Destigmatizing, educating and implementing the importance of mental health is no easy task, yet Nicole Eckard, owner of Resilience Therapy in Jonesboro, is determined to raise awareness about the cause.
Fighting the reservations and misconceptions surrounding such issues is a battle Eckard refuses to take lightly out of a personal conviction she called a “natural drive to help others.”
“In high school, I noticed I had this natural draw to helping people. Friends would come to me for advice, and I always felt extra empathy for what others were going through,” she said. “Once I paired that with education, it just clicked. This is what I’m meant to do.”
As a young adult, Eckard was drawn to pediatrics, but after a semester of studying biology in college, she bid the major farewell. Enrolling in a general psychology class made her decision simple: She would help others through her wisdom and advice.
“In my first semester, I quickly realized that I didn’t want to study biology for the rest of my life,” Eckard said. “Thankfully, my professor gave us the degree plan, and as I read it, I thought, ‘This just isn’t for me.’”
After completing her supervision hours and obtaining her Licensed Professional Counselor certification in 2020, Eckard felt drawn to create a space for patients to feel comfortable expressing themselves and their emotions in a safe environment. Opening Resilience Therapy in 2020, she saw an influx of patients due to insurance groups offering free counseling and therapy at no cost, allowing patients flexibility when accessing their health care.
“Telehealth has been amazing for accessibility,” Eckard said. “Insurance started covering it during COVID[-19], which helped a lot. It allows people who can’t travel — or who just feel more comfortable at home — to get care. I see clients across Arkansas via telehealth, and many say they’re more open because of that comfort.”
Since opening, Eckard has seen a spectrum of patients at her Jonesboro clinic. In 2024, she brought on two additional therapists to widen the services her practice could offer.
“I wanted diversity — therapists who weren’t exactly like me,” Eckard said, “different specialties, styles and even ages, so clients have options. Professionalism and passion for therapy were nonnegotiable. I also wanted people who value self-care and growth because those things directly impact the quality of care we provide.”
By staffing her practice with experienced and diverse professionals, Eckard said the practice is able to help wider groups of people. She sees that among many rewarding aspects of her work, along with giving people a safe space to talk without judgment.
“Many clients say, ‘I feel so much better just because I could talk about it,’” Eckard said. “On the other end, some clients come to us as a last resort. Seeing them reduce medication, restore family relationships or finally do things they’ve wanted to do for years — like go back to college or reconnect with loved ones — that’s incredibly rewarding.”
While her line of work can be emotionally draining and mentally taxing, Eckard said she not only encourages therapy for others but also sets boundaries for herself.
“My family knows I sometimes need a ‘brain break,’” she said. “I step away from noise, recharge, take a day off if needed, even take a vacation. I’ve also gone to therapy myself, which helps. I diversify my work — community outreach, supervision and speaking engagements — so I’m not always just in sessions.”
Eckard prides herself on the work she does both inside and outside of her clinic. As a leader in psychoeducation, she reaches audiences who fall victim to the stigmas of mental health.
“Through psychoeducation — speaking at churches, schools and businesses — I explain what therapy really is, break misconceptions and normalize mental health conversations,” she said. “When people understand the brain-body connection and why they react the way they do, it builds trust and reduces stigma.”
(Photo by Jamie Lee)
