Meet Risper Wangari

We recently connected with Risper Wangari and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Risper, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Moving from Kenya to the U.S. was a major transition—everything was different. People didn’t look like me, spoke differently, drove on the “wrong” side of the road, and even something as simple as grocery shopping felt overwhelming with too many choices. It was a stark contrast to the familiarity of home, and my already struggling sense of self took a significant hit as I navigated life as an immigrant.

I originally came to the U.S. to pursue an MBA in International Management, and along the way, I was fortunate to find friends and mentors who took me under their wing. But the biggest shift in my journey happened when I finally went to therapy—not just as a passing experience, but for real. Therapy transformed my inner world, my sense of self, and helped me make meaning of my trauma, anxiety, and depression. Through that process, my faith and trust in God were also reshaped, becoming an unshakable anchor.

That transformative experience planted a seed in me—a calling to offer the same healing and growth to others. It led me to take one of the biggest risks of my life: leaving a stable management consulting career, relocating, going back to school, and ultimately launching my own practice, The Love Seat Counseling & Life Coaching. Now, I have the privilege of walking alongside couples and individuals navigating trauma, helping them heal and rebuild.

Being the only one in the room—whether in corporate spaces, academic settings, or now as a business owner—has taught me resilience. I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness, find strength in my lived experiences, and use them to bridge gaps. I’ve also learned the power of community, mentorship, and stepping into spaces with the confidence that my voice, my background, and my perspective are valuable.

Success, to me, is no longer about fitting in—it’s about showing up fully as myself, creating impact, and making room for others who might feel like they don’t belong.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT), and the founder of The Love Seat Counseling & Life Coaching. My journey into this work is deeply personal—I know firsthand how transformative therapy can be, and it is an honor to now offer that same healing to others. I hold a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and have advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method, two of the most effective approaches for relationship and trauma healing.

At The Love Seat Counseling & Life Coaching, we specialize in working with couples and individuals healing from complex trauma and distressed relationships. Relationships are the heart of human connection, yet so many people feel stuck in painful cycles of disconnection, miscommunication, infidelity, and broken trust. My passion is helping people rewrite their love stories—to heal, reconnect, and build the deep, meaningful relationships they long for.

One of the most exciting aspects of our practice is that we offer therapy in both traditional weekly sessions and 3-Day Private Counseling Intensives. Our intensives are a powerful, immersive experience designed for couples who are experiencing significant relationship distress and want to create lasting change quickly. In just a few days, we help couples break negative patterns, heal past wounds, and rebuild their connection—work that would typically take months in standard therapy sessions.

Beyond therapy, I am also passionate about mentorship, community, and empowering other clinicians. Bringing together a team of talented therapists who can learn from each other and provide the highest quality of care to our clients is one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. Healing isn’t just about individuals—it’s about transforming families, communities, and even generational legacies.

If you’re ready to heal, reconnect, or strengthen your relationships, we would love to walk this journey with you. Let’s create the love story you’ve always longed for. 💛

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey—from immigrating to the U.S. for an MBA, navigating personal struggles, experiencing the transformative power of therapy, and ultimately founding The Love Seat Counseling & Life Coaching—there are three key qualities that have been most impactful:

1. Resilience, Adaptability & Faith
Moving to a new country, leaving behind all that was familiar, and building a new life came with its fair share of challenges. From cultural adjustments to professional shifts, I had to learn how to adapt, pivot, and keep going despite setbacks. But what carried me through was not just resilience—it was my faith in God. In moments of uncertainty, when my sense of self felt shaken, my faith became my anchor, reminding me that even in the unknown, I was never alone.

💡 Advice: Life will take you into unfamiliar territory, but trust that every challenge has a purpose. Hold onto faith, whether through prayer, community, or personal reflection, and know that you are being guided, even when the path isn’t clear.

2. Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness
The biggest shift in my journey happened when I fully embraced therapy and healing. Understanding my own trauma, emotions, and relational patterns gave me the tools to not only heal myself but also guide others through their own healing. Emotional intelligence—being able to understand and regulate emotions, both my own and those of others—has been invaluable in my work as a therapist and business owner.

💡 Advice: Invest in self-awareness. Whether through therapy, journaling, or mindfulness, developing emotional intelligence will help you navigate personal and professional relationships with clarity and confidence. You can’t pour from an empty cup—your own healing and self-growth are essential.

3. Purpose-Driven Leadership & Community Building
Starting a group practice wasn’t just about providing therapy—it was about creating a space for healing, mentorship, and transformation. I’ve always been passionate about building community, and that has been a driving force behind everything I do. Whether it’s mentoring other clinicians, helping couples strengthen their relationships, or guiding individuals through trauma healing, I’ve learned that when you lead with purpose, you create lasting impact.

💡 Advice: Find your “why” and let it guide you. Passion will get you started, but purpose will sustain you. Seek mentors, build relationships, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Faith and purpose go hand in hand—when you align your work with your calling, the right doors will open. Success isn’t meant to be a solo journey—it’s about growing alongside others.

Final Thoughts
For anyone early in their journey, know that growth isn’t linear. There will be unexpected turns, but every step—whether forward or backward—is shaping you into who you’re meant to be. Stay resilient, invest in your self-awareness, trust in God’s plan, and build a community that supports and uplifts you. Your story is still being written, and it’s going to be powerful.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

At The Love Seat Counseling & Life Coaching, our ideal clients are couples or individuals who are committed to deep, transformative healing. We work with those who are experiencing complex trauma, relationship distress, or significant life challenges. Whether you’re facing challenges like communication breakdowns, infidelity, emotional disconnection, or overwhelming stress, our practice is here to help you rebuild and thrive.

We welcome individuals and couples who are:

Committed to personal growth and improving their relationship dynamics.
Struggling in the face of trauma, betrayal, or long-term disconnection, and seeking professional guidance.
Ready to embrace change and willing to explore new, healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
Looking for immediate, intensive support that can create lasting change, especially when traditional weekly therapy might not be enough.
We also specialize in helping therapists themselves, and other helping professionals who need relationship support, understanding the unique challenges that come with their work.

For couples who are stuck in negative cycles, feeling disconnected, or dealing with high levels of stress (such as infidelity or betrayal), the Couples Intensive is an ideal option. It’s for those who:

Are experiencing a crisis in the relationship and need immediate help.
Feel trapped in ongoing conflict cycles that leave both partners feeling unheard or misunderstood.
Are considering separation or divorce, but are still invested in healing the relationship.
Want to deepen their emotional and physical connection and need specialized support to do so.
Don’t have time for weekly therapy or need to address issues intensively in a condensed format.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loveseatcounseling.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloveseatcounseling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092433722215

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