About
Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery
Pastologist™ · Licensed Psychologist · Ordained Reverend
Follow Dr. TLC
The Journey
Meet Reverend Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery
Reverend Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery is a licensed psychologist, ordained reverend, author, speaker, and creator of the Sacred Intelligence Framework. She is the founder of Sacred Intelligence, LLC and pastor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Through private coaching, retreats, workshops, keynote speaking, and her published works, including the award-winning In Quietness, Confidence, and Strength, she guides individuals and communities through the Sacred, Self~ish, and Shared transformation journey.
Her approach is compassionate yet challenging, clinically grounded yet spiritually elevated. She refuses to let anyone believe they are anything less than divinely created and loved unconditionally.
Education
- Ph.D. Clinical & School Psychology, Hofstra University
- M.Div., Yale University
Roles
- Licensed Psychologist
- Ordained Reverend (Presbyterian)
- Founder & CEO, Sacred Intelligence LLC
- Pastor, MLK Jr. Community Presbyterian Church
- Author & Keynote Speaker
- Host, Dismantle Racism Radio Show
Books
- Sacred Intelligence: The Essence of Sacred, Selfish, and Shared Relationships
- In Quietness, Confidence, and Strength: Prayers to Deepen, Elevate, and Expand Your Relationships (NYC Big Book Award, Distinguished Favorite)
- Dismantling Racism: Healing Separation From the Inside Out (NYC Big Book Award 2025, Distinguished Favorite)
Signature Lexicon
- Pastology / Pastologist
- Sacred Intelligence
- Manifest Your Greatness
- Healing from the Inside Out
- The Beloved Community
- Intentional Pause
A New Field
What Is a Pastologist?
Pastology is the synergy between clinical psychology and pastoring, treating the two disciplines as mutually reinforcing to address the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
Traditional pastoral counseling prioritizes theology over psychological science. Secular clinical psychology avoids spiritual discourse. Reverend Dr. Curry Avery holds a Ph.D. in Clinical and School Psychology from Hofstra University and a Master of Divinity from Yale University. In every space she enters, as coach, leader, speaker, or consultant, she draws from both the psychological and the spiritual to heal what is broken, transform what is stuck, and elevate what is possible.
She views psychological pathology through a spiritual lens and spiritual devotion through a psychological lens. Her goal is to help individuals cultivate a relationship with the Sacred however they define it.
Walking in Legacy
MLK Jr. Community Presbyterian Church
Dr. TLC serves as pastor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Massachusetts, a congregation that carries Dr. King's name and his mission of love, justice, and community.
On December 28, 2020, the church was set on fire in an act of arson. Dr. TLC learned about the fire through an email, initially refusing to believe it was her church. Thirty minutes later, a phone call confirmed the devastating truth.
In the weeks that followed, Dr. TLC kept her congregation together and their spirits high as they began to rebuild, the structure and the spirit. She led with the same Sacred Intelligence she teaches: grounding in purpose, honoring the pain, and moving forward with love.
“For me, particularly as a leader, I know I am walking in Dr. King's legacy. And that is important for me, to lead with love and power.”
— Dr. TLC
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Whether you are seeking private coaching, a transformative retreat, or a keynote speaker for your organization, the journey begins with a single step.