Dr. Thema Bryant, renowned psychologist, author, and former president of the American Psychological Association, delivered the Spring 2026 John P. McGovern Award Lecture in Family, Health, and Human Values at the University of Houston on April 7. Hosted by the Department of African American Studies and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS), the lecture, Liberation Psychology: Cultivating Justice, Love and Joy, drew an audience of students, faculty, staff and community members for an evening centered on relationship wholeness. The discussion opened with students sharing original poetry and a musical performance.
“This lecture series allows us to highlight how health, well-being and education are interconnected,” said Daniel P. O’Connor, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. “We appreciative having this opportunity to highlight the important research and work being done to enhance lives.”
The heart of Bryant’s lecture was “JUSTICE for Joy,” a psychological framework she created.
“The JUSTICE framework is more than ordinary stress management,” she said. “We focus on full-body care and finding affirmative ways to set boundaries, find fulfillment, and reconnecting to what we hold sacred, whatever that is.”
Bryant’s published works, Matters of the Heart, Homecoming and Reclaim Yourself: The Homecoming Workbook, focus on empowering readers to explore emotional unavailability, shifting mindsets around mental health and how relationships with our family and friends impact mental and physical well-being. She also hosts The Homecoming Podcast, a mental health platform dedicated to facilitating the journey home to one's authentic self.
“Dr. Bryant’s work brings a full body perspective to psychology, merging her background of spirituality with psychology and full body health,” said Dr. Tara Green, the founding chair of[HB1] the African American Studies Department.
“Psychology is the study of the soul,” Bryant told the audience. “We are often comfortable in saying it is the study of the mind, but we have to remember to study the fullness of who we are.”
Following her presentation, guests asked Bryant for her perspective on self-advocating through life changes, educational goals and ways to live in today’s world.
She offered an uplifting message. “Somethings are written in the story of your life without your permission, but you hold the pen to write what comes next[HB2] .”
Bryant completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at Duke University and her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical Center's Victims of Violence Program. She is a tenured professor at Pepperdine University, where she directs the Culture and Trauma Research Laboratory. She served as president of the American Psychological Association in 2023, underscoring her commitment to advancing the field and advocating for mental health equity. Bryant has appeared as a guest on Oprah Winfrey's podcast, The Dr. Phil Show, served as an I-reporter for CNN and delivered several TED Talks reaching millions of viewers.
Established in 1999, The John P. McGovern Endowment supports the John P. McGovern Annual Award Lectureship in Family, Health, and Human Values. An honorarium highlights the speakers’ efforts and research. Speakers are also presented with the John P. McGovern Award Medallion.
[HB1]Punctuation goes inside the quote, I know. But it should always be ,” said so
and so. Because the sentence isn’t finished until the period, and the quote and who
said it is part of the sentence. If you put the period in the quote .” you wind
up with a weird capitalization phrase when you get to the said part. Just somehting
to keep in mind.
[HB2]I love this!