Shirley Ikenze , LCSW

Shirley Ikenze is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 26 years of professional experience. She offers informed, compassionate support for people navigating trauma and abuse, grief and loss, stress and anxiety, and major life transitions. Her work also spans family and parenting concerns, ADHD, sleep difficulties, career challenges, and issues related to aging, caregiving, and end-of-life situations.

Shirley works from a strengths-based perspective and believes that each person is the expert on their own story. She centers the client’s experience while helping identify practical strategies and personal resources that foster resilience and forward movement. Her approach blends therapeutic listening with coaching techniques to help clients set goals, cope with change, and rebuild a sense of direction when life feels overwhelming.

Shirley acknowledges the role of spiritual belief for some people and states that she believes in the Almighty, whether called God, Allah, Buddha, or another name. She does not politicize her faith and indicates she is not a religious extremist. Her practice is grounded in professional standards and in the principles reflected in 2 Corinthians 1:4 about offering comfort to others. Shirley holds a California license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - CA LCSW 25539.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Shirley uses client-centered therapy to place the person’s own goals and strengths at the center of the work - the therapist follows the client’s lead, offers empathetic reflection, and supports self-directed growth, which can be especially helpful for issues like self-esteem, grief, and relationship concerns.

She also integrates mindfulness therapy, teaching practical exercises that help people notice thoughts and bodily sensations in the present moment; this approach can reduce the intensity of stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances by building awareness and calming routines.

Motivational interviewing is another tool Shirley draws on to help people who feel stuck or ambivalent about change - it focuses on exploring values, strengthening motivation, and setting achievable steps toward goals. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the collaborative process - Shirley will work with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, preferences, and life circumstances.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to attend sessions from home or between responsibilities, and they allow scheduling flexibility so therapy can adapt to work, parenting, or caregiving demands. These formats support continuity of care and make it simpler to maintain momentum during times of change.