- Trauma and grief
- Family of origin issues
- Mindfulness and narrative
About Shirley
Shirley Ikenze is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 26 years of experience helping adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and major life changes. She also works with concerns such as parenting strain, sleep problems, ADHD, anger, low self-esteem, career shifts, and depression.
Shirley emphasizes the client's own knowledge of their life story and looks for existing strengths to build on. Sessions focus on clear, practical steps and honest conversation. She draws from client-centered and solution-focused ideas to keep work grounded and usable.
Her approach uses mindfulness to help people notice their reactions and reduce distress in the moment. Narrative techniques are used to separate problems from the person and to rewrite unhelpful storylines that began in childhood or family life. Motivational interviewing supports people who want change but feel stuck or unsure where to begin.
Shirley has spent much of her career in California settings helping adults address family problems and family of origin issues, including abandonment, blended family concerns, adoption and foster care questions, and fatherhood issues. She also supports people facing caregiver stress, serious illness, end-of-life planning, and grief after loss.
Sessions are conversational and goal oriented. Shirley will work with clients to set clear goals and track progress over time. People who want a direct, strengths-based style and practical tools may find this approach helpful.
How Shirley uses therapy approaches online
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting. The therapist follows the client's concerns, helps clarify goals, and supports the person's choices. This approach is useful for people sorting out family roles, parenting questions, and personal priorities.Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention practices to reduce overwhelm and manage anxiety or sleep problems. These skills help people notice reactions and choose calmer responses when old family patterns appear.
Narrative therapy looks at how a person's life story is told and where unhelpful narratives began. Working together, the client and therapist can identify problem stories that come from family of origin experiences and develop alternative ways of understanding those events.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shirley will discuss these methods with clients and decide together which mix fits their goals, preferences, and the pace they want. This collaborative selection is revisited as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified here, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and allow participation without a commute. Therapists and licensed professionals can also adapt exercises for phone or video to match a client's comfort and practical schedule.
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 concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, parenting strain, sleep problems, ADHD, anger, self-esteem, career changes, and related family issues.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is client-centered and practical, focusing on strengths, clear goals, and steps people can take between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 26 years of professional experience working with adults on life changes and family-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what do they cost?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; specific pricing is provided during signup.
How do I begin a first appointment?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule the first session through the platform.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.