- Years in practice
- 26
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- California
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Grief
About Shirley
Shirley Ikenze is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 26 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, parenting challenges, and life transitions. Shirley aims to make therapy straightforward and practical for worried parents and caregivers.
Her approach centers on listening first. She uses client-centered methods to help people name their strengths and identify goals. Sessions often include mindfulness practices to reduce overwhelm and motivational interviewing to support small, doable change.
Background and approach
Shirley also draws on narrative and solution-focused methods to help people reframe painful stories and find concrete next steps. For parents this can mean creating new routines, improving sleep strategies, or learning ways to respond to anger and stress without escalating conflict. She has worked in a variety of settings over many years and brings that real-world experience into sessions.
Shirley treats each person as the expert on their life and partners with them to try practical strategies that fit their day-to-day demands. Shirley offers sessions by video, phone, live chat, and text messaging so families can connect in ways that fit their schedules.
She speaks English and practices in California, using methods aimed at helping people cope, grow, and feel more able to manage parenting and life stressors.
What Shirley works with
Everything Shirley lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Shirley helps people with.
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- ADHD
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Blended family issues
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Shirley lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Practical approaches for online parenting support
Shirley uses client-centered therapy to focus sessions around each person's priorities and strengths. This approach means the therapist listens carefully and helps you set goals that feel realistic for your daily life. Mindfulness therapy is used to teach simple breathing and attention practices that reduce stress and improve responses to anger, sleep problems, and anxiety.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Shirley will talk with you about goals, try methods that fit your needs, and adjust strategies based on what helps most. That collaboration aims to keep efforts practical and focused on small, helpful changes for parenting and family stress.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different routines. Video works well for deeper conversations and demonstrating techniques. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit a break at work. Live chat or messaging can be useful for quick check-ins and brief coaching between sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while juggling family schedules and responsibilities.
Questions people ask about Shirley
What kinds of parenting and family concerns does Shirley address?
Shirley helps with parenting stress, family problems, sleep and behavior routines, anger, self-esteem, and life transitions that affect family life.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and practical, using client-centered listening, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, narrative work, and solution-focused techniques to set clear, achievable goals.
What is her professional background and experience?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 26 years of professional experience working with stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, and coping with life changes.
Where does Shirley practice and what credential does she hold?
She practices in California and holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin working with Shirley?
Choose the Start Therapy button, fill out the brief matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.
More therapists for parents in California
All in California
Moushumi Ghose
LMFT
California 23 years in practice
Intimacy and relationship-focused therapy
- LGBT
- Relationship
- Intimacy-related issues
Jeana De Lay
LMFT
California 17 years in practice
Practical therapy and parenting support
- Self esteem
- Career
- Stress, Anxiety
Yanina Lambert
LMFT
California 20 years in practice English, Spanish
Supportive therapist for parenting and relationships
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship
- Trauma and abuse