About Therapy
Somethin’ isn’t right…
They say you’ve got it all, but the praise falls on deaf ears.
Additional accomplishments happening don’t bring you joy.
The day-to-day just isn’t bringing a smile to your face anymore. This blasé feeling is starting to bleed into all parts of your life, but you don’t know how to stop it from leaking.
Despite all the success in life and dedicated efforts, you still feel like something is off or like a total failure.
Let’s end this cycle together.
I know people tell you you’re “blessed” and have everything.
I’m not here to toot your horn or stroke your ego. I’m here to be objective and help you see through the magnifying glass. I will call you out, sometimes gently, other times not.
This work is hard and personal, and being genuine is required.
“Fake it ’til ya make it!”
Am I right? Maybe you’ve posted a lot of fake smiles to Instagram, but that “phone happiness” isn’t coming through in the real world, and it’s taking a toll.
Everyone thinks you have a perfect life, so keeping up appearances comes naturally. Perfect job, the best partner, cute dog or cat, shoot… maybe even an adorable family.
Regardless of what people think, you can find issues where you’d want more.
Your life is desired by so many that you feel guilty being unhappy. “People go through worse” frequents your mind. Despite pushing down your feelings of depression, anxiety, or trauma, they resurface.
Hiding is easy because it is the path of least resistance. When talking about your life, you often hint and say, “Perspective matters,” but never quite share what you face daily.
Faking it costs you sleep, happiness, and the desired change.
“What’s wrong with me?” keeps popping up.
You’ve probably spent a lot of time trying to answer that question.
You’ve spent hours on Google looking for answers, flipped through self-help books at Barnes & Noble because you just wanted to know if you were normal (didn’t buy them though because you’re not a “reader”). Followed therapists on Instagram, hoping they’d post something you relate with. TikTok therapy was a season for you.
The reality was… an answer just wasn’t good enough. Knowing a diagnosis, a theme, or that trauma occurred only made things heavier. Relationships in life became harder to maintain. Happiness became a thing of the past.
Now, you’re at your wits’ end. Eager and hopeful for something to alleviate the pressure.
You’re tired of one failed attempt after another. It’s clear that help is needed!
I’m here to help, and I invite you to come as you are.
Therapy is a space where you can be authentically you… without judgment of any kind.
I created “As You Are Therapy” with autonomy in mind. Come… sit on my couch and be as authentically YOU as you want!
There are no expectations of how you show up, and there is no “right” way of being in this space.
Walk in, feel welcomed, and leave feeling your best.
Shifting from one question to another…
Remember that question we mentioned earlier – the one you’ve probably been asking yourself?
“What’s wrong with me?”
Well, my friend, I’m here to tell you that’s the wrong question. Here’s the right one:
“What HAPPENED to me?”
When you ask yourself THIS question, it makes sense why “trying harder” hasn’t helped.
And guess what (drumroll, please!)…
That’s why I’m here – to help you figure out what has happened and how it’s impacted you (shocker, huh?).
Let’s change the trajectory of your life.
I’ll bring my handy-dandy therapy brain and skills to equip you with tools to make lasting changes in your life.
I think you’ll vibe with my therapeutic style and build a relationship where comfort and acceptance are a priority.
Here’s one thing I can tell you: Our therapy space won’t be boring!
And prepare to be “called out,” though. I’m known around town for one-liners. You might hear things like ” ‘No’ is a complete sentence,” which I’ll follow up with, “No, wait… I said what I said. Let it sink in.” We will laugh and process what comes up afterward.
It takes two to tango, and I’m sure we will dance well together.
Your life is so much more than this hamster wheel.
The struggle is real, but better exists!
Let me walk beside you on this healing journey.
Oh… and you won’t have to wear that mask when we’re together!
Call today for your free consultation. Let’s talk about how I can help: (615) 437-7191.
Hi, I’m Dr. Nicole Bryant, Ed.D, LCSW
My mission is to help you live your best life.
Whether you’re a youth, adult, or couple, I want you to achieve what you want, take up space, and fully thrive without wearing any masks.
As a granddaughter of immigrants, I know first-hand what it is like to go through the motions to check a box. I see the struggles endured to create a life where outsiders approve.
After years of witnessing people lose themselves to achieve the American dream, I realized that sacrifice isn’t worth losing who you are – watching people shrink themselves for years to “fit in” literally made them less magical. I saw the depression and anxiety set in.
Life is not a theatre. We cannot act for years and expect to be healthy and thrive. Unfortunately, those methodologies were passed down and ended with me. Now it is my mission to ensure people get what they want, how they want it, and do it authentically.
Here’s how I got on the path to becoming a therapist…
In college, I started digging into areas of my life that I was seeing fully for the first time.
I initially wanted to be an Anesthesiologist – but after working in hospitals, I realized people just wanted to talk. I switched my major to Social Work and began my own therapy journey.
I realized that my own family dynamic was “weird” and often left my feelings displaced. As the youngest, I was forced to be more mature, and my feelings were often pushed down, masks were worn to keep appearances, and accomplishments were expected. I could go on and on because I used a magnifying glass for each nook and cranny of my life.
It was scary and honestly frustrating, so I went to a therapist (who’s now a mentor). With her help, I could identify my negative patterns, discard them, and step into my new identity with perseverance.
Now, I am blessed to be the gift that keeps on giving to my own clients.
Some of my background…
I was born and raised in Yucaipa, California. Yep, I said it: I’m a freakin’ Cali girl!
As an undergraduate, I studied Social Work at Azusa Pacific University and received my Master’s degree in Mental Health Social Work from the University of Denver. Yeah… odd choice, huh? First, sunny California… then the freakin’ snow!
I worked in all sorts of environments to figure out my passion as I jumped into my doctoral program at Grand Canyon University. I completed my Doctorate in Behavioral Health Organizational Leadership in March 2021.
From there, my husband and I packed up and moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to live a “slow” life. Are you laughing yet? It isn’t slow, but we sure love it here!
I’ve finally left corporate mental health agencies focusing on grooming tomorrow’s great therapists… and now I have integrated it all into my own private practice! I supervise interns and now groom therapists to serve this community.
When I’m not in session…
I spend my time with my husband and our two toddlers. We hit the jackpot and got a boy and a girl, the true two under two. Our girl just recently joined the family so it’s been a joy seeing her take over slowly.
You’ll often find me on the couch with a book in my hand, probably eating something, and cuddling my two miniature schnauzers- Oliver and Rylee.
I also enjoy hanging out with friends and family and working out (Peloton/Tonal peeps, I see you!).
I’m also a big foodie. Did someone say tacos??