Licensed clinical social worker recordCalifornia
Shirley Ikenze, LCSW
California
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Stress and Trauma
Continue with ShirleyCredentials check
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in California
- LCSW, licence 25539
- NPI
- 1730334525
- Experience
- 26 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- California
These details come from information Shirley supplied to BetterHelp. A licence can be checked with the social work board of the state that issued it, and an NPI with the national registry.
AAbout
- Client-centered approach
- Mindfulness practice
- Goal-focused planning
About Shirley
Shirley Ikenze is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California with 26 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and big life changes. Shirley also supports concerns like parenting, sleep problems, career issues, ADHD, anger, and low self-esteem.
Her approach centers on listening and helping people use their own strengths. She practices client-centered work, which means she follows each person's priorities and pace. She uses mindfulness and narrative techniques to help people notice patterns, manage intense feelings, and reshape unhelpful stories about themselves.
Shirley also uses motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies to help people set clear goals and take steps that fit their life. Those methods are practical and action-oriented, so sessions often include small experiments or focused planning between meetings.
Her background includes long-term clinical experience in California settings. That experience informs how she helps with grief, caregiver stress, family-of-origin issues, and end-of-life concerns. She names a broad set of additional focus areas, including adoption and foster care, abandonment, blended family issues, cancer, and hospice and end-of-life counseling.
Shirley is open about her personal faith and notes it is not politicized in her work. Sessions are conducted in English. Before booking, confirm current session formats and logistical details through the booking process.
BHow sessions work
How Shirley uses therapy approaches in online sessions
Shirley draws on client-centered therapy to center each session on what matters most to the person. That means she listens for priorities and adjusts pacing and topics to fit individual goals. This approach suits people who want to organize their own thoughts and make sense of their experience.She also uses mindfulness techniques to help with stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and emotional overwhelm. Mindfulness work in sessions can include brief grounding exercises and attention training to reduce reactivity. Motivational interviewing is used to support change when someone feels stuck; it focuses on clarifying values and probing small, realistic steps toward a goal.
Deciding on an approach is collaborative. Shirley will discuss options during early meetings and tailor the mix of methods to the client's concerns, goals, and preferences. She often combines listening-based work with practical planning so sessions feel focused and useful.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into busy days, shorten travel time, and allow check-ins that work around work or caregiving schedules. If you prefer particular logistical arrangements, note them in the matching questionnaire so they can be discussed when scheduling.
CAreas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
DQuestions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she work with?
She helps people with trauma and abuse, grief, stress, anxiety, depression, parenting and sleep problems, ADHD, career concerns, anger, and self-esteem.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and practical. She uses mindfulness, narrative work, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused methods to support coping and goal-setting.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 26 years of professional experience working in California clinical settings.
Is she a licensed clinician and where is she licensed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California, listed as CA LCSW.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Confirm pricing details during the booking steps.
What do I need to do to start working together?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session through the site.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988. More crisis numbers