Ki Ip (She/Her)

Hometown: Los Angeles County

Howdy! My name is Ki (pronounced like “key”), and I’m a master’s student in Marriage and Family Therapy at Alliant International University. With a background in design, I’m passionate about integrating creativity and research to address mental health challenges for children and youth.

I’m currently involved in projects exploring parent-child relationships, cultural representation in mental health, and the cross-cultural validation of attachment measures. A key focus for me is developing accessible, play-based tools and interventions that foster social-emotional growth and resilience in children and their families.

I strive to bridge therapy, research, and creative design to make mental health support more accessible and engaging. My interests include youth mental health, play-based education, and integrating art and play into interventions that support diverse communities.

Fun Fact: I bought a small dollhouse to decompress the tiny dramas of everyday life.

Research Interests: Parent-child relationships, youth mental health, play and art therapies, neurodiverse families, cultural inclusion, and accessible, design-integrated interventions

Advice to first year students: Try to plan ahead on assignments, and take the time to connect with faculty and staff—they’re really supportive and can help you stay on track.