Therapist Dr. Cynthia Curnan Photo

Dr. Cynthia Curnan, LMFT

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Trauma, Abuse Grief Intimacy
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

About Dr Cynthia

Before I went to school to become a psychotherapist, I was a teacher of Inner Guidance. I also taught the curriculum to become a teacher of Inner Guidance.
We all have powerful internal senses that we tend to neglect: intuition, insight, instinct, imagination and deeper intelligence that grows sharper the more we use it.

Too often, our personal growth becomes confined at the surface of ourselves by the effects of childhood trauma and how we’re raised. Sometimes we don’t know there is so much more to us.

Once we develop accurate self-knowledge and learn what part
of us is doing our thinking and making our decisions, then self mastery is within reach.

I help people unravel their personal predicaments and develop self mastery. Once we become more greatly empowered - we are equipped to know what we want in life and how to manifest it.

I received my CA license (lmft2980) in 1992, received my PhD in psychology in 1996. I wrote/published a book, “The Care and Feeding of Perfectionists “, 1998.
Often we spot perfectionism in others but cannot recognize it ourselves. Many of us believe the Perfectionist is the best part of us, when really, it prevents us from liking ourselves. Each of us have at least 2 types of perfectionism (9 types in my book). If not neutralized, it blocks our growth by convincing us that we are not good enough. I help people replace perfectionism with a free internal Gift. The inner drive toward Excellence- which springs from the Self - is a beautiful world away from the pain of perfectionism- which is a push from a wounded ego.
Once we connect to our Inner Self, we see ourselves and our world as
it really is. Then life, healing and accomplishments can become wondrous easy.

Methods I use besides talk therapy:

Identifying and healing trauma
Conscious breathing
Dream analysis
Focused meditation
Inner Guidance
Inner Child work
The necessity for humor.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprogramming.)
FLASH (offshoot of EMDR)
Interactive hypnotherapy
Developing self knowledge
Dismantling perfectionism
Becoming present and living in the moment
Accepting personal power
Goal setting
Couples Counseling

Professional experience

32 yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Trauma, Abuse Grief Intimacy

Additional areas of focus: Abandonment, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Hoarding, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues

Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method, Hypnotherapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

CA LMFT 29820

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Cynthia Curnan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Dr. Curnan is amazing. She is so knowledgeable and so understanding. I'm so grateful to have met her and have her to help me navigate my challenges. I think a lot about how just one hour with her, once a week has such a profound effect in my life. I'm so excited for the future thanks to her. A literal angel!

Written on Feb 26, 2026 after therapy with Cynthia for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and self esteem

Dr. Curnan is a caring and dedicated professional. She understood my needs right away and was able to provide me with tools to deal with my situation. As a result, I am feeling more confident in a short amount of time. I highly recommend her!

Written on Feb 19, 2026 after therapy with Cynthia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes

Professional listened and very interactive

Written on Dec 06, 2025 after therapy with Cynthia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and coping with life changes

Finally found a therapist who helps me be better

Written on Nov 04, 2025 after therapy with Cynthia for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and adhd

Dr Curran is a great listener. Thoughtful and kind.

Written on Oct 10, 2025 after therapy with Cynthia for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, parenting issues, and coping with life changes

I appreciate her willingness to listen and ask questions and provide feedback. Her honesty n fairness w feedback really hits home with me.

Written on Oct 09, 2025 after therapy with Cynthia for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes