VM Portrait of Virginia Messina

Virginia Messina, NCPS

Compassionate, direct therapy for anxiety and relationships

3 years in practice · based in United Kingdom · sessions in English, Italian · online sessions

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About Virginia

Virginia Messina offers a straightforward, down-to-earth counselling style for adults who are anxious or struggling with difficult relationships and life changes. She creates a warm, non-judgemental space where people can speak plainly about grief, stress, anxiety and the impact of past trauma. Her tone can be direct and sometimes wry, and she welcomes creative expression like art or poetry in sessions.

Virginia trained at the University of Central Lancashire and holds an NCPS credential.

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Background and approach

She has three years of clinical experience, including work in a domestic violence centre supporting people affected by relational trauma and abuse. That background informs how she notices patterns of attachment, codependency and communication problems. In session she draws on client-centred principles and mindfulness to help people notice their habitual reactions and make different choices.

Narrative ideas are used to help people reframe painful stories about themselves and their relationships. Trauma-focused work is applied when processing past harm becomes necessary. She aims to build a mature, respectful therapeutic relationship where responsibility is shared.

This means practical conversations about what helps, clear boundaries and honest feedback rather than quick fixes. Swearing and humour are acceptable if they suit the person in front of her. Italian speakers should note she prefers the formal Lei when speaking in Italian.

Virginia works from the United Kingdom and offers sessions in English and Italian for people who wish to use those languages.

Practical therapy approaches you can use online

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening, empathy and collaborating with the person in front of the therapist. It helps when someone needs a steady, accepting presence to explore feelings and make clearer choices about relationships and life direction.

Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention practices and grounding methods to reduce reactivity and manage anxiety and stress. These are skills people can practise between sessions to notice triggers and respond differently.

Narrative therapy looks at the stories people tell about themselves and their relationships and helps rewrite those stories in less harmful ways. It can be useful for grief, shame and longstanding patterns like codependency.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods suit their goals, needs and preferences. That process is shared and reviewed so the direction of therapy can change as issues evolve.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. Video is good for deeper conversations and non-verbal cues, phone sessions work well if bandwidth is limited, live chat allows shorter check-ins and text messaging supports ongoing reflection between meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and everyday life while keeping continuity of care with registered or accredited professionals.
Book with Virginia Now Review online therapy options and next steps.

Questions people ask

What kinds of problems does she help with?
She supports people with anxiety, stress, grief, relationship difficulties and the aftereffects of trauma and abuse. Additional focus areas include attachment, codependency, shame and multicultural concerns.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is present and engaged, often direct and occasionally provocative when helpful. She blends a person-centred stance with mindfulness, narrative techniques and trauma-focused work.
How much experience does she have?
She has three years of clinical experience, including work in a domestic violence centre supporting people affected by relational trauma and abuse.
Where is she based and what are her credentials?
She practises from the United Kingdom and holds an NCPS credential. She trained with a Foundation Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Central Lancashire.
Can I work with her if I speak another language?
Sessions are offered in English and Italian. For Italian speakers she prefers the formal Lei to maintain a respectful therapeutic frame.
Which session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging as ways to meet. These options let people choose what fits their schedule and needs.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a time according to her availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
3 years
Licensed
Languages
English, Italian

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