Dr. Thema Bryant, a renowned psychologist, author, professor, sacred artist, and minister, weaves psychology, spirituality, and social justice, as she illuminates paths to healing, liberation, and love, by leading the way in creating healthy relationships, healing traumas, and overcoming stress and oppression.
Dr. Thema completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Duke University and her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical Center’s Victims of Violence Program. Upon graduating, she became the Coordinator of the Princeton University SHARE Program, which provides intervention and prevention programming to combat sexual assault, sexual harassment, and harassment based on sexual orientation. Currently, a tenured professor at Pepperdine University, Dr. Thema directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory and imparts wisdom to future generations of healers and leaders, fostering a culture of compassion and social justice.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Thema’s influence extends far and wide. Her role as the former president of the American Psychological Association in 2023 underscores her commitment to advancing the field of psychology and advocating for mental health equity. Through her podcast, The Homecoming Podcast, a mental health podcast to facilitate the journey home to your authentic self, she offers a sanctuary for those seeking to create healthy relationships, heal traumas, and overcome stress and oppression. As a sacred artist, Dr. Thema’s artistic expressions, from written word to dance, invite readers and audiences to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Her forthcoming book, Matters of the Heart (February 4, 2025; Penguin Random House), empowers readers to connect with themselves and to others, exploring topics such as: control issues, emotional unavailability, practical activation activities, case studies, and teaching how to shift mindset and patterns around romance.
Dr. Thema is a global psychologist who served as a representative of the American Psychological Association to the United Nations. The organization International Psychology gave Dr. Thema an award for Contributions to Global Psychology and Gender for her lifelong work in Africa and the African Diaspora. Dr. Thema’s bestselling book, Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim Your Whole Authentic Self, has been translated into Turkish and Portuguese. In addition to being honored for her contributions to media psychology, mentoring, and scholarship, Dr. Thema was presented with the Silverman Lifetime Achievement Award for Social Justice in Psychology as well as the Society of Indian Psychologists’ Distinguished Allyship award for her commitment to indigenous communities.
Dr. Thema’s position as an ordained elder with the African Methodist Episcopal Church exemplifies her dedication to a holistic approach to emotional wholeness. A beacon of hope in our world, Dr. Thema inspires us to embrace our authentic selves, heal our wounds, and to cultivate meaningful connections.
