- Client-centred approach
- CBT for thinking patterns
- BACP accreditation
About Virginia
Virginia Bowley is a counsellor with 24 years of experience. She trained originally as a nurse and spent many years working as a rehabilitation case manager for people who had sustained catastrophic injuries. She later worked with Cruse bereavement care for six years and has practised in both private settings and a further education college.
She is accredited with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and follows their code of ethics. She also completed training in online counselling and attends monthly supervision to reflect on her work.
Her day-to-day approach is straightforward and conversational. She uses client-centred methods to listen and respond to what matters most to the person in front of her. She also uses cognitive behavioural therapy to help people spot patterns of thinking and try out different ways of coping.
Virginia helps people tackle stress, anxiety, depression and grief, and she supports those facing big life changes. She also works with issues such as relationship difficulties, addiction, anger, low self-esteem and career concerns.
Additional areas she addresses include adoption and foster care matters, ageing and geriatric issues, attachment and communication difficulties, chronic pain and illness, bereavement and end-of-life themes, and isolation or loneliness. Her background in nursing and rehabilitation informs a practical understanding of long-term loss and recovery.
Outside work she enjoys swimming, walking, cycling and reading, activities that help her stay grounded and present for her clients.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Client-Centred Therapy puts the person's experience at the centre of sessions. The counsellor listens closely, reflects what is said, and follows the client’s lead to build trust and clarity. This approach helps when someone needs space to make sense of grief, loss or relationship stress.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviours. It uses practical exercises and simple experiments to change patterns that feed anxiety, depression or low self-esteem. CBT is useful for tackling specific problems and tracking progress between sessions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The counsellor will discuss goals and try methods that match the person's needs and preferences. They will check in and adjust the way they work as understanding grows.
The therapist's biography records training in online counselling, but it does not list specific session formats here. Please confirm which session types are available before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy day, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins where helpful. They also let people use audio-only options when video is difficult or choose times that suit work and family commitments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Credentials
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression and grief, and supports people through major life changes. Other areas include relationship issues, addiction, anger, self-esteem and career matters.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is conversational and practical, using client-centred listening alongside cognitive behavioural techniques to identify thinking patterns and try new coping strategies.
How long has she practised?
She has 24 years of clinical experience, including roles in bereavement support, private practice and further education.
What professional credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She is accredited with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and works from the United Kingdom.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and she is able to work with clients internationally.
What session formats are available?
The original biography notes training in online counselling; please confirm current session formats with the service before booking to see which options are offered.
How does payment work?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.