Ashley Rush, MS, PLPC

02/12/2026

Important!! All therapists who treat OCD should be aware of these symptoms, they show up often!

02/10/2026

Interesting study using MRI!

A new study reveals that certain brain regions are more active in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during cognitively demanding tasks. The findings could help inform new ways in which the condition is treated and assessed.

02/09/2026

02/04/2026

Have a BFRB or know someone that does? There is a FREE support group that meets virtually each month to support you!

April 6, 2022 @ 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM - WHO: Adults (18+) who struggle with Trichotillomania, Dermatillomania and other Body-focused Repetitive Behaviors COST: FREE and open to the Public CONTACT: Dr. Chris Noble and Dr. Devika Basu will lead these groups. If you have any questions, contact Dr. Noble a...

02/02/2026

Great blog on illness anxiety during sick season!

Manage health anxiety during cold and flu season. Learn ERP and ACT tips to stop symptom checking and find calm when everyone around you is getting sick.

01/30/2026

For people living with OCD, courage is not the absence of fear.

It's showing up anyway, even when thoughts feel loud and uncertain. Every small step forward counts, even the ones taken while afraid. 💙

01/27/2026

Thoughts show up all day long.
That part is human. 🧠

What tends to make them feel intense or overwhelming is what our anxious brains add to them, meaning, fear, and that urgent “figure this out right now” feeling.

And if you have anxiety or OCD, your brain is especially good at turning the volume up fast. Not because you’re doing something wrong, just because that’s how this brain learned to protect you.

Here’s a gentle reminder I often share with clients:
You don’t need to get rid of thoughts to feel better.
Sometimes it’s enough to notice, “Oh, this is a thought,” and keep moving toward what matters. 🌱

01/26/2026

Love that Alegra Kastens, LMFT is so open and willing to share her story to help others

01/23/2026

Self-compassion isn’t about letting yourself off the hook.
It’s about changing how you show up when things feel hard. 💗

For many people, the inner voice gets louder and harsher exactly when support is needed most. But compassion isn’t weakness, it’s a nervous-system skill. 🧠✨

It’s choosing steadiness over self-attack.
Courage over criticism.
And respect for your limits while still moving toward what matters. 🌱

This kind of compassion doesn’t make anxiety or OCD stronger, it actually gives you more capacity to face fear with intention instead of force.

Which form of self-compassion feels most challenging for you right now?

01/15/2026

Ever wonder what's happening right before a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB)? TIMES helps us name the internal experiences that set the stage for a BFRB. When we learn to notice our TIMES we gain insight, compassion, and more options for responding differently to those signals.

01/13/2026

KD and I did a podcast episode on BFRBs! Learn more about why it's so important to have knowledge about the individualized treatment of this specific population!

Leaning into Therapy · Episode

11/17/2025