Ursula Kodjoe is a German psychologist who specializes in family therapy and divorce counseling. Born in 1956, she has built a respected career helping families navigate difficult transitions while maintaining a low public profile.
Many people know her as the mother of famous actor Boris Kodjoe, but her own story and professional accomplishments deserve attention. Her work focuses on supporting children and families during challenging times like divorce and separation.
Ursula’s approach to psychology emphasizes family harmony and children’s well-being. She has published in professional journals and helped develop important family mediation methods in Germany that continue to help many families today.
Though she stays out of the spotlight, her influence extends beyond her family. As an expert in family dynamics, Ursula has shaped how professionals approach family therapy, particularly in cases involving children affected by divorce.
Early Life
Ursula Kodjoe was born in Germany in 1956, growing up in a post-World War II environment. Her Jewish heritage forms an important part of her identity and likely shaped her perspectives on family and resilience.
Her family history includes both tragedy and survival. Her maternal great-grandmother was Jewish and sadly became a victim of the Holocaust, while her maternal grandmother survived by hiding during the war years.
These personal connections to historical trauma may have influenced her later career choice. Many psychologists are drawn to the field through their own experiences with hardship and healing, seeking to help others navigate difficult circumstances.
The values of compassion, understanding, and support that define her professional work likely have roots in her early life experiences. Growing up in post-war Germany would have exposed her to a society rebuilding itself.
Professional Development
Ursula pursued higher education in psychology, earning credentials that prepared her for a career helping others. She later specialized in family therapy, focusing on the complex dynamics that shape family relationships.
Her educational background includes a diploma in social pedagogy, which combines educational theory with social work principles. This training equipped her to work with families in ways that address both individual and social factors.
Through her studies and early career, Ursula developed expertise in family mediation. This approach helps families resolve conflicts through guided negotiation rather than adversarial legal processes, putting children’s needs at the center.
Her professional development led her to become an initiator of the Cochem model, an innovative approach to family mediation. This model emphasizes cooperation between parents, courts, and counselors to create child-centered solutions during divorce.
Family Life
Ursula married Eric Kodjoe, a Ghanaian physician, creating a family that bridged German and Ghanaian cultures. Their multicultural household provided a rich environment for their four children: Boris, Patrick, Nadja, and Lara.
The couple later divorced when Boris was just six years old. This personal experience with family transition likely informed Ursula’s professional approach to helping families navigate divorce while minimizing negative impacts on children.
Despite the divorce, Ursula and Eric maintained a relationship centered on their children’s well-being. This practical co-parenting approach reflects the principles she advocates in her professional work with families experiencing separation.
Ursula focused on raising her children and building her psychology practice after the divorce. Her ability to balance professional work with single motherhood speaks to her resilience and commitment to family values.
As a mother, she created a stable and loving environment for her children. Her parenting approach emphasized education, cultural awareness, and strong family bonds, values that continue to influence her children’s lives today.
Professional Expertise
In her psychology practice, Ursula specializes in helping families navigate divorce and separation. Her approach focuses on protecting children’s emotional wellbeing during these difficult transitions that can otherwise cause lasting harm.
She operates a private practice where she applies her expertise in family dynamics. Her work includes counseling for couples, parents, and children, helping each family member process change in healthy ways.
Ursula’s professional methods emphasize cooperation rather than conflict. She helps parents find common ground and develop communication strategies that allow them to co-parent effectively despite their separation.
The Cochem model she helped develop represents an innovative approach to family mediation. This model brings together legal professionals, psychologists, and social workers to create comprehensive support systems for families in transition.
Her publications in journals like L’école des parents and internationale-de-psychosociologie share her insights with other professionals. Through these academic contributions, her influence extends beyond her direct client work to shape broader practices in family therapy.
Influence on Boris Kodjoe
Boris Kodjoe, now a successful actor and former model, often credits his mother for the values that guide his life. Her emphasis on education, integrity, and family loyalty has shaped his approach to both his career and personal life.
Though Ursula wasn’t directly involved in Boris’s acting career, her influence is evident in his character. The stability she provided during his childhood gave him a strong foundation from which to pursue his dreams.
Boris has spoken about the strength and resilience his mother instilled in him. These qualities have helped him navigate the challenges of Hollywood while maintaining a grounded perspective on fame and success.
The values Ursula emphasized at home are reflected in Boris’s parenting approach. As a father, he carries forward the lessons about family commitment and emotional support that he learned from his mother.
Her professional focus on healthy family dynamics likely influenced how Boris approaches his own family life. His marriage to actress Nicole Ari Parker and their parenting of their two children reflect many of the principles Ursula champions.
Public Perception
Unlike her famous son, Ursula maintains a very private life. She rarely makes public appearances and has chosen to stay out of the media spotlight despite her connection to celebrity.
This commitment to privacy aligns with her professional ethics as a psychologist. Client confidentiality and personal boundaries are essential in therapeutic work, values that appear to extend to her approach to public life.
Ursula does not maintain any social media accounts. Any glimpses into her life typically come through occasional mentions or photos shared by Boris on his social media platforms.
Her choice to remain private creates an interesting contrast with Boris’s public career. This balance demonstrates how family members can support each other while maintaining their own distinct identities and boundaries.
Despite her privacy, Ursula’s influence is acknowledged in the public sphere through Boris’s occasional tributes. These glimpses reveal a strong mother-son bond based on mutual respect and appreciation.
Ongoing Impact
As of 2025, Ursula continues her work as a psychologist specializing in family relationships. Recent articles highlight her ongoing contributions to family therapy and divorce counseling in Germany.
In January 2025, Professional Business Magazine recognized her significant impact in psychology. The publication described her as “a remarkable German psychologist” who has “carved out a significant niche in her field.”
Her methods for supporting families through transitions remain relevant in today’s changing social landscape. As family structures evolve, her expertise in helping children navigate change provides valuable guidance for parents and other professionals.
The Cochem model she helped develop continues to influence family court procedures in Germany. This approach prioritizes collaborative solutions that put children’s needs at the center of divorce proceedings.
Though she maintains her privacy, her professional legacy grows through the families she has helped and the colleagues she has influenced. Her work represents a quiet but powerful contribution to family psychology.
Lasting Influence
Ursula Kodjoe’s legacy extends beyond her famous son to include her contributions to psychology. Her work has helped countless families navigate difficult transitions while protecting children’s emotional well-being.
The values she champions—family harmony, children’s welfare, and cooperative problem-solving—continue to guide practitioners in family therapy. These principles provide a framework for approaching even the most challenging family situations.
Through both her professional work and personal example, Ursula demonstrates the power of quiet influence. Her story shows how meaningful impact often happens behind the scenes, through consistent dedication rather than public recognition.
As a mother who raised children across cultures, her experience offers insights into multicultural family dynamics. This perspective is increasingly valuable in our globally connected world, where intercultural families are more common.
Ursula Kodjoe’s story reminds us that behind many successful public figures stand family members whose wisdom, support, and guidance helped shape their path. Her influence on Jason Alexander and other celebrities highlights the profound impact a parent’s values can have.
