- Strengths-based care
- Sex-positive and LGBTQ affirming
- Practical skill-building
About Virginia
Virginia Ballantyne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. She uses a client-centered, strengths-based approach to help people facing relationship problems, trauma, anxiety, depression, and life changes. Her style is warm and nonjudgmental, and she aims to empower people to use their own strengths to make change.
With 12 years of practice, Virginia draws on tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. She adapts techniques to each person’s needs and background rather than applying a single method. Sessions focus on practical skills, clearer thinking, and building healthier patterns of relating.
She offers a sex-positive environment where questions about sexual identity, intimacy, or alternative sexual cultures can be discussed openly. Virginia affirms LGBTQ+ people and supports those navigating gender dysphoria, HIV/AIDS concerns, and kink-affirming conversations without judgment. She also helps people work through issues around addiction, codependency, domestic violence, and family of origin problems.
Her background includes many years working in nonprofit and county services with disadvantaged populations. That experience informs an emphasis on social justice, authenticity, and each person’s right to make their own choices. She helps people develop coping skills for stress, grief, parenting strain, and caregiver burnout.
To begin, Virginia uses a collaborative process: she listens, suggests practical strategies, and helps people consider different perspectives. The aim is steady, manageable change so clients can move toward clearer goals and better daily functioning.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and supporting each person’s own goals. The therapist follows the client’s lead, reflects what’s important, and helps people access their inner strengths to make decisions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. It teaches practical skills to change thinking and try new behaviors, which can reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer interpersonal skills. It can help people manage intense emotions and improve how they relate to others.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Virginia will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, needs, and preferences. She adjusts techniques as progress is made, mixing approaches when helpful.
Session formats are not listed here, so confirm available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can use these formats to focus on skill practice, guided reflection, and behavior change in ways that connect to everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist address?
Virginia helps people with relationship problems, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, stress, grief, parenting challenges, and addictions. She also supports concerns like codependency, sexual identity, and family of origin issues.
What is her therapeutic style?
She practices from a client-centered, strengths-based approach and uses tools from CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. The work focuses on skills, perspective shifts, and practical coping strategies.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 12 years of clinical experience, including work in nonprofit and county services supporting disadvantaged populations.
What credentials and location should I know?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Ask at sign-up which formats are available for scheduling.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.