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Ashley Smith, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Ashley Smith is a licensed psychologist, co-founder of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength, speaker, and author of The Way I See It: A Psychologist’s Guide to a Happier Life. She is a sought-after anxiety expert and outspoken advocate dedicated to changing the way we approach mental health and wellbeing. Dr. Ashley is also open about learning to thrive with a rare visual impairment. The combination of her professional expertise and personal experiences put her in a unique position to educate and inspire. She is passionate about helping others live bold, happy lives while performing at their peak.

Education

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, PhD, Clinical Psychology
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, MA, Clinical Psychology
  • University of Central Arkansas, BA, Psychology

Professional Achievements

  • TEDx speaker (https://www.ted.com/talks/ashley_smith_is_your_brain_deceiving_you)
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor at Kansas City University
  • Recipient of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America's Special Recognition Award, in large part for her public outreach efforts
  • Speaks regularly to audiences of all sizes, from small start-ups to Fortune 5 companies
  • Featured in national publications like The Wall Street Journal, Today.com, and WebMD

Certifications & Organizations

  • Licensed Psychologist
  • Long-time member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Favorite Piece of Advice

Just because life gives you a cactus doesn't mean you have to sit on it! It is inevitable that we will encounter hard things in life. It's not what happens to us that matters nearly as much as what we do and how we think about that hard thing. Mindset matters!

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Co-authored Articles (7)

11 Ways to Respond to a Mean or Toxic Text Message

Disarm an attack in a text without causing more dramaGetting a mean text message can really hurt. Your immediate reaction might be anger or sadness, but don’t let your emotions make you say something you’ll regret la...

How to

Express Sadness in Text

It’s completely normal to feel sad or upset from time to time, but talking through your emotions can help you move past them even faster. We know that it can be a little tough to determine how someone feels from a text...

How to

Stop Being Viewed As a Nerd

''Easy ways to tweak your image and leave the nerdy stereotype behind'' While there's certainly nothing wrong with being a nerd, and certainly nothing wrong with being yourself, sometimes life demands we act as social ch...

What to Do When You Get a Gift You Don't Like

Respond to unwanted gifts with grace and tactYour great aunt knitted you the world's ugliest sweater. Your friend got you a CD by a band you detest. Your kids are waiting for you to tell them you love your new pink and g...

How to

Know if You Are Stubborn

Being stubborn can be a good thing if you’re sticking to your principles or standing up for yourself. But if you’re just being hardheaded, it can drive people away from you. The good news is there are ways you can te...

How to

Not Worry when You're in Trouble at School

Sometimes school can be very stressful. Homework, tests, and difficult teachers can all take a toll on you. But the most stressful situation is when you know that you are in trouble. For example, maybe you didn’t do yo...

11 Reasons for a Lack of Trust in a Relationship

As you grow closer in your relationship with someone, trust helps you build a strong foundation together. When you or your partner has an issue trusting the other person, it could hold you back from your full potential a...