Ask the Experts | Dr. Thema Bryant | IG Live Q&A
Dr. Thema Bryant is a psychologist, author, professor, sacred artist, and minister who is leading the way in creating healthy relationships, healing traumas, and overcoming stress and oppression. Dr. Thema is the author of the soon to be released book Matters of the Heart (February 4, 2025; Penguin Random House), which aims to empower readers to connect with themselves and to others, delving into topics such as: control issues, emotional unavailability, practical activation activities, case studies, and teaching how to shift mindset and patterns around romance. Dr. Thema Bryant completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Duke University and her post-doctoral 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. She is currently a tenured professor of psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, where she directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory. Dr. Thema is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and leads the mental health ministry at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles. Most recently, she was the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association (APA) and is the host of The Homecoming Podcast.
Questions answered:
What are the signs I need to set stronger emotional boundaries, and how do I actually enforce them?
I go into fight or flight when people question me. How can I begin to regulate my emotions so I can have healthier relationships with everyone in my life?
How do I know if I’m settling or if I just have unrealistic expectations in love?
How do you keep grounded in this turbulent life we live in?
How do I rebuild trust after betrayal? When should I stay, and when should I walk away?
For the life of me, it is so hard to not raise my voice when I feel like I’m not being heard or understood. What might be a good practice to get out of this response?
I struggle with knowing if what feels like a need, is actually a need. I was told in an abusive marriage that I left that my needs were “too much.” How do I learn to trust myself again and share them?
What is the first step into finding yourself after identifying you are in a strong codependent relationship with your partner?
How do I balance being open to love while still protecting myself from being hurt?
How can I get comfortable receiving love instead of always being the one who gives?