She is the author of over twenty books in the field of child mental health, which collectively have been translated into eighteen languages and published in 24 countries.
The book, endorsed by the affective neuroscientist Professor Jaak Panksepp, is the result of ten years research on the long-term effects of adult-child interaction on the developing brain.
Her books which form the "Helping Children with Feelings" series are used as key therapeutic tools by child professionals.
Sunderland is also Chief Executive and Founding Director of the Institute for Arts and Therapy in Education,[2] an Independent Higher Education College and academic partner of University of East London, training child psychotherapists, child counsellors and art therapists.
She is also founder of the 'Helping Where it Hurts' programme which offers free arts therapy to troubled children in Islington Primary schools.