Matters of the Heart - by Thema Bryant (Hardcover)

About the Book

"As a psychologist and minister with more than twenty years of experience, Dr. Thema understands how challenging it can be to create and cultivate healthy relationships-and how critical it is for our well-being. Matters of the Heart draws on the wisdom of science, sacredness, and lived experience to help readers tend to the garden of their hearts and build their best relational lives. Love is not a level playing field, and improving your relationship with yourself, which includes healing trauma and setting boundaries, is often the first step toward leveling the field. Dr. Thema shares evidence-informed practices, traits, and skills that can enhance your relationships overall, as well as solutions to challenges within common relationship dynamics. With her wise and compassionate guidance, delve into: hot topics such as control issues, emotional unavailability, and releasing someone who doesn't love you practical activation activities to apply what you learn from each chapter case studies that illuminate the process of healing and growing your heart how to shift your mindset and patterns around romance and so much more One of the major predictors of wellness is the nature of our relationships. Our culture is in a mental health crisis, exacerbated by the loneliness of the digital age and realities of post-pandemic society. Whether you are trying to level up a happy relationship or rebuild trust after an unhappy one, Matters of the Heart will empower you to connect to yourself and to others, heal your heart, and thrive in all areas of your life"--

Book Synopsis

A groundbreaking, heart-centered road map for everyone who seeks greater fulfillment in their relationships--with family, friends, romantic partners, and themselves

As a psychologist and minister with more than twenty years of experience, Dr. Thema understands how challenging it can be to create and cultivate healthy relationships--and how critical it is for our well-being. Matters of the Heart draws on the wisdom of science, sacredness, and lived experience to help readers tend to the garden of their hearts and build their best relational lives.
Love is not a level playing field, and improving your relationship with yourself, which includes healing trauma and setting boundaries, is often the first step toward leveling the field. Dr. Thema shares evidence-informed practices, traits, and skills that can enhance your relationships overall, as well as solutions to challenges within common relationship dynamics. With her wise and compassionate guidance, delve into:

- hot topics such as control issues, emotional unavailability, and releasing someone who doesn't love you
- practical activation activities to apply what you learn from each chapter
- case studies that illuminate the process of healing and growing your heart
- how to shift your mindset and patterns around romance
- and so much more

One of the major predictors of wellness is the nature of our relationships. Our culture is in a mental health crisis, exacerbated by the loneliness of the digital age and realities of post-pandemic society. Whether you are trying to level up a happy relationship or rebuild trust after an unhappy one, Matters of the Heart will empower you to connect to yourself and to others, heal your heart, and thrive in all areas of your life.

Review Quotes

"In Matters of the Heart, Dr. Thema provides a comprehensive roadmap that gently guides readers back to their own inherent wisdom and strength. Her compassionate warmth radiates through each lesson, making this book a true balm for the heart--the wellspring of life and healing."
--Dr. Mariel Buqué, nationally bestselling author of Break the Cycle

"We cannot pour if our cups are empty. Dr. Thema gracefully weaves in lessons on choosing ourselves, self- love, and the beautiful possibility of healing so that we can show up fully for ourselves and others. This book is a must read."
--Alexandra Elle, New York Times bestselling author of How We Heal

"Many of us lack the tools needed for healthy relationships. In Matters of the Heart, Dr. Thema provides practical guidance on how to heal and understand ourselves, enabling us to show up with compassion in our relationships. This book is a heartfelt guide to loving yourself and others more deeply and genuinely."
--Nedra Glover Tawwab, New York Times bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace and Drama Free

"Every once in a while, there is a book that compels you to grab a highlighter and take notes right from the start--this is one of those books. It's practical, heartfelt, and filled with much-needed wisdom. Through these pages, Dr. Bryant guides you through love, joy, grief, and heartbreak, to dealing with perfectionism, overwhelm, loneliness, and struggles we often feel we can't talk about or know where to even begin. As a guide to nourishing the heart and a reminder of what's possible, this work is timely, compassionate, clarifying, and healing."
--Morgan Harper Nichols, artist and bestselling author of All Along You Were Blooming

About the Author

Dr. Thema Bryant is a licensed psychologist, ordained minister, and professor of psychology at Pepperdine University. Dr. Thema was the 2023 president of the American Psychological Association and advocates for mental health and wellness locally, nationally, and globally. She is a past president of the Society for the Psychology of Women and a past American Psychological Association representative to the United Nations. She has appeared as a mental health expert on CNN, Headline News, CBS Mornings, NPR, VH1, OWN, and BET. Dr. Thema, who hosts The Homecoming Podcast, earned her doctorate from Duke University and completed her postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical Center.