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Dr. Jeannelle Perkins      

AI Tech Founder & CEO, Author, International Speaker, Mental Health & Relationship Expert

Dr. Jeannelle Perkins is an accomplished author, international speaker, psychotherapist, and licensed family therapist with over 20 years of experience in relationship and life coaching. Specializing in the intersection of mental health and relationships, Dr. Jeannelle is dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate emotional and relational challenges. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications, a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision.

As the Founder & CEO of Haruki, a Gen-AI mental health company, Dr. Jeannelle leads initiatives to provide customized emotional and relational health solutions for first responders and military personnel, helping them build resilience and manage the unique stressors of their professions. Her leadership ensures that Haruki’s solutions are innovative, practical, and tailored to support high-pressure environments.

Dr. Jeannelle is also a board member of Charleston Hope, where she contributes to efforts aimed at improving access to mental and behavioral health programs in Title I schools, supporting student well-being and academic success.

In 2024, Dr. Jeannelle took the stage as a TEDx Charleston speaker, where she delivered a powerful talk exploring how racism impacts Black intimacy within America’s structural and institutional systems. Her latest book, Into-Me-See, delves into the unique challenges Black couples face in developing and maintaining intimacy, offering practical solutions to strengthen relationships. Her academic research focuses on anxiety, depression, emotional and relational intelligence, relationship satisfaction, military trauma, PTSD, and secondary trauma.

Dr. Jeannelle is known for her keynotes, panel discussions, podcasts, and workshops. She has presented at prestigious conferences such as the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC), the Lowcountry Mental Health Conference (LMHC), the People’s Climate Innovation Center, the Charleston Literary Festival, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF).

Beyond her speaking engagements, Dr. Jeannelle lends her expertise as a consultant for TVOne's show Fatal Attraction and has been featured in prominent publications including Essence Magazine, Newsweek, Vice Magazine, and more. She has made television appearances on AFRO News, Fox 24 Charleston, and Lowcountry Live, solidifying her role as a leading voice in mental health and relational wellness.

Dr. Jeannelle’s work is driven by her unwavering commitment to helping individuals, couples, and communities build resilience, foster meaningful connections, and prioritize mental and emotional well-being in all aspects of life.

Speech Topics

AI in Mental Health

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing mental health care, offering innovative solutions to bridge gaps in access, early detection, and personalized treatment. From AI-powered chatbots providing 24/7 emotional support to machine learning models detecting early signs of anxiety and depression, technology is enhancing our ability to intervene before crises escalate. However, while AI offers tremendous potential, it must be implemented ethically, ensuring privacy, cultural sensitivity, and human oversight remain at the forefront. By embracing AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human connection, we can create a future where mental health care is more accessible, efficient, and tailored to individual needs.

AI & Relationships: Technology Meets Human Connection

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way we build and sustain relationships, offering insights and tools that can deepen our connections. From AI-driven communication coaching that helps individuals improve emotional intelligence to relationship apps that analyze conversation patterns and suggest healthier interactions, technology is becoming a powerful ally in fostering meaningful bonds. AI can also assist couples and families by identifying communication breakdowns, offering personalized conflict resolution strategies, and even predicting relational stressors before they escalate. However, while AI can enhance our understanding of each other, it should never replace authentic human connection. By using AI as a tool to support empathy, self-awareness, and emotional growth, we can create stronger, more fulfilling relationships in both our personal and professional lives.

AI & Resilience: Strengthening First Responders for the Frontlines

First responders face intense, high-stress situations that demand quick thinking, emotional regulation, and mental resilience. AI is emerging as a powerful tool to support their well-being, offering real-time stress monitoring, predictive analytics for burnout prevention, and personalized resilience training. From AI-driven mental health apps that provide coping strategies after traumatic events to virtual reality simulations that enhance emotional preparedness, technology is equipping first responders with the tools they need to manage stress and recover more effectively. However, while AI can enhance resilience, it must be integrated thoughtfully—ensuring that human support, peer connections, and ethical considerations remain central. By leveraging AI as a proactive ally, we can help first responders sustain their mental strength, perform at their best, and continue to serve their communities with confidence.

Family Systems Theory with a BIPOC Lens

Family Systems Theory, when viewed through a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) lens, takes into account the unique cultural and historical contexts that influence the dynamics within BIPOC families. This perspective recognizes that families from different racial and ethnic backgrounds may have distinct experiences, challenges, and strengths that are shaped by their cultural heritage and the systemic inequalities they face.

Healing Through Cultural Humility Before Cultural Competence

Cultural humility is a concept and approach that encourages individuals to approach interactions and relationships with others in a way that is open, respectful, and non-judgmental, particularly when dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds. It involves acknowledging one’s own cultural biases, limitations, and perspectives while seeking to understand and learn from the cultural perspectives of others.

Racism’s Impact on Black Intimacy

Black couples experience higher divorce rates nationally, in the South, and across religious denominations than any other racial group. This talk explores the intricacies of how the system of racism impacts black couples’ mental and emotional health, challenging their ability to make genuine connections within the relationship. This talk also seeks to provide therapists with culturally appropriate narratives to assist them in overcoming these barriers.

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