ASHLEY SMITH, PHD

Dr. Ashley Smith, is a licensed clinical psychologist, professional speaker, author, and co-founder of Peak Mind: The Center for Psychological Strength. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology with an emphasis in children and families from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2007. She completed a predoctoral internship at Children’s Mercy Hospital before joining the staff at Omaha Children’s Hospital to help develop their dedicated anxiety services. In 2009, she relocated to Kansas City to serve as a senior staff psychologist at a nationally recognized anxiety specialty center. She ventured out on her own in 2017 and continues in private practice as a sought-after anxiety specialist.

In addition to direct patient care, Dr. Ashley has been involved in a number of other scholarly, advocacy, and entrepreneurial activities. She has been an adjunct assistant professor and has provided training, supervision, and consultation for graduate students and other mental health professionals. She has several publications including peer-reviewed journal articles, chapters in edited volumes, blog posts and online articles, and two books, Childhood Anxiety Disorders and The Way I See It. She is a longtime member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and received their Special Recognition Award in 2023 for her public outreach efforts. Dr. Ashley regularly presents workshops and trainings on local and national levels. She is an outspoken advocate dedicated to changing the way we approach mental health. She is passionate about sharing cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology practices, and applied neuroscience to help people struggling with anxiety live better lives.