About Mandy Cunnington

Mandy is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 15 years of experience in the field of mental health. She is a registered member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario and holds a diploma in counselling from the Vancouver College of Counsellor Training.

Mandy was born and raised in Guelph and traveled to Vancouver, BC to complete specialized training in counselling. Mandy helped develop the Guelph Crisis Line in its early days and went on to provide support to people in distress for six years. She’s helped people struggling with sexual abuse, addictions, depression, anxiety, suicide, victims of crime, homelessness, trauma, and loss. Mandy’s work as an addictions counsellor at the Phoenix Society in Vancouver has also prepared her to deal with the realities and impacts of addiction on individuals and their families.

Mandy has a special interest in supporting individuals struggling with grief and loss. In particular, she’s  known for her experience in helping people through such unacknowledged losses as pet loss. She helped develop some of the first pet loss support groups in Vancouver and collaborated with veterinarians in the area to help their clients cope with the pain and grief of losing their animal companions. Mandy also specializes in working closely with survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She’s helped many people through the shame, anger, sadness and guilt that survivors often struggle with years after the abuse.

Mandy also knows first-hand the reality of loss and abuse. She’s faced the difficult journey of supporting a parent through a terminal cancer diagnosis. As a passionate animal lover, she’s cared for a number of pets over her lifetime and dealt with the grief and loss that is part of loving them. Mandy is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and understands the courage it takes to start healing from the past.

Mandy draws from a variety of therapeutic approaches including: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. She has specialized training in Gestalt Therapy and Existential Analysis.

Clients describe Mandy as incredibly compassionate, attuned, and welcoming. With her advanced training in Existential Analysis, she helps clients face the challenges in their lives head on and discover new ways of overcoming them. In working with Mandy, you’ll get to the root of your issues instead of just sticking to the surface.

Mandy is currently the devoted parent of a 9-year-old dachshund named Zeus who delights in warming his belly near fireplaces and chewing pillows of any kinds. When Mandy isn’t in the office, you’ll find her scrap-booking and being tirelessly silly with her nieces and nephews!