Most people seek treatment because they are experiencing clinical symptoms or life problems. At the outset of therapy, perhaps the most important factor is an atmosphere of safety and calm, where you feel free from judgment. Under those conditions, you and I will collaborate to develop a shared understanding of the origins of your symptoms and problems. We will establish a treatment plan supported by both clinical experience and the available scientific evidence. And we will work together to improve your mental health and your circumstances.
The good news is that most people who seek treatment experience significant improvements. Depending on your situation, symptom reduction is often achieved in weeks to months. Personal growth can take longer, but it is also a rewarding and self-reinforcing process that strengthens resilience, expands maturity, and deepens relationships.
Bryon Cunningham, Psy.D.
in private practice in Los Angeles, CA
Services
Individual therapy
Individual therapy is a place to work on your mental health problems, whether it is anxiety, depression, trauma, or any other mental health issue. Therapy is also place to address your life problems, explore your goals, and challenge yourself to grow as a person. My therapeutic approach integrates psychodynamic, evolutionary, and attachment-based perspectives.
Couples therapy
Couples therapy is a place to resolve arguments and enhance relationship satisfaction. Some couples need help modifying maladaptive cycles of conflict. Others need help recovering trust and deepening intimacy. Couples therapy is an opportunity to help your relationship evolve by improving communication, cooperation, and compassion for one another.
Bryon Cunningham, Psy.D.
I currently work with people with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, substance use disorders, and a variety of other mental health problems. While most people who seek treatment have less severe problems, I have treated many people with more severe psychopathology, including people with psychosis, mania, and suicidality. I have worked with clients from a wide range of cultural and demographic backgrounds, and I am a long-standing ally to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Many of my clients are in academia or the arts, and so it is worth noting that I have spent years working in both. Currently, I am a Visiting Assistant Professor in the psychology department at Occidental College. My credentialing degree is a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, though my online presence sometimes notes that I also have a Ph.D. in philosophy and was formerly part of the philosophy faculty at CSU, Fullerton.
More personally, I have been married for 16 years and have an adolescent son.
CA license PSY36192