Olivia Cunningham

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Relational Integrative Psychotherapist MA & Adv. Diploma
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on London, EC1V 1LJ
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

We all go through times in life when we struggle, suffer and experience pain; we’re only human, it’s an innate part of our nature.  However, a prolonged sense of struggle and suffering can be detrimental to our wellbeing.

Unfortunately when it comes to our mental and emotional health we’re more likely to dismiss how we feel by using unhealthy coping mechanisms such as over eating, drugs, alcohol, sex, over working or exercise to numb the pain, to enable us to continue to function in our life.

We can use these coping mechanisms as a defence to distance ourselves from our feelings.  Over time, this pattern of behaviour can have a detrimental impact on our overall health and wellbeing causing us to suffer from anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.

As an Integrative Psychotherapist and Counsellor I will work collaboratively with you to find the best approach for you.  My approach is Integrative and relational.  I use my theoretical knowledge and clinical experience to support you until we can get to the heart of the matter. 

I provide a safe, warm, confidential, non-judgemental space for you to reflect on the thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and belief systems that are motivating and affecting your behaviour.

I will listen to your story in a non-judgemental way and help you to identify your habitual pattern of relating both to yourself and other people so that hopefully you can then choose, if you wish, to learn to behave and relate differently, in a way that feels healthier, more nourishing and enhances sustainable emotional intimacy.

My aim is to accompany you on this journey with compassion as you explore, recognise, understand and come to terms with any past hurts and/or traumas you may have experienced and examine how they may be affecting you now.

This awareness can enable you to grieve past losses and process any residual feelings so that you can feel less weighted down emotionally and mentally which will hopefully enable you to make more conscious choices and decisions going forward in your life.

Some people seek support because they are in crisis or have had an incident occur such as a relationship breakdown, bereavement, job loss, or sudden unexplained anxiety or depression.

I also support many people who are not in crisis; who are functioning very well in life and yet they suffer from low confidence and self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression.

Counselling can be an excellent opportunity to explore what might be holding you back or weighting you down so that you can live a more meaningful, authentic, enriching life.

I see a diverse range of people from ethnic and social backgrounds that range from students to professionals of all ages.  I also enjoy working with people who are training to become Psychotherapists and Counsellors themselves.

I have extensive experience working with issues related to bereavement and loss, relationship issues and working with difference, specifically people who feel different or feel like an outsider because of their sexual or cultural identity.

I have experience working in the charity sector with men, women, transgender and individuals who identify as non-binary.

I have a broad range of experience working with individuals who have experienced domestic violence and childhood trauma such as childhood sexual abuse, emotional deprivation and neglect.

I offer both short and longer term counselling currently online only due to the Covid19 pandemic.

Short term counselling can be for up to 6, 12 or 24 weeks and is suitable for some people who come seeking support for a specific issue.

Long term, open ended counselling is more suitable for people with more complex, deep seated issues.

It’s important to remember that therapy is a process and an important investment of your time, money and energy.  Emotional baggage which you’ve spent years carrying around and trying to put behind you can take time to unpack.

The benefit to you of unpacking this emotional baggage is that hopefully you will be able to move forward in your life feeling lighter, less anxious or depressed and with more energy and confidence to live your life purposefully, wholehearted and with fulfilment.

If you would like to arrange an initial meeting or ask any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or phone.

Training, qualifications & experience

I work in private practice seeing clients in person at The Angel, Islington in London and online via Zoom.

Qualifications

MA in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
Diploma in Counselling

I obtained all of the above from The Minster Centre which is one of the leading Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling Training Institutes in Europe.

Experience

I see a diverse range of people from ethnic and social backgrounds that range from students to professionals of all ages.  I also enjoy working with people who are training to become Psychotherapists and Counsellors themselves.

I have extensive experience working with issues related to bereavement and loss, relationship issues and working with difference, specifically people who feel different or feel like an outsider because of their sexual or cultural identity.  I have experience working in the charity sector with men, women, transgender and individuals who identify as non-binary.

I have a broad range of experience working with individuals who have experienced domestic violence and childhood trauma such as childhood sexual abuse, emotional deprivation and neglect.

My clinical experience has allowed me to develop a degree of expertise in working with:

  • Bereavement & Loss
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Relationship Issues
  • Family and Childhood related issues
  • Life transitions
  • Sexual Diversity and identity
  • Difficulties with intimacy and relationships
  • Childhood trauma and attachment issues
  • Emotional, physical, sexual and psychological abuse

Some of my professional interests include:

  • Working to support and empower LGBTQIA+ people
  • Exploration of culture and heritage in relationships
  • Inter-generational Trauma
  • Relational Psychotherapy and the inter-subjective space that is co-created within the therapeutic relationship
  • Attachment, Trauma and Neuroscience

I am committed and passionate about my own personal integration and continuing professional development. I regularly attend supervision and specialised training.  I am a member of the following organisational bodies:-

  • MBACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy)
  • UKCP Accredited & Registered (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy)
  • The Relational School

I am bound and abide by both the UKCP & BACP code of Ethics.

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.

As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.

UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Accredited register membership

UK Council for Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Photos & videos

Fees

£75.00 - £110.00
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Keyworkers
  • check_circle OAPs

Additional information

Individual session range from: £75 - £110 

Some concessionary rates available. 

Sessions last for 50 minutes

Please contact me for a specific appointment

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I currently have availability in person on a Monday at 2pm at my practice in Angel, Islington and online via Zoom on Thursday at 12pm. (please contact me for a specific appointment)

335 City Road, London, EC1V 1LJ

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check info

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Online platforms

Microsoft Teams
Skype
Whatsapp
Zoom