Profile / United States
Virginia Ballantyne, LCSW
California
LCSW - Relationships and Trauma
See online therapy options- CBT focused
- DBT skills
- LGBTQ affirming
About Virginia
Virginia Ballantyne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 12 years of experience working with adults in California. She focuses on relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, addictions, and the stresses of life change. Virginia identifies as a bi-racial woman and uses she/her pronouns. She is LGBTQ+ affirming and discusses sexual identity and intimacy without judgment.
Virginia blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with client-centered and dialectical approaches. She helps people notice thoughts and habits that keep problems going, then tries practical steps to change them. Sessions emphasize concrete skills for managing mood, stress, and cravings. She also uses motivational interviewing and narrative ideas to help people name their goals and rethink difficult experiences.
Her experience includes work in non-profit and county services, where she supported disadvantaged communities and people affected by substance use and mental illness in their families. She has worked with survivors of intimate partner violence and people with PTSD. That background informs a straightforward, skills-based style in sessions.
In therapy she asks questions, offers exercises, and practices new ways of responding together. Clients can expect clear options and short-term strategies alongside longer conversations about life patterns. She encourages people to try specific techniques between sessions and track what helps.
To begin, prospective clients complete an online matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Costs vary by location and use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Virginia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thought patterns and try specific behavior changes; this approach is practical and suits issues like anxiety, depression, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, non-judgmental conversation where the client’s priorities guide the work; it supports exploring identity, values, and relationship concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on teaching concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with anger, relationship conflict, and managing intense emotions.Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will discuss goals and preferences with each person and recommend which methods to try first. That plan is revised based on what helps, so the client and therapist decide together which skills and exercises to focus on.
The practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy into a busy week and reducing travel time. Because formats listed in the original biography are phone, video, and live chat, confirm current session options when you book. Online work makes it easier to use short check-ins, practice skills between sessions, and keep therapy connected to everyday life.
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 most often address?
She works with relationship problems, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, parenting stress, and related areas listed in her profile.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
CBT is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and to try different behaviors. Sessions include practical exercises and between-session practice.
What kind of background does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience, including roles in non-profit and county services supporting disadvantaged populations.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California and she practices with clients who reside in California.
In what language are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients; she works with people who reside in California.
How are sessions scheduled and what formats are used?
To start, select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. Confirm current session formats before booking.
How does payment work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.