Virginia Ballantyne, LCSW

Virginia Ballantyne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 12 years of experience. She works with people facing relationship strain, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, grief, and anger. Sessions address practical problems such as stress at home or work, addictive behaviors, and life changes that feel overwhelming.

Her approach centers on client-centered care and building on each person’s strengths. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to help people notice patterns of thinking and respond differently to strong feelings. Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy are also part of her toolkit for making change clearer and more doable.

Virginia offers a direct, nonjudgmental style. She talks through concrete strategies for managing anger, improving communication, and reducing reactivity. She also supports conversations about sexual identity, intimacy, and kink without judgment, and identifies as LGBTQ+ affirming.

Her background includes many years in nonprofit and county services where she worked with disadvantaged populations and survivors of intimate partner violence. That experience informs how she handles issues like family of origin problems, caregiver stress, and domestic violence concerns.

In sessions she helps people consider different perspectives, practice new coping skills, and set realistic steps toward calmer responses. The work is collaborative and focused on what someone can do day to day to reduce conflict, manage stress, and move forward.

How her approaches translate to online work