A road map for dismantling the fear and shame that keep you from living a free and authentic life.
In the aftermath of stress, disappointment, and trauma, people often fall into survival mode, even while a part of them longs for more. Juggling multiple demands and responsibilities keeps them busy, but not healed. As a survivor of sexual assault, racism, and evacuation from a civil war in Liberia, Dr. Thema Bryant knows intimately the work involved in healing. Having made the journey herself, in addition to guiding others as a clinical psychologist and ordained minister, Dr. Thema shows you how to reconnect with your authentic self and reclaim your time, your voice, your life.
Signs of disconnection from self can take many forms, including people-pleasing, depression, anxiety, and resentment. Healing starts with recognizing and expressing emotions in an honest way and reconnecting with the neglected parts of yourself, but it can’t be done in a vacuum. Dr. Thema gives you the tools to meaningfully connect with your larger community, even if you face racism and sexism, heartbreak, grief, and trauma. Rather than shrinking in the face of life’s difficulties, you will discover in Homecoming the therapeutic approaches and spiritual practices to live a more expansive life characterized by empowerment, healthier relationships, gratitude, and a deeper sense of purpose.
Dr. Thema Bryant is a clinical psychologist and 2023 president of the American Psychological Association. She is also a professor of psychology at Pepperdine University and an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Thema earned her doctorate from Duke University and completed her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. With more than twenty years of experience in trauma recovery, she has appeared as a mental health expert on television, radio, and print media. Dr. Thema raises awareness about mental health issues on The Homecoming Podcast and her social media platforms.
“Dr. Thema Bryant is teaching people how to come back to themselves and handle challenges along the way of self-discovery. This book is a must-read for anyone going through a transition in life or seeking to learn more about themselves.”
—Nedra Glover Tawwab, New York Times bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace
“A wise and empathic guide to (re-)discovering and befriending who you really are, no matter how much you may have drifted away due to stressful and painful life events, including not having been seen or valued by others, outright racism, violence, injustice, and traumas of all kinds. Dr. Bryant provides many possible pathways back to experiencing your original wholeness. Whatever path you take, it will be nothing less than the journey of a lifetime, starting from precisely where you are. This book arrives at the perfect time, if you are willing to let it guide you in opening and reconnecting to your essential beauty.”
—Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Full Catastrophe Living
"Dr. Thema's invitation in this book is grounding. She encourages us to release busyness and get present. The resounding message is we are not lost, we are home. This is a book that everyone needs to read."
—Alexandra Elle, author of After the Rain
"Dr. Thema Bryant’s Homecoming is a masterwork. It is a book of wisdom and instruction, a life-changer that teaches us how to unlock the fullness of our heart. The enlightening work is a lucid and spirited invitation to peace, a guide along the sacred path to the forgotten treasure of our authentic self. Homecoming takes us on an illuminating journey to clarity and calm, so needed in today’s anxiety-ridden world."
—Susan L. Taylor, founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement and editor in chief emerita of Essence
“There comes a time in our lives when we must silence the lies of unworthiness and unpack the traumas that have disconnected us from the truth of who we are. Brilliant, intentional, and healing, Dr. Thema’s Homecoming guides us on a transformational journey to reclaiming our full selves. More than a ‘feel-good’ read, the book provides thoughtful exercises to help us stick with the journey and grow along the way. If you’re feeling lost, let Homecoming lead the way by helping you find a nourishing home within yourself.”
—Robyn L. Gobin, PhD, author of The Self-Care Prescription
"Dr. Thema's voice is the one we've been missing! Homecoming will wake you up from slumber and give you access to the best version of yourself. Of all the voices of change in the world, Dr. Thema's is one you should be listening to. It will change your life."
—Justin Michael Williams, author of Stay Woke
“Reading this book makes you feel seen and comforted. Homecoming delivers gentle and compassionate guidance toward spiritual and psychological growth.”
—Adriana Alejandre, founder of Latinx Therapy
