Dr Thema Bryant, APA President (2022-2023), on the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Bryant, APA President and trauma psychologist, discusses groundbreaking initiatives aimed at integrating spirituality and religion within psychology. She highlights the importance of addressing trauma, grief, and oppression while fostering holistic mental health approaches. Her work includes a culturally informed summit on trauma, a documentary on underrepresented leaders in APA, and collaborations with faith communities to support mental health. Dr. Bryant stresses the need for psychology to embrace spiritual inclusivity, emphasizing that professionals should not overlook the spiritual dimensions of their clients' lives, particularly for those seeking healing and resilience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Bryant's leadership as APA President promotes the integration of spirituality and religion into psychology.
• 😀 Her initiatives focus on addressing trauma, grief, and oppression through a holistic, culturally informed approach.
• 😀 A key initiative is an outward-facing summit on trauma, grief, and oppression, highlighting the importance of sharing research with the broader community.
• 😀 Dr. Bryant emphasizes the importance of spirituality in psychology, stating that ignoring it limits understanding of the whole person.
• 😀 The integration of religion and spirituality into psychology is crucial for building more inclusive and empathetic treatment plans for clients.
• 😀 Dr. Bryant is only the second APA president to also be a minister, highlighting her unique perspective on bridging spirituality and psychology.
• 😀 A documentary, 'Representation Matters,' is being developed to highlight the journeys of psychologists from historically excluded identities who became APA leaders.
• 😀 Dr. Bryant advocates for greater collaboration between mental health providers and faith communities to address societal health disparities, such as maternal health.
• 😀 Graduate students are encouraged to bring their whole selves into their professional journey, including their spiritual beliefs and experiences.
• 😀 Dr. Bryant discusses the importance of preventing a dichotomy between mental health and faith, promoting a collaborative and holistic approach to healing.
• 😀 She stresses that spiritual inclusivity should be central to both research and practice, as many clients' lives are deeply influenced by their spiritual beliefs.

Q & A

What is Dr. Bryant’s main focus for her presidency in the APA?

Dr. Bryant’s presidency is focused on addressing trauma, grief, and oppression, particularly how spirituality and religion play a role in coping with these issues. She emphasizes integrating spirituality into mainstream psychological practice and promoting holistic well-being.

What are the key initiatives Dr. Bryant has introduced during her presidency?

Dr. Bryant’s initiatives include a public-facing summit focused on trauma and grief, a documentary on psychologists from historically excluded identities, and promoting the integration of spirituality into psychology training and practice. She also stresses collaboration with faith-based communities to provide more holistic care.

Why is Dr. Bryant focusing on spirituality in psychology?

Dr. Bryant argues that spirituality is often central to individuals' identities and mental well-being, yet it is frequently overlooked in psychological practice. She believes that spirituality is key to meaning-making, resilience, and holistic care, and its inclusion can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

How does Dr. Bryant plan to make psychology more inclusive of spirituality?

Dr. Bryant is working to integrate spirituality into psychology training, research, and practice. She advocates for making spirituality part of case conceptualization and treatment planning, and ensuring that psychologists are equipped to address it in a culturally competent way.

What role does culture play in Dr. Bryant’s initiatives?

Culture, including race, ethnicity, religion, and spirituality, is a central focus in Dr. Bryant’s initiatives. She emphasizes the importance of culturally informed approaches to trauma and grief, acknowledging that spirituality and religion are significant parts of identity and coping mechanisms for many people.

What is the significance of the Summit Dr. Bryant is organizing?

The Summit, set for October in Washington, D.C., aims to disseminate culturally informed methods for addressing trauma and grief. It will focus on including spirituality and religion in psychological practice, extending beyond academia to the public and the communities that need this knowledge most.

What is the goal of the documentary Dr. Bryant is working on?

The documentary, titled 'Representation Matters,' aims to highlight psychologists from historically excluded identities who became leaders within APA. It will explore how their personal identities shaped their leadership and the challenges they faced along the way.

Why does Dr. Bryant stress the importance of spiritual inclusivity in psychology?

Dr. Bryant emphasizes that ignoring or dismissing spirituality can lead to a lack of understanding and alienation in client-therapist relationships. She believes that including spiritual considerations enriches the therapeutic process and better supports clients’ holistic well-being.

How does Dr. Bryant suggest graduate students approach their professional development?

Dr. Bryant advises graduate students to not erase their personal experiences, including their spiritual journeys, in order to fit into a professional mold. She encourages students to embrace their full identities, as their lived experiences, including spiritual ones, can greatly enrich their work as psychologists.

What does Dr. Bryant mean by 'post-traumatic spiritual growth'?

Dr. Bryant introduces the concept of 'post-traumatic spiritual growth' as a potential outcome of the healing process, where individuals not only recover from trauma but also develop a deeper sense of meaning, purpose, and identity. She stresses the importance of community care and collaboration between mental health providers and faith-based communities in facilitating this growth.