Virginia Bowley

Virginia Bowley is an experienced counsellor with a long history of helping people through loss and major life changes. She is a BACP counsellor and has practised in private and community settings since 2001. Her background includes nursing and many years as a rehabilitation case manager supporting people after catastrophic injuries.

She spent six years with Cruse bereavement care and has worked in further education and private practice. That mix means she is used to short-term and longer-term conversations. She meets people who are grieving, facing illness, or coping with big practical changes in their lives.

In sessions she aims to listen first and make space for what matters most. She uses Client-Centred Therapy to prioritise each person’s perspective and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help spot patterns of thinking that increase distress. She explains ideas in straightforward language and discusses small steps to try between meetings.

Her work has involved rehabilitation, loss, caregiving strain and adjustment after major injuries. She also supports people with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, addiction issues and feelings of isolation. She brings practical experience from health and social care into talking and planning.

Virginia attends monthly supervision and follows the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists code of ethics. She enjoys swimming, walking, cycling and reading, and aims to make appointments feel calm and focused.

How her approaches translate to online counselling

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person's experience. The counsellor offers attentive listening, reflects what is said and follows the client's priorities, which can help with grief, adjustment and relationship worries. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions and includes exercises to try between sessions, which can be useful for anxiety, low mood and coping with change.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The counsellor will talk with the client about goals and preferences and suggest ways of working that fit their situation. Together they can blend listening-led work and practical CBT tools to suit the person’s needs.

The profile mentions completed training in online counselling but does not list exact formats, so please confirm available session types before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit conversations into a busy week, avoid travel time and keep momentum between appointments. It can also allow shorter check-ins when needed and let people use audio-only options if that feels better for them.