- CBT and DBT methods
- Sex positive ally
- 12 years experience
About Virginia
Virginia Ballantyne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 12 years of experience. She works with adults on relationship struggles, anxiety, depression, parenting strain, addiction concerns, grief, and stress related to life changes. She also supports people dealing with issues tied to sexual identity and intimacy and those navigating family of origin problems.
Virginia uses a client-centered, strengths-based approach. Sessions focus on listening, clarifying goals, and building practical skills. She emphasizes straightforward strategies that people can apply between meetings, such as coping tools for anxiety or communication techniques for tense relationships.
Her clinical work draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. These methods are used to help people change unhelpful thinking, manage intense emotions, and tell their stories in ways that feel more useful. Virginia adapts methods to match each person's needs rather than following a single formula.
She offers a sex-positive environment for conversations about sexual desires, kink, and identity, and identifies as LGBTQ+ affirming. Her background includes work in nonprofit and county services, where she supported disadvantaged populations and focused on practical problem solving.
In sessions she aims to help people notice patterns from their upbringing, set clearer boundaries, and develop skills to handle stress and relationships. Prospective clients who live in California should confirm current session options before booking and follow the site's process to begin.
How her approaches work in online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on active listening and helping people name their goals. In online sessions this means time is spent reflecting what matters most and choosing practical next steps to try. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves noticing thoughts and testing them against evidence to reduce distress; online meetings can include short exercises and worksheets to practice between sessions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation and distress-tolerance skills that can be rehearsed in-session and then used in real moments of stress.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist and client will look at goals, preferred ways of working, and what feels most useful. Choices can change over time as needs shift, so methods are selected together rather than fixed from the start.
The original biography indicates clients in California should confirm current session options before booking. Please check which session formats are offered at the time you schedule. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving, or travel, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and remove commute time so people can use a break more easily.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, addiction concerns, grief, parenting stress, and family of origin issues among other topics.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a client-centered, strengths-based approach focused on listening, skill-building, and practical strategies tailored to each person.
How much experience does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience working in nonprofit and county services and in private practice in California.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time; sessions are provided to people residing in California.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the site's See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.