About Dr. Kipenzi M. Herron
My Why
What Continues to Drive My Work
How My Passion Developed
It Started with a Question
Why do some couples grow stronger through life's hardest moments while others feel farther apart, even when they love each other? That question shaped my career. It led me to become a couples therapist, researcher, and educator committed to helping people understand the patterns beneath conflict and build relationships that feel more secure, connected, and intentional.
How I Show Up as a Therapist
What You Can Expect
When we work together, you can expect honesty, curiosity, and accountability. I'll ask hard questions, offer practical tools, and help you make sense of what's happening beneath the conflict. My goal isn't to help you win arguments. It's to help you build a relationship that feels more secure, connected, and intentional.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Extending the Work
My work extends beyond individual sessions because I believe relationship education should be available long before a couple reaches a crisis. Whether I'm conducting research, teaching future therapists, speaking to professional audiences, writing, or hosting conversations through my podcast, my goal is the same: to help people understand the patterns that shape relationships and give them practical ways to create lasting change.
Education & Professional Background
My work is informed by an interdisciplinary background spanning mental health, communication, business, and systems thinking. This foundation allows me to approach relationships, leadership, and personal growth from multiple perspectives while integrating research, clinical expertise, and real-world experience.
PhD in Couple and Family Therapy
Alliant International University
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Alliant International University
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Excelsior College
M.A. in Corporate and Organizational Communication
Fairleigh Dickinson University
B.A. in Public Health
Rutgers University
Professional Affiliations
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (iAMFC)
American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
Therapy Practice
Couples Chat Therapy
Dr. Kipenzi is the founder of Couples Chat Therapy, a specialized relationship therapy practice serving couples, step-couples, consensually non-monogamous partners, and individuals seeking relationship-focused support.
Speaking & Media
Presentations & Talks
2025
2nd Biennial Diversity Graduate Student Conference
The Strong Black Woman Schema: Psychological Burdens and Adaptive Functions
I presented research on how the Strong Black Woman narrative affects mental health. The talk explored both the burdens and the resilience that come with this schema and offered insights for therapists working with Black women in relationships.
2024
3rd Annual CFT Student-Led Conference – Revisioning Family Therapy
Diversity and Ethics: Did You Forget Your "Self" Was in the Room?
Co-presented with A. Rajaei on the importance of therapists acknowledging their own identities and biases. We discussed how self-awareness and ethical reflection are essential for effective, inclusive family therapy.
2023
Creative Convergence: A Creative Community Town Hall
The Creative Economy, Sustainability, and Mental Health
Facilitated a community town hall exploring the intersection of the creative economy, sustainability, and mental health, creating space for dialogue around the challenges affecting San Diego's creative community.
Podcast Host
Somebody Lied When…
Real Conversations. Real Life.
A podcast dedicated to honest, unfiltered conversations about relationships, identity, mental health, and the stories we've been told that don't always hold up in real life. Each episode brings the kind of dialogue that happens when we stop performing and start being real.
launching fall 2026Ready to Begin?
Schedule a complimentary discovery call to explore how Dr. Kipenzi can support your journey toward clarity, connection, and lasting change.
Let's Talk