About Shirley
Shirley Ikenze is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who emphasizes a client-centered approach. She focuses on anxiety, stress, trauma, grief, and life changes. Shirley aims to help people find practical ways forward and build on their strengths.
Shirley draws on more than 26 years of experience in California behavioral health. She listens for each person's story and works with what matters most to them. Sessions tend to focus on clear goals and steps that fit a person's daily life.
Background and approach
Her approach blends listening with active techniques. She uses mindfulness to help people notice and calm their thoughts. She also applies motivational interviewing to clarify goals and spark change.
Shirley helps with a wide range of concerns. These include anxiety, depression, parenting stress, sleeping problems, career uncertainty, grief after loss, and the effects of trauma and abuse. She also supports people facing family-of-origin issues, divorce, caregiving strain, and decisions about commitment.
People who work with her can expect straightforward conversation about what is getting in the way and what might help. Therapy often includes small, doable steps between sessions. The aim is steady progress people can see in day-to-day life.
Approach and accessibility in online therapy
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person's own goals and experiences. The therapist listens closely, reflects what she hears, and helps people make choices that fit their lives. This approach is useful for anxiety, low mood, and decisions about relationships and work.Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing skills to reduce reactivity. It helps people notice worries and strong emotions and respond with more calm. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative way to explore a person's reasons for change and build motivation step by step.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and adjust methods based on a person's needs, goals, and preferences. This is a team effort where techniques are tried and changed as needed.
Online sessions use video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is helpful when visual cues matter, while phone can work when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or messaging can fit short check-ins, written reflection, or times when typing feels easier. These options offer flexibility to fit work, caregiving, or busy schedules.
Questions people ask
What concerns does Shirley commonly help with?
What is her general therapy style?
How much experience does she bring?
What credentials and location are listed?
In which languages are sessions offered?
Which session formats are available?
How does payment and cost work?
What are the first steps to begin?
What this therapist works with
Also listed
- Abandonment
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Blended family issues
- Cancer
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coaching
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Family conflicts
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Multicultural concerns
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sleeping disorders
- Stress, Anxiety
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 26 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.