- Strengths-based care
- LGBTQ+ affirming
- Trauma informed
About Virginia
Virginia Ballantyne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who uses a client-centered approach to help people move toward better mental health. She emphasizes strengths and respects each person's experience while working on issues like anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. Virginia also supports people facing addiction, trauma, relationship strain, and the challenges around parenting and family concerns.
She blends several therapy styles to match the person in front of her. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are among the practical tools she uses to teach coping skills and manage intense emotions. Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy help people clarify goals and reframe difficult life stories.
Virginia offers a sex-positive, nonjudgmental space where questions about sexual identity, intimacy, and gender can be discussed openly. She identifies as an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist and names allyship with sexual and gender minorities as part of her practice. She also notes experience with issues like adoption and foster care, BDSM and kink, caregiving stress, and concerns related to HIV/AIDS.
With twelve years of experience, she has worked in nonprofit and county settings with disadvantaged populations. Her approach emphasizes social justice, authenticity, and each person's right to make their own choices. Sessions focus on practical steps, perspective shifts, and building skills to handle life changes and relationship problems.
People interested in working on career stress, family of origin issues, codependency, or trauma-related concerns can expect collaborative goal-setting and straightforward skill building. Virginia invites prospective clients to start by connecting and sharing what matters most to them.
How therapeutic approaches work online with a client-centered focus
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and meeting each person where they are. The therapist follows the client's lead and helps them tap into their own strengths to make changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and building concrete skills to reduce anxiety and depression. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds tools for managing intense emotions and improving coping when stress is high.Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.
The practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into a busy life and keeping therapy consistent through transitions. Because session formats were not specified in the biography, confirm the current session options before booking. Virginia’s stated work history includes phone, video, and live chat in other settings, so checking which of these are available now can help plan around work, childcare, or travel. Online sessions can make it easier to keep regular appointments and practice skills between meetings.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
Virginia works with people facing anxiety, depression, grief, stress, and relationship problems. She also addresses trauma, addiction concerns, parenting strain, and questions about sexual identity and intimacy.
What is her general therapy style?
She practices from a client-centered, strengths-based stance and mixes practical methods like CBT and DBT with narrative and motivational techniques. The focus is on teamwork, skill building, and finding what fits each person.
How much experience does she have?
She has twelve years of clinical experience, including work in nonprofit organizations and county services with disadvantaged populations.
Where is she based and what are her credentials?
She is based in California and holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, LCSW.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions arranged and what do they cost?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.