- Client-centered focus
- Practical coping skills
- Faith-aware approach
About Shirley
Shirley Ikenze is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with over two decades of experience. She centers sessions on the person in front of her, believing clients are the experts on their lives. Shirley offers calm, steady support for people facing stress, anxiety, grief, and major life changes.
In the room she listens for strengths and helps people build on what already works. Shirley uses straightforward conversation and practical steps to address trauma and abuse, depression, sleep problems, parenting strain, and ADHD-related challenges. She also helps people facing family conflict, career stress, and issues around abandonment or blended families.
Her background includes long-term clinical practice across community and care settings in California. That experience informs an approach that blends focused goal work with attention to a person's story. Clients can expect an emphasis on coping skills, clearer decision making, and strategies to reduce overwhelm.
Shirley describes her work as faith-affirming while remaining respectful of all beliefs. She names spiritual faith as a personal resource without pushing any particular view. Her style aims to empower people to make changes that fit their values and daily lives.
People interested in adoption and foster care topics can raise those concerns during intake to see how they fit into a longer plan. Shirley encourages straightforward conversation about goals, and she supports practical next steps toward coping and healing.
How Shirley’s Approaches Fit into Online Therapy
Client-centered work means sessions begin with the person's priorities and pace. The therapist listens closely, reflects the client's experience, and helps set goals that feel doable. This approach helps when anxiety, grief, or life changes make decision making hard.Mindfulness methods teach simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve sleep and stress management. Motivational interviewing uses respectful, curiosity-based questions to help people find their own reasons to change and take small steps toward goals.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will collaborate with each person to mix methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That conversation guides whether sessions lean more toward goal-focused work, narrative exploration, or mindfulness practice.
Session format options are not listed here, so confirm current online or in-person options before booking. Many people find online therapy useful because it can fit into a workday, remove travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Others prefer longer sessions for deeper narrative work. Discussing practical needs and scheduling at the start helps shape a plan that fits everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, and life changes. Other areas include parenting strain, sleep problems, ADHD, family issues, and career stress.
What is her approach in sessions?
Sessions follow a client-centered style that emphasizes the person's own goals and strengths. Shirley also uses mindfulness, motivational interviewing, narrative, and solution-focused ideas to shape practical steps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 26 years of professional experience working in clinical roles in California. That background informs a steady, practice-oriented way of working with common life and relationship challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California. Her practice and licensing are based in that state.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats does she offer?
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Please check the platform or contact the service to learn which formats are available.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact rates depend on the chosen plan and scheduling details.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability. That process connects you and sets up the first appointment.