Black Couples Therapists & Black Psychologists

Some stories carry history in their bones.
Some relationships are shaped by forces outside the home.
Some couples want help from someone who sees the full picture—without needing the whole backstory.

Find a science-trained couples therapist who sees the whole of you.

Step into a private, healing space where trust can deepen, friendship can rekindle, and intimacy can be renewed.

Our intensive format lets you slow down and focus on what matters—without the usual noise of daily life.

These retreats are led by fully licensed, doctoral-level Black psychologists and marriage and family therapists in four locations:

Southern California, the Washington DC area, Bethesda, Maryland, Atlanta, Georgia and Brooklyn, New York.

All of our therapists have advanced training from some of the top institutes in the country.

All have a wide range of experience with all types of couples.

We sit with the full story—even the parts you haven’t spoken yet.

Not just listening—witnessing.
Not just seeing—understanding.
Not just treating conflict—honoring complexity.

Dr. E. Nathaniel Chapman
Clinical Psychologist – Southern California

“I consider psychology to be the study of the soul. I use that knowledge to educate, encourage, and empower people to live their highest good.”

Explore Working With Dr. Chapman ->

Portrait of Dr.Alexis Johnson Nelson

Dr. Alexis Nelson Johnson
Fayetteville, Georgia

“Healthy, stable partnerships are the foundation of strong families and communities. Let’s do the work to build the relationship you deserve.”

Explore Working With Dr. Nelson Johnson ->


Dr. Jessica Jones
Arlington, VA

“I enjoy working with people who are curious—about themselves and each other. Curiosity is the foundation for growth and transformation.”

Explore Working With Dr. Jones ->

Dr. Nancy Garcia-Ruffin
Clinical Psychologist –
Brooklyn, NY & Bethesda, MD

“Therapy should be a space where you don’t have to explain your context—only your experience. I help couples navigate change with honesty, compassion, and clarity.”

Explore Working With Dr. Garcia-Ruffin ->

Why a Retreat?


Because insight without structure doesn’t stick.

In a standard therapy hour, you barely get started before the clock runs out.

A retreat gives you room to pause, reflect, speak fully—and be heard.

These aren’t drawn-out sessions. They’re intentional, intensive work with a skilled therapist who can help you cut through the noise and finally get to what matters.

Connection isn’t a mystery.

It’s a skill.


More time = deeper work.
More focus = faster insight.
More privacy = fewer defenses.

This isn’t therapy as usual. It’s a reset.

One designed for couples who are ready to stop spiraling—and start rebuilding.


The Relationship Inside the Life You Built

In the lives you’ve built—marked by achievement, resilience, and grace—there may still be unspoken stories and unmet needs.

Our therapists provide a space where your full experience is acknowledged and honored, allowing for deeper connection and healing.

Behind every successful life is a private world of choices, trade-offs, and longing.

We help you care for that world—the relationship inside the life you’ve built. Even strong relationships can fray in quiet places.

We help you find the thread again—not by unraveling what you’ve built, but by strengthening what still holds.

A luxurious living room showcasing elegant interior design and sunlight streaming through large windows.

Is an Intensive Retreat Right for You?

Our retreats are designed for couples who are:

  • Facing infidelity, separation, or crisis
  • Stuck in patterns traditional therapy hasn’t shifted
  • Navigating long-distance or high-demand lives with limited time together
  • Preparing for marriage with depth, clarity, and intention
  • Hoping to strengthen an already solid bond

If you’re coping with untreated mental illness, active addiction, or domestic violence, those concerns deserve specialized care—and we’re happy to refer you to professionals who can help.

We are not a fit for every couple.

Healing takes courage. We work best with couples ready to show up with heart, honesty, and effort.

What you avoid becomes what you carry.

Let’s stop carrying it alone.

After the Retreat


This isn’t a “one and done” solution. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.
We’ll support you beyond the intensive with:

  • Online follow-up sessions
  • Continued therapy (if desired)
  • Seasonal or annual “reset” intensives

How is all of this done?


We’ll walk with you.

We’ve mapped the path—step by step, human to human.
No guessing. No “choose from a list of strangers.”
Just a clear, guided process that starts with listening—really listening—and ends with a match that actually fits.

Just a conversation that starts with listening—really listening—and leads to a therapist who truly fits.
We’ll walk you through what to expect, how we personalize the experience, and what it’s like to work with someone who actually gets it.

Let’s Begin


You’ve done hard things before.

This one, you don’t have to do alone.