In this episode of the EZ Conversations podcast, Furkhan welcomes Dr. Ashley Smith, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Anxiety, OCD, and Stress-related conditions. Dr. Smith shares her journey of resilience in dealing with her degenerative retinal disease and how it has informed her professional work. The discussion delves into resilience, the importance of teaching it to future generations, and the science of happiness. Dr. Smith provides insights into the nature of OCD, differentiates it from general anxiety, and discusses effective treatments such as exposure with response prevention, mindfulness, and neuroplasticity. The episode also covers the role of shame in OCD, strategies for staying motivated, and practical steps for building a happier and more resilient life. Dr. Smith highlights the importance of self-compassion and offers valuable resources for those seeking help with OCD.
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. 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.
Connect with Dr. Ashley on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook (@drashleysmith) or through her website www.drashleysmith.com.
Watch her TEDx talk, Is Your Brain Deceiving You?
Read her book, The Way I See It: A Psychologist’s Guide to a Happier Life. Available in paperback, digital, and audio formats.
03:18 Welcome to the EZ Conversations Podcast
04:48 Dr. Ashley’s Personal Journey with Vision Loss
08:04 Overcoming Shame and Embracing Vulnerability
10:56 Understanding and Practicing Happiness
21:25 Exploring OCD and Its Impact
27:07 Understanding Anxiety and OCD
28:26 Exposure Therapy and Resilience
31:08 Neuroplasticity and Behavioral Change
38:12 Shame and Self-Compassion in OCD
46:02 Maintaining Motivation and Forming New Habits
49:56 Conclusion and Resources
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- Aura: https://aura.com/ez10 for a free two-week trial
- Plunge: https://plunge.com/ez
- Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/ezconversations for 15$ for an unlimited cell phone plan
- Mental: https://getmental.com/ez
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I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.
As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.
I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.
At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.
As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.
