- Client-centered focus
- Practical goal work
- Mindful approaches
About Shirley
Shirley Ikenze is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California who centers sessions on the client’s own story and strengths. She draws on 26 years of experience to help people facing anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, and life transitions. Shirley emphasizes practical steps that move people toward clearer goals and greater self-respect, including work on self esteem.
Her approach begins by listening closely to what matters to each person. She uses client-centered and solution-focused methods to identify small, doable changes. Motivational interviewing helps when someone feels stuck or unsure how to start.
Mindfulness practices and narrative work are also part of her toolbox. Mindfulness helps people notice patterns of thought and calm their nervous system. Narrative techniques help rewrite painful stories so they feel less defining.
Shirley works with many life challenges such as parenting strain, career questions, sleep problems, and family conflict. She also supports people coping with loss, adoption and foster care issues, aging concerns, cancer and hospice related stress, and caregiver burden.
She frames therapy as a collaborative process where the client leads and the therapist offers guidance and tools. The tone of sessions is respectful and goal-directed, aiming to build resilience and clearer next steps. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.
Her approach begins by listening closely to what matters to each person. She uses client-centered and solution-focused methods to identify small, doable changes. Motivational interviewing helps when someone feels stuck or unsure how to start.
Mindfulness practices and narrative work are also part of her toolbox. Mindfulness helps people notice patterns of thought and calm their nervous system. Narrative techniques help rewrite painful stories so they feel less defining.
Shirley works with many life challenges such as parenting strain, career questions, sleep problems, and family conflict. She also supports people coping with loss, adoption and foster care issues, aging concerns, cancer and hospice related stress, and caregiver burden.
She frames therapy as a collaborative process where the client leads and the therapist offers guidance and tools. The tone of sessions is respectful and goal-directed, aiming to build resilience and clearer next steps. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.