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Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW
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Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW is a relationship expert, grief counselor and the author of four self-help books including Shortcuts to Inner Peace: 70 Simple Paths to Everyday Serenity, Transcending Loss: Understanding the Lifelong Impact of Grief and How to Make it Meaningful as well as her latest book due out in August of 2012 "75 Habits for a Happy Marriage" co-authored with her husband, Daniel Arthur Bush, PhD

Over 30,000 people follow Ashley's daily posts on her three Facebook pages:

Grief Support: "Transcending Loss"
Relationship Support: "Shortcuts to Intimacy"
On Living Deeply: "Shortcuts to Inner Peace"

You can also follow Ashley on Twitter

Ashley Davis Bush has a private practice, Transitions and Loss Counseling, located in Southern, NH.

For an extended bio and free resources, visit www.ashleydavisbush.com.

Entries by Ashley Davis Bush, LCSW

Griever's Gold: Cherished Memories

(10) Comments | Posted April 25, 2013 | 8:27 AM

In the popular television series Once Upon a Time, Snow White is devastated that she cannot be with her true love, Prince Charming. The pain of facing life without him is so searing that she begs the village wizard for relief. He tells her that he can erase her pain...

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Shower Bliss: 6 Habits to Create Peace as You Start Your Day

(22) Comments | Posted April 4, 2013 | 1:20 AM

Do you ever wake up in the morning grumpy, or even depressed? Do you have a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as you start up the cycle of providing breakfast, organizing kids, rushing off to work, and facing a mile-long "to do" list?

The morning is a...

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How to Be Happier Every Day: 6 Simple Ways to Improve Your Mood

(60) Comments | Posted January 17, 2013 | 8:00 AM

It may be a new year, but is it really a new you? Let's face it -- it's unlikely that you've suddenly acquired a new wardrobe, started a new career, found a new family, or overhauled your personality.

Do not despair. You don't need a life makeover to experience more...

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Cancer: An Uninvited Visitor, a Bearer of Gifts

(11) Comments | Posted January 7, 2013 | 4:30 PM

In June of 2012, cancer came to call. Over the next six months, I watched my brave husband, Daniel, face surgery and then round after round of healing "poison," a witch's brew that would hopefully extend his life.

Earlier I wrote that I would invite his cancer to...

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Blue Christmas: 6 Ways for Grievers to Navigate the Holidays

(6) Comments | Posted December 14, 2012 | 10:45 AM

Lights, music, festivities, and feasts all around -- but if you're grieving the loss of a loved one, it is anything but "the most wonderful time of the year." It's possible that you're feeling more irritable and shut down than Scrooge and the Grinch combined. While others seem to be...

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Recharge Your Relationship (and Family) at the Dinner Table: 6 Easy Habits

(6) Comments | Posted November 22, 2012 | 1:20 AM

If you're not feeling connected to your spouse after work, if family dinner in your house has disintegrated into a chaotic free-for-all, then it's time to make some changes to your evening meal routine.

True, there are many nights when conflicting kid and adult schedules make...

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Have You Lost Your Peace of Mind? 5 Ways to Keep It

(12) Comments | Posted November 7, 2012 | 7:30 AM

The Dalai Lama is quoted as saying: "Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace."

For most of us this idea seems like common sense. Why should we allow others to control our inner world? Still, staying calm when we interact with challenging people can...

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Kids and Funerals -- Do They Belong Together?

(4) Comments | Posted September 7, 2012 | 4:00 PM

My 54-year-old client sat across from me with tears in her eyes. She was describing her mother's death when she was 8 years old. She choked back her tears, overwhelmed by emotion. This loss of 46 years was as fresh as if it had occurred yesterday.

She leaned toward me,...

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What Good Mothers Do: 6 Essential Habits for Self-Care

(2) Comments | Posted August 22, 2012 | 4:04 PM

We all know that a good mother should be loving, nurturing, giving, and kind to her children. But can a good mother offer those same traits to herself? As a mother and stepmother of five children, I've learned the importance of self-care. I also know how difficult it...

