Kenneth Shigematsu, LCSW

Kenneth Shigematsu is a licensed clinical social worker in California with 35 years of experience. He focuses on practical help for stress, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. He also supports people facing LGBT questions and those coping with life changes.

He centers sessions on the person's own goals and strengths. He treats the client as the expert in their story and helps build on what already works. Sessions are straightforward and aimed at small, useful steps.

Kenneth uses a mix of approaches to match what each person needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools help break unhelpful thought patterns and change behavior. Client-centered ideas keep the conversation focused on the client's perspective and values.

Motivational Interviewing and solution-focused strategies are used to set clear goals and keep momentum. These methods are useful for improving motivation, solving pressing problems, and making concrete plans.

He has long experience helping people handle relationship strain, communication problems, caregiver stress, issues around sex and kink, and questions tied to gender and HIV. He also works with grief, hospice and end-of-life concerns, isolation, codependency, jealousy, and feelings of guilt or shame.

Sessions can be arranged by choosing the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Scheduling is done based on therapist availability and client needs.

Practical approaches and online therapy options

Kenneth commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and improve mood. It is useful for stress, low mood, and repeating worry cycles.

He also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, a style that keeps the conversation on the client's experience. This approach helps people clarify values, feel heard, and make choices that match their goals.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative. Kenneth will work with each person to decide which methods suit their needs and goals, adjusting over time as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls support face-to-face dialogue, phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited, live chat works for shorter check-ins, and text-based messaging lets people keep a conversation going between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to use techniques between meetings.