We recently had the chance to connect with Ashley Moser and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
Clients and Kids!
A normal day for me includes lots of coaching, holding space, accountability and attunement. I spend the first part of my day with clients talking about these themes and then transition into parenting where I have to put them into action. Everyday is an opportunity to talk the talk and then walk the walk!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Ashley Moser, licensed marriage and family therapist and certified eating disorders specialist. I am a therapist and owner of Next Steps Counseling and Consulting, a virtual therapy practice specializing in disordered eating and relationships. My practice includes two stellar clinicians Deb and Alex, who also specialize in trauma. I have been practicing individual, couple, family and group therapy for over 18 years and have supervised other clinicians for over 10 years. I am a relational therapist who balances connection and accountability to help my clients achieve sustainable change.
I have a passion for educating others on mental health and in addition to my practice, speak publicly on topics like eating disorders, body image and relationships. I have been featured in television and print and have facilitated trainings for hundreds of clinicians. I love being able to impact individuals, families and communities in my various roles.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I think we all have a sense of imposter syndrome and self doubt in this profession. It is hard to believe that we really ‘deserve’ or ‘have it figured out’ enough to sit in spaces with other as a guide. While these feelings still creep up, I’m spending more time standing in what I know I have to offer versus questioning.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You don’t have to protect yourself so much. The guards that you keep up to protect yourself are ultimately causing you to miss out on a lot of the joy in life. (I now say this to many of my clients!)
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Now more than ever. Anytime I start to feel anxious in my role as a therapist or speaker, I remind myself that all I have to be is myself and that is enough. It’s gotten so much easier with time! I remember I used to wear business suits to sessions in my early career to project an ideal version of a therapist. It’s so much more effective and comfortable to know I can be myself and that is what makes people want to hear what I have to say.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What pain do you resist facing directly?
Shame is still a real doozy for me. I actively try to avoid making mistakes across the board to avoid feeling that emotion. This of course is impossible, so I have had to get comfortable sitting with shame just like many of my clients. I don’t have it figured out perfectly just yet and I guess that’s the point, right?!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nextstepscounselingandconsulting.com
- Instagram: @nextstepscounselingconsulting
- Linkedin: Ashley Sheil Moser
- Facebook: Next Steps Counseling and Consulting