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Get Over It! (And Other Things That Grievers Cannot Do)

(95) Comments | Posted August 1, 2012 | 12:50 PM

I have been working with grievers for over 20 years. My grief book, Transcending Loss, was published 15 years ago and continues to help readers. One of the reasons for its enduring appeal is that it acknowledges the lifelong impact of grief. In it, I give grievers permission...

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6 Ways to Find Inner Peace No Matter What

(16) Comments | Posted July 16, 2012 | 6:30 AM

Life is full of situations that we deem "wonderful": weddings, new babies, pay raises, promotions, and vacations. It's so easy to feel happy and content when these wonderful events occur in our lives.

But life is equally full of "terrible" situations: getting fired, having cancer or a serious illness, death,...

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When Cancer Calls: 6 Ways to Find Peace of Mind When a Loved One Has Cancer

(4) Comments | Posted June 17, 2012 | 9:10 AM

I never wanted to join the Cancer Club. I never wanted to know intimately the difference between stage two and stage four. I never wanted to rearrange clients around my husband's surgery date. But then, it happened.

I heard the words that no one wants to hear: "It's cancerous." And...

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Grief Has No Closure (Fortunately)

(51) Comments | Posted May 31, 2012 | 7:30 AM

We live in a culture that avoids emotional discomfort. In fact, our society makes it easy to look for distractions and diversions from all things painful. If we can drink, eat, shop, play or Facebook grief away, we will.

But here's the truth -- losing a loved one is excruciatingly...

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The Secret to Extraordinary Love Every Day (And 6 Easy Ways to Make it Happen)

(25) Comments | Posted May 10, 2012 | 8:40 AM

In a word: appreciation. It sounds simple but its power is super-charged. The dual aspects of gratitude and recognition, both imbedded in the loving art of appreciation, are like sunshine and water to a plant.

As modern couples, we are at extreme risk for taking each other for...

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The No. 1 Cheapest Solution To Stress

(81) Comments | Posted April 27, 2012 | 6:40 AM

We all know that one of the best ways to manage stress is exercise. Of course, we could also include massages, vacations, and healthy food as effective stress managers. But all these solutions require special circumstances that cost us money and time -- money and time that we often don't...

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Everyday Love: 6 Habits for Creating Connection in Your Relationship

(2) Comments | Posted April 10, 2012 | 7:08 AM

A relationship is like a plant: It needs regular attention to stay healthy. Does your plant have enough sunlight? Is the soil a bit dry? Are the flowers drooping?

When we come home stressed and exhausted at the end of the day, the thought of sitting down for a...

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Your Bed, Shower and Car: 3 Places to Find Peace Every Day

(8) Comments | Posted April 2, 2012 | 7:50 AM

I know that you're busy. You're juggling work, family obligations and personal goals. I know that you're stressed. You've got financial pressures, time constraints, health concerns and house projects. Who has the time to relax when you can barely keep your head above water? You do!

Taken from my recent...

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What Not to Say to a Griever (And What You Should Say or Do Instead)

(15) Comments | Posted March 14, 2012 | 7:34 PM

Grief is one of the most universal of human experiences. Virtually every single person you know, including yourself, will eventually lose a loved one. Grief is the great equalizer, experienced by everyone in spite of their wealth, education, health or fame. While some people experience loss earlier and more traumatically...

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Portkeys to Inner Peace: 5 Doorways to Serenity

(1) Comments | Posted February 23, 2012 | 7:30 AM

It's tempting to think that you need the tropical beach, the hammock by the lake, the walk in the woods, the yoga retreat or the special meditation cushion in order to feel the "ahhhhh" of inner peace. We all have certain props or places that we use to jump start...

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How to Date Your Mate: 6 Tips to Fan the Flame on Valentine's Day

(5) Comments | Posted February 10, 2012 | 7:00 PM

It's Valentine's day again and no doubt restaurants will be full of star-struck, dopamine-heavy couples falling in love. Some may even be getting engaged. But if you've been coupled for a while, Valentine's day may feel routine. In fact, you may be at that stage where your sweetheart is dangerously...

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