Licensing
New York LCSW: 106595-01
NPI: 1427541234
Professional Experience
Christie A. Cunningham Therapy (since 2022)
Droste Mental Health Services, New York, NY (2020-present)
Social Work Counseling Services, Astoria, NY (2019-present)
APICHA Community Health Services, New York, NY (Internship, 2017-2018)
- Conducted Initial Mental Health Assessments for clients. Primary client demographics included those with an HIV diagnosis and transgender and non-binary individuals
- Engaged clients in individualized therapy sessions
Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services, New York, NY (Internship, 2016-2017)
- Engaged clients experiencing homelessness with intake process
- Facilitated weekly support group focused on self-empowerment for clients
Publications
Chen, E., Boyd, D, and Cunningham, C, “Demarginalizing Stigmatized Identities of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals Through Affirmative Group Therapy” International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 00: 1–27, 2020, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00207284.2020.1755291
Education
Master’s in social work degree from NYU Silver School of Social Work (2018)
- Member of Student Leadership Council
- Member of Phi Alpha National Honor Society
- Presenter for NYU Know Your Rights Project
Juris doctor degree from New York Law School (1999)
Summer study program at Cornell Law School-University de Paris I (Pantheon-Sorbonne) in Paris, France (1997)
Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University (1993)
- Completed honors program
Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Bergen County Community College (1990)
Other Professional And Volunteer Experience
Executive Director/Peer Counselor/Group Facilitator, Identity House (2016-2021)
- Executive Director (2020-2021) – coordinate all activities of Steering Committee, organize and facilitate monthly strategy and planning meetings as well as annual general meetings
- Peer Counselor – use active listening skills to help clients clarify their thoughts and feelings to explore various options or solutions, including referrals to Identity House therapists, short-term counseling, and/or participation in groups
- Co-facilitated peer support groups for transgender and non-binary individuals
- Proposed updates to Walk-in Center forms to correct gender-based language (updates were accepted and implemented)
Writer/Producer, The Perfect Murder, Manhattan Repertory Theatre Fall Development Series (2014)
Producer, Just Like Magic, New York Musical Theatre Festival (2011)
Shift Manager/Box Office Manager, Manhattan TheatreSource (2007-2011)
Honors, Awards and Achievements
- ASWB Social Work License Exam (for LCSW) (October 2022)
- Profiled in 2018 NYU Commencement Program as student representative of the Silver School of Social Work (May 2018)
- New York State Mandated Reporter Training (March 2018)
- ASWB Social Work License Exam (for LMSW) (February 2018)
- Phi Alpha National Honor Society at NYU Silver School of Social Work (2017-2018)
- Student Leadership Council at NYU Silver School of Social Work (2017-2018)
- Overview of Psychiatric Disorders & Medications: DSM-5 (February 2017)
- Homelessness, Mental Illness and Promoting Recovery training session (December 2016)
- AL Best 2.0 (September 2016)
- Graduated cum laude from New York Law School (May 1999)
- Graduated with honors from North Carolina State University (December 1993)
Presentations
“I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now” Alumni Panel
January 24, 2019 at NYU Silver School of Social Work
Joined three alums to discuss our experience as MSW students and in the transition to our careers as social workers with incoming students.
Panelist, Volunteership 101
April 17, 2018 at NYU Silver School of Social Work
Joined NYU Silver student leaders Tasheena Salmon (MSW ’18), Sarah James (MSW ’18), and Joe Hudson (MSW ’18) for a discussion in which we shared our experiences and takeaways on volunteering.
Panelist, NYU Know Your Rights Project
March 20, 2018 at New York University School of Law
The NYU Immigrant Defense Initiative (IDI) and the Office of Global Services (OGS) partnered to create the NYU Know Your Rights Project, providing Know Your Rights presentations on-campus and in the community. The on-campus presentations were in the form of a series and addressed issues that affect students and staff across NYU.
Speaker, Introduction to Gender Identity
February 26, 2018 at NYU Silver School of Social Work
This interactive session strove to help students understand issues of cultural humility around the concept of gender identity, particularly with respect to individuals who identify as transgender, gender non-conforming, and other points on – or off of – the gender spectrum. It included discussions on terminology, the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation, common issues addressed by clients with respect to gender, and more.
Panelist, Volunteerism Panel
January 17, 2018 at NYU Silver School of Social Work
Group Discussion Moderator, “Are Trans Women Real Women?”
October 24, 2017 at Feminist Freethinkers Event
This discussion addressed the complex issue of Transgender Identity. As moderator, I lead a discussion on the history, science, and cultural influences that define womanhood and how Trans Women are seen, portrayed and regarded in that context. We looked at the current state of affairs and explore various attitudes and issues affecting the Trans community. This included the idea that Trans women are not real women, held by a small segment of Radical Feminists.