- Client-Centered Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
About Shirley
Shirley Ikenze is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 26 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and life transitions. Shirley also supports concerns such as ADHD, parenting, sleep problems, career stress, low self-esteem, and anger.
Shirley emphasizes that each person knows their own story and brings strengths to the work. She focuses on practical steps clients can use day to day. Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented, with attention to what is most pressing in someone’s life.
Her background includes long-term clinical practice in community and counseling settings in California. Over more than two decades she has helped people manage parenting strain, caregiving stress, relationship shifts, and end-of-life issues. Her work has included grief related to illness and hospice situations.
Clinically she draws on client-centered methods and solution-focused techniques to set clear goals. She also uses mindfulness strategies to build awareness of thoughts and feelings. Motivational interviewing and narrative approaches help people examine patterns and decide next steps.
Shirley is comfortable addressing complex family-of-origin issues, abandonment and adoption-related concerns, blended family dynamics, and divorce or separation. She also provides coaching-style support for career and practical life changes. Sessions are conducted in English and reflect her faith perspective when clients request that context.
For people worried about anger or frustration, Shirley offers a pragmatic way to identify triggers and practice different responses. She encourages small, achievable changes that reduce heated moments and improve everyday interactions.
How Shirley’s approaches translate to online work
Shirley blends client-centered therapy with solution-focused and mindfulness methods. Client-centered therapy means sessions focus on the client’s experience and goals, with the therapist listening and reflecting to help clarify choices. Solution-focused work breaks problems into manageable steps and identifies small changes that can make everyday life easier. Mindfulness techniques teach simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and notice anger or stress earlier. Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Shirley will help assess what matters most, set short-term goals, and adjust methods as needs and preferences become clearer. That collaborative decision-making helps keep sessions practical and focused on real-life results rather than abstract theory. Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings around work, caregiving, or travel. They can also allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, or let someone avoid camera use if that helps them engage. Licensed professionals often find that the convenience of remote meetings supports regular practice of strategies learned in therapy.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, life changes, anger, parenting, sleep issues, ADHD, depression, and related family concerns.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her approach is practical and person-focused. She uses client-centered conversations, solution-focused planning, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to set goals and try new behaviors.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 26 years of professional experience working in clinical and counseling environments in California.
Is she a licensed clinician and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment or cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start working with her?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.