- Attachment-based work
- Cognitive behavioural tools
- Mindfulness practice
About Vivien
Vivien Ridgway is an AASW social worker with 36 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, and a wide range of life changes. Her practice also covers issues such as parenting, gender identity, addictions and self-esteem. Vivien writes plainly and connects practical steps with everyday life concerns.
Vivien focuses on clear conversation and planning. She listens to what matters most and helps people set achievable goals. Sessions often include talking through patterns, arranging small experiments, and learning coping skills that can be used between meetings.
Her background includes long experience in social work settings and leadership coaching. That time has shaped a practice that mixes talking therapies with skills training. Clients can expect an emphasis on relationships, attachment, and how thinking affects behaviour.
Vivien uses approaches like attachment-based work, client-centred methods, cognitive behavioural techniques, dialectical behaviour tools and mindfulness. These approaches are used to address anxiety, grief, parenting strains, compulsive behaviours and adjustment after difficult events.
People who come for help often want straightforward steps and a steady plan. Vivien supports exploration of values, communication habits and coping strategies. To begin, readers are guided to the online therapy options and a short matching questionnaire to arrange a first session.
Approaches used and how online sessions work
Vivien commonly draws on cognitive behavioural therapy and attachment-based work. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and test them with small experiments to change anxious or avoidant behaviour. Attachment-based work focuses on relationship patterns and how early bonds shape current ways of connecting, which can help with relationship strain and intimacy issues.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Vivien will discuss goals, preferences and practical needs and adjust methods as therapy progresses. Clients and she decide together whether to emphasise skills training, relational exploration or mindfulness practice at any stage.
The practical options for online sessions should be confirmed before booking. The profile does not list specific session formats, so readers are advised to check which formats are offered when they choose the See online therapy options button. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time while keeping focus on skills and relationship patterns.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
36+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
Vivien works with stress, anxiety, relationship and trauma-related concerns, plus parenting, addictions, grief and other life changes.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach is conversational and practical, using talking, skills training and small experiments to change patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has 36 years of professional experience as a social worker.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an AASW social worker based in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start a session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.