/ SSWorks /
Raising her Voice in Song Professional Ed conference focused on healing and resilience
It’s not often that a social work keynote begins and ends with full-throated singing. Perhaps that should change. To the surprise and delight of attendees, before speaking a word, Thema Bryant-Davis opened her talk at the Deepening Clinical Practice Conference by belting out “Woke up this Morning (with My Mind Stayed on Freedom.)” Bryant-Davis, professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, licensed clinical psychologist, ordained minister, playwright and dancer, is an expert in the field of trauma and healing. She also holds her own as a gospel singer, using song to illustrate a key point: There can and should be joy in therapy. “When people come into the room with their trauma, with their violations, they are wondering, ‘Can it get any better than this?’” she said. The answer should always be yes. “The miraculous can happen,” she said. Bryant-Davis’ talk touched on themes of clinician self-care, using cultural
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S M I T H COL L E G E SCHO O L FO R SO CIAL WO RK
The miraculous can happen. —THEMA BRYANT-DAVIS
Thema Bryant-Davis, Ph.D., opened her keynote presentation, Thriving in the Wake of Trauma: Cultural Considerations.
