative space, where individuals can explore thought patterns and behaviours, so a deeper understanding 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 and cultivate more self-compassion. I believe that my clients are the experts in their own lives and have the capacity to fulfil their potential. 

I welcome clients from all backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations and nationalities.

I offer individual sessions with adults and young people aged 18+ and provide short-term counselling and long-term psychotherapy.

My working model is always client-centred and integrative but drawing primarily from psychodynamic theories of human development and the therapeutic process. The psychodynamic model is based on the concept that past experiences, behaviours and relationships affect who we are in the present. These experiences 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. To make the unconscious 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 of the feelings, thoughts and associated memories that have brought about this situation.

 ‘Integrative’ means that I incorporate understandings drawn from a variety of psychotherapy modalities into my practice. I believe that every person is unique, so I tailor my approach to meet your individual needs and am aware that these needs might change within the process. 

Working ‘relationally’ reflects the concept that we evolve through relationships. In relationships, we learn how safe it is to be in the world, what we can expect from other people, and how to relate to our needs and boundaries. The therapeutic alliance offers us a chance to discover not just who you have become because of your experiences, but a safe and contained environment to try out new ways of being. I may also signpost to CBT and grounding techniques as and when appropriate to the process.

I see clients online via Zoom & telephone counselling on Monday - Friday.

Please send me an email directly or via my website or check your spam/junk folder if you prefer to contact me via the BACP website.

The initial assessment allows me to take you briefly through my contract, to gain a deeper understanding of what brings you to therapy, family history, and explore any safeguarding issues. We can explore any questions you may have for me and my contract. This also gives us a chance to see if we can work together, or if a referral to a colleague who would be better suited, is applicable. 

The assessment should all take about 10 - 15 minutes and then we can begin the session. The session will last 50 minutes. 

My sliding scale is £70 - £85 per 50 minute session based on what you can afford. I have a limited number of concessionary rates for students, those on a low wage and NHS workers so please enquire.