“We can’t help youth & young people until we get ourselves right.”
Meet Dr. Rheeda Walker
Dr. Rheeda Walker is an award-winning Professor of psychology, a fellow in the American Psychological Association and a leading scholar who has published more than 60 scientific papers on African American mental health, suicide risk, and emotional resilience. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist who prepares doctoral students for independent careers.
Dr. Walker’s impact has expanded beyond academia and she has quickly become a fan favorite with the release of her first book, The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health. Delving into the heart of the Black experience, Dr. Walker debunks myths about mental health, builds the case for psychological fortitude, and delivers practical advice for use in everyday life. Her charismatic vision and practical approach to life’s challenges has led to numerous appearances on Good Morning America, The Breakfast Club, and NPR, among others. She is often quoted in major publications like the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, GQ Magazine, and the Houston Chronicle.
Dr. Walker’s eclectic mix of experiences positions her well to achieve her ultimate goal of bringing culturally-informed, psychological fortitude to both professional and lay audiences.
In This Episode
I am so excited to be hosting the incredible Dr. Rheeda Walker on the Get Loved Up Podcast. Listen in as we hear about about the tragic but important topic of inspiration for her book, The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health, the importance of enjoying the moment, mental health awareness in the young Black community, why we need to stop over committing ourselves, and learn about some of the reasons she entered this field, to start doing this very important work. As she said then, “Where are the conversations about people from my community in these textbooks?”
Get Loved Up with Dr. Rheeda Walker
We are fortunate to have with us today, Dr. Rheeda Walker, a University of Houston professor, psychologist, and leading expert in African American mental health. She is the author of the highly acclaimed new book, The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health. In the new book, Dr. Walker offers insight to the mental health crisis in the Black community along with tools and strategies for practicing emotional wellness. Dr. Walker is a Georgia native who now claims Houston, Texas as home. I hope that you find as much value today as I did, in what she shared with us. If so, please tag her, @dr.rheedawalker, and me, @koyawebb, on Instagram with a screenshot of the episode and your favorite takeaways. Knowing that you’ve learned something from us inspires us to continue making a positive impact in this world.
Until next time, love yourself, love others, and love the world. One day at a time, one breath at a time.
- The Origin Story (2:30)
- Ideas About the Biggest Challenges & Solutions Right Now (4:15)
- Enjoying the Moment (5:20)
- Regular Self-Assessment (7:00)
- Acknowledging Our Pain As Women (11:00)
- Creative Ways to Safely Connect During Covid (13:30)
- The Inspiration for the Book (14:45)
- Thoughts on the Rise of Young Black Suicide (15:50)
- When is it Time to See a Professional? (19:10)
- Dealing With the Hardest Times (22:20)
- Stop “Should-ing” All Over Yourselves (26:45)
- Sending Out the Bat Signal aka Ask For Help (30:10)
- Go to For a Spiritual Connection (34:00)
- Dr. Rheeda’s Favorite Things (40:00)
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Dr. Rheeda Walker’s Website
- Order Koya’s book Let Your Fears Make You Fierce
- Learn more about Koya’s Yoga Teacher Training Programs
- Join the Wellness Entrepreneur Mastermind
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