Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Nicole Bryant.
Hi Dr. Nicole, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up, I’ve always been drawn to both spaces and stories. Specifically how environments are used, who occupies them, and, most importantly, how they make people feel. For a long time, I thought that path would lead me to anesthesiology. I became a Medical Assistant in high school and spent time working in hospitals before college, but that experience ultimately redirected me.
Being in those systems clarified that what mattered most to me wasn’t just the medicine, it was the people, their stories, and how care was delivered. That realization led me into social work and behavioral health. While studying abroad, my focus sharpened around serving historically disenfranchised communities, and my work expanded into areas such as human trafficking, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS prevention, and work within jails and prisons.
From there, I transitioned into outpatient mental health and later into work with tech companies, where I supported and helped shape the next generation of therapists. With a great deal of encouragement, I opened my private practice in Murfreesboro part-time, initially intending to build a small caseload.
What became clear very quickly was that quality care doesn’t look the same for everyone and that there was space to create something different. I wanted to offer a more intentional, boutique experience that truly met people where they were, right in our own community. Eight months in, I hired my first therapist. We celebrated our three-year anniversary this past November, and today our practice has grown to a team of nine clinicians and two interns. Watching it grow has been both humbling and deeply joyful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, this has not been a smooth road. If I’m being honest, there have been moments when I seriously considered quitting. I’ve navigated staff transitions, sudden departures, and the difficult work of rebuilding and reassigning client care in real time. Those experiences forced me to adapt quickly and taught me how to find peace with the journey itself, rather than chasing a perfect version of what I thought it should look like. It may not always look the way I envisioned, but it is mine, and I get to choose what defines me.
One of the earliest challenges was finding affordable office space when I first opened. As the practice grew, space continued to be a recurring struggle. In 2024, we purchased our first building and spent six months renovating it…an experience filled with more blood, sweat, and tears than most people would imagine. The result, however, was a space that feels warm, grounding, and safe, and our clients truly love it.
Ironically, by the end of 2025, we had already outgrown it. We’re now preparing to open a second location in January 2026, which means stepping into yet another renovation and expansion phase. This next chapter allows us to widen the scope of care by integrating overall wellness so that we are bringing together therapy, massage therapy, and aesthetics under one roof.
Ultimately, the ongoing challenge has been sustaining momentum: meeting client demand without compromising quality, supporting our team, and continuing to grow in ways that genuinely serve the evolving needs of our community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work sits at the intersection of trauma therapy, leadership, and real-world application. I specialize in trauma-informed care and organizational leadership, and I provide individual therapy, couples therapy, and therapy for children and adolescents. In addition to clinical work, I lead speaking engagements and corporate mental health trainings through HR departments, helping organizations build healthier, more sustainable systems of care. One of my most recent engagements was with Cracker Barrel, focusing on mental health in the workplace.
What I’m most proud of, though, extends beyond my professional roles. I’m deeply proud of being a present wife and mom while building and leading a growing business. I just turned 31, and being able to look at what I’ve built alongside my team (my tribe) feels like a true blessing.
I’m also known for my educational presence on TikTok, where I’ve become recognized as the therapist who “reads people for filth” in a way that’s honest, grounded, and ultimately empowering. My goal there, and in my work overall, is to help people understand themselves better and learn how to find the right therapeutic fit, because the right support can change everything.
What sets me apart is that I genuinely get it. I’ve been in the position of not knowing how to navigate systems of care, therapy, or leadership, and I understand both the client-facing experience and the behind-the-scenes realities. That perspective allows me to meet people with clarity, compassion, and practical guidance whether I’m working with a client, leading a team, or educating a broader audience.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that might surprise people is that despite the confidence and clarity they often see in my work and brand, I’m deeply reflective and very intentional about slowing down. I’m not driven by hustle culture, I’m driven by sustainability. I care just as much about being present at home as I do about being effective at work, and every decision I make is filtered through the question, “Can this exist without costing me my peace or my family?” My husband will tell you that at times, it is hard to keep the balance. At the end of the day, my heart wants to ensure that everyone gets the best version of me at all times.
Another thing people may not realize is that my directness, whether in therapy, leadership, or on social media, comes from lived experience, not performance. I learned early on how confusing and inaccessible systems of care can be, and my work is rooted in making things clearer, more human, and easier to navigate for others.
At the core, I’m far more grounded and values-driven than people might expect. Growth matters to me, but only if it’s aligned, ethical, and sustainable. Due to this, I get REAL crafty. I am a HUGE book girlie (thrillers and self help). Instead of feeling like I’m not able to make time, I built it into my business. We host a monthly book club specifically to cover mental health areas. Two birds, one stone.
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy $140-$200
- Couples Therapy $180-235
- Group Therapy $75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://asyouaretherapy.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_asyouaretherapy/
