Nic Hardy Title: Subject Matter Expert Education: University of Texas, Arlington, University of Houston Location: Houston, Texas Expertise: Relationship Satisfaction, Depression and Anxiety among BIPOC, Confidence and Self-Esteem Nic serves as a Subject Matter Expert for DotDash Meredith and is a contributor on subjects related to mental health, relationships, and counseling. He is a Psychotherapist in Houston, where he runs a group counseling practice supporting adult individuals and couples. He is a frequent contributor to several national publications, as well as local media outlets.He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the University of Texas, Arlington. where he earned his Master’s. He has aPh.D. in Social Work from the University of Houston with research focused on relationship satisfaction, depression, and financial stability in African American and Hispanic populations.Nic has 15 years of counseling and mental health experience and has contributed to national publications such as PsychCentral, VeryWell, Cosmopolitan, HuffPost, Askmen, Healthline, and others. He is the former Editor of the Journal of Social Work at the University of Houston. He is also a Presidential Scholarship Recipient and a member of the National Association of Social Workers Experience Nic Hardy has extensive experience helping individuals and families improve the quality of their relationships. Nicholas owns a private counseling practice (Nic Hardy Counseling Services), where he serves as a Psychotherapist supporting adults, individuals, and couples.Prior to going into private practice, he worked as a therapist in substance abuse treatment facilities (Sapphire Therapeutic Service & Vision Behavioral Health), a public charter school (YES Prep), and nonprofit community organizations (Alliance Mental Health, Promise House, Big Brothers, and Big Sisters). Nicholas’s diverse experience has aided his ability to consult on mental health and serve as a thought leader on various related topics. Education Nic received his Ph.D. from the University of Houston, where his research focused on relationship satisfaction, depression, and financial stability in African American and Hispanic populations. He received his master’s from the University of Texas, Arlington, and is currently a licensed clinical social worker. His practice experience has been with adult populations, in various settings, including private practice, outpatient clinics, schools, and nonprofit community organizations. About InStyle InStyle is an award-winning destination for fashion, beauty, and pop-culture, with an all-are-welcome ethos that swings open the proverbial velvet ropes. Whether you’re looking for a wardrobe refresh, haircut inspiration, or a story that’ll make sparkling cocktail-party conversation, our expert-connected coverage is where to start. Learn more about our team and editorial guidelines, here.