Shirley Ikenze, LCSW

Shirley Ikenze is a California licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 26 years of professional experience supporting people through difficult life transitions and emotional challenges. She works with adults and families on issues such as trauma and abuse, grief and loss, stress and anxiety, coping with life changes, parenting and family concerns, ADHD, sleep problems, anger, self-esteem, career questions, and depression. Her practice also addresses concerns tied to adoption and foster care, abandonment, caregiver stress, blended family dynamics, end-of-life issues, and other family of origin difficulties.

Shirley practices from a strengths-based perspective, viewing each person as the expert of their own story and helping them draw on existing resources to move toward greater well-being. She emphasizes collaboration and empowerment - offering guidance, coaching, and practical tools while honoring clients' values and goals. Her approach combines client-centered listening with techniques that fit the needs of the individual.

Shirley also shares that her faith informs her work in a nonpolitical way; she affirms belief in the Almighty whether referred to as God, Allah, Buddha, or other names, and notes she does not promote extremist views. She is licensed in California - CA LCSW 25539 - and brings steady, compassionate support to people seeking meaningful change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shirley integrates client-centered therapy, mindfulness therapy, and motivational interviewing into her online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on active listening and empathy, helping clients explore their own values and solutions while the therapist offers support and validation; it is useful for building self-understanding and working through relationship and life-transition concerns. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and awareness practices that can reduce reactivity and improve coping with stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and grief. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-focused method that helps people resolve ambivalence and find the internal motivation needed to make changes, often used for issues like behavior change, substance concerns, or shifting patterns of coping.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Shirley works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods fit best based on their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps clients feel engaged and invested in their treatment.

Online therapy with Shirley is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access regular support from licensed professionals without travel, while allowing clients to choose the format that feels most practical and effective for them.