When you sit with Dr. Nic Hardy, his calm presence immediately sets the tone.
Memphis-born and now Houston-based, Hardy is a husband, father, avid reader and someone who has always loved being in conversation with people.
Laid-back and approachable, Hardy loves Houston’s diversity but is faithful to his hometown. At any given moment, all things Memphis dominate his playlist.
Hardy’s journey to joining the small but growing ranks of Houston-area Black male therapists and mental wellness initiatives (ex, The Black Man Project) didn’t follow a straight line. In fact, he began in an entirely different field.
“It really started back in 2008,” Hardy recalled. “I was originally an economics major. I have no idea why. But amid doing that, one of the things I always found myself going back to was relationships and talking to people. Many of the conversations I would have with people, kind of behind the scenes, were about what was going on in their lives, the challenges they were up against and how much it impacted them.”
At the time, mental health wasn’t nearly as mainstream as it is today, especially in Black communities. But Hardy found himself irresistibly drawn to the subject.
“Even what I was reading, I was reading books on mental health and relationships,” he said. “When everything kind of crashed with the market, I thought I wanted to go into commercial real estate. But fundamentally, what I woke up for every day was relationships and mental health. I remember coming home one day, looking at my books, and it was hundreds of books on this topic. And I’m like, why wouldn’t I pursue this for a career?”
That decision set him on a path that would bring him purpose, impact, and joy.
Black male therapist experience
In a field where Black men remain underrepresented, Hardy embraces both the challenge and the opportunity.
“Well, I don’t have anything to compare it to,” he said with a laugh. “That’s all I know is being a brother.”
Still, the importance of his position is not lost on Hardy.
“I think it’s a special opportunity because there aren’t a lot of brothers in the mental health space,” said the Texas Christian University and University of Texas Arlington alum. “That doesn’t mean that we don’t have mental health challenges. It doesn’t mean that our issues aren’t as relevant. They are. I get to speak to that minority population that doesn’t always feel seen and heard. So, I love it.”
Over the past 15 years, Hardy has witnessed remarkable changes.
“I love seeing the growth and the evolution of mental health, specifically as it relates to our community,” Hardy explained. “Because when I started, if it’s not a lot of brothers now, it definitely wasn’t a lot of brothers then. There was so much taboo around mental health that even just saying, ‘Hey, I’m gonna be a therapist,’ it was like, ‘Oh, okay.’ So, I am glad that narrative is beginning to shift, and that I’m playing a part in changing that.”
Practical wisdom and joyful living
Hardy is not just a clinician—he’s also a guide for living more fully. When asked for advice on maintaining balance, he emphasized the importance of taking small, intentional steps.
“I would recommend people just take a break,” said Hardy. “You can’t stop life. You can’t stop the responsibilities, but pull away for a minute and take some time to just spend with you and really be able to just do a deep dive into how you’re doing, how you’re feeling and start there.”
Sometimes, that can be as simple as stepping away from social media, getting outdoors or reconnecting with friends.
“And then of course, doing some things that you like and just have fun doing,” Hardy said. “We can never underestimate how important it is to just have fun and enjoy life. There’s so much stuff that’s happening to us. A lot of it is outside of our control, but when we’re really able to just invest in something that just makes us happy, as small as it may be, as big as it may be. Every step we take in that direction is always going to be worth it. And it pays dividends on our mental health.”
For Hardy himself, that joy often comes from reading. His current pick? Positive Intelligence. It is a book that explores the mental barriers people face in everyday life.
“I’ve always got a good book recommendation,” he said with a smile.
Transforming lives, one client at a time
Hardy’s work is not just theoretical—his clients regularly testify to the life-changing impact of therapy.
“Nic Hardy is a phenomenal counselor. He helped me get to the root of problems and trauma and how to deal with them without making me feel judged!” one client shared.
Another client added, “I can’t express enough how much Dr. Hardy has helped me. Ever since I started going to therapy, my life has changed significantly. My relationship with my husband has improved, my bond with my sisters and my mom has strengthened, and I feel so much more confident in myself. Thanks to him, I feel like a whole different person.”
“I thought I wanted to go into commercial real estate. But fundamentally, what I woke up for every day was relationships and mental health.”
Dr. Nic Hardy
For Hardy, these transformations are his greatest reward.
“It sounds cliché, but truthfully, just seeing people change and reach their goals and kind of be able to get more out of life and have a sense of fulfillment and purpose as a result of maybe addressing some of the childhood wounds. Or being able to navigate a certain season in life. Whatever it is that people are up against, seeing them come out on the other end and being able to be in a different place than where they were originally is the greatest joy.”
And that joy extends far beyond his office.
“I’ve seen this not only affect them, but it’s affected their kids,” said Hardy. “It affects their relationships with family, professional relationships. The residual effect of this is tremendous. Seeing all of that come together and being able to play a part in each person’s journey, it means everything.”
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