Dr. Norja Cunningham, LMFT - Therapist in Connecticut

About Norja

Dr. Norja Cunningham greets people who are worried about relationships, parenting, grief, stress, anxiety, or life changes. She writes plainly and helps clients translate understanding into small, practical steps.

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, she aims to keep sessions focused and clear so progress feels real and doable. Her approach adapts to what a person needs in the moment. She may act like a teacher to explain tools, a coach to set goals, or a traditional therapist to talk through experiences.

Background and approach

The work moves from noticing patterns to trying different behaviors between sessions. Dr. Cunningham draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new routines.

She uses dialectical behavior therapy skills to manage intense emotions and build distress-tolerance strategies. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify values and take action toward what matters to them. Her training includes trauma-informed practices and a focus on mindfulness.

She aims to bring cultural awareness into sessions and respects the variety of people’s life experiences. Clients can expect conversations that are straightforward, practical, and grounded in real-world change. Outside of her clinical work, she enjoys singing, creative writing, playing sports, lifting weights, and traveling.

These activities inform a balanced outlook she brings into therapy.

Therapeutic approaches and online sessions that fit family life

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice painful thoughts and still move toward what matters most. It supports choices based on values rather than getting stuck in worry or avoidance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on practical steps to change unhelpful thinking and behaviors. It often helps with anxiety, mood problems, and day-to-day coping skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication skills that are useful when stress feels overwhelming.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their goals and circumstances. That means trying skills, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together rather than following a fixed program.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy family schedules. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation from home, phone sessions work when video isn't possible, and live chat or text messaging can provide brief check-ins or homework support between sessions. These options prioritize flexibility and access so therapy can match daily life.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns can I bring to sessions?

You can work on relationship struggles, parenting challenges, grief, stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and issues like body image, communication, or isolation. The therapist also addresses trauma-related issues and workplace stress.

What is the general therapy style here?

Sessions are practical and adaptable. The therapist may teach skills, coach toward goals, or hold space for emotional processing depending on what will help most.

How long has this clinician been practicing?

The therapist has 21 years of professional experience working in clinical settings and with people facing a wide range of life and mental health challenges.

What credentials and location are listed?

The clinician is a licensed marriage and family therapist with the Connecticut license CT LMFT 27.001594 and practices from Connecticut.

Are sessions offered in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

Which session formats are available?

Clients may meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging according to what fits their schedule and needs.

How does billing and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Relationship issues
Grief
Self esteem

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 21 years
Licensed: Connecticut
Languages: English

Next step

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