Sarah Cunningham

Usual working hours:

Please note 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, counsellor and supervisor. I hold a masters degree in psychotherapy and counselling from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a postgraduate diploma in integrative supervision of individuals and groups from the Iron Mill College in Exeter.

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, perinatal issues and complex family dynamics.

I also have extensive experience working as an IDVA 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.

I am currently taking on new supervisees.

Individual supervision prices:

£60 for 50 minute supervision session.

£90 for a 90 minute (1.5 hours) supervision session.

I hold a masters degree in psychotherapy & counselling from Goldsmiths, University of London, & a postgraduate diploma in integrative supervision of individuals & groups from the Iron Mill College in Exeter.

My approach is psychodynamic & integrative; I draw on a variety of modalities including person centred, attachment-focused, systemic and relational. I also have an interest in working somatically, encouraging supervisees to notice physical sensations manifesting in the body when discussing a client, & how bringing this into awareness can help highlight and process complex emotions and feelings relating to the client work.

I am committed to cultivating a holistic holding environment where supervisee self care is developed as a way to protect against burnout.

I provide a supportive clinical experience that builds on the training, skills & personal and professional experience of the supervisee.

I bring a supervisory focus exploring the countertransference between client & psychotherapist and bringing unconscious material into the consciousness via creative interventions.

 I feel I could be particularly helpful to:

- Integrative or humanistic therapists who are interested in psychodynamic ideas but uncertain about how to use these concepts practically in their work

- Those setting up private practice for the first time who want support around this transition 

- More experienced practitioners who feel stuck & looking for a fresh perspective 

In the first session we can explore what your hopes, expectations and requirements for supervision are, explore any past experiences of supervision (what resonated and what didn't), and what you consider to be your current strengths and learning edges going forward.

After a check in with you, I will then invite you to share your work with a particular client, theme or concern to the supervisory space and I will ask you what you would like to focus on, your hopes for the session and ideally what you would like to take from our work on that particular day.

Going forward we will initially review the supervisory arrangements after three months to review and evaluate how the supervision is meeting the needs of the psychotherapist and their clients.