We recently had the privilege of having an insightful session with Dr. Ash Shishodia, Medical Director at Thrive Wellbeing Centre. An experienced Consultant Psychiatrist with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Shishodia has delivered impactful and high-quality mental health services across the UK, New Zealand, and the UAE. Committed to excellence and expertise in managing high-risk cases, he has a forward-thinking approach in his practices, fostering collaborative and meaningful relationships with his clients and team.
Apart from his expertise in the medical field, Dr. Shishodia is also a literary expert, authoring thrillers and non-fiction novels. At Thrive, Dr. Ash Shishodia offers strategic insights and patient-centric innovative solutions, building a sustainable environment for both patients and clinicians to thrive. (Known for his forward-thinking leadership and patient-centred approach, he has built collaborative systems of care where both clinicians and patients can truly thrive.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Shishodia is also an accomplished author, writing both thrillers and non-fiction works that explore the human condition through narrative and reflection.)
Spark Behind the Journey
We started the interview by asking, “What inspired you to pursue a career in psychiatry and later take on the role of Medical Director?”
Dr. Shishodia shared, “Psychiatry drew me in because it confronts the most intimate aspects of the human experience: the unseen struggles, the silent suffering, the stories that rarely get told. From the very start, I realized it wasn’t just about diagnosis or treatment, it was about truly understanding a person’s inner world. Stepping into the role of Medical Director at Thrive Wellbeing Centre allowed me to expand that understanding beyond individual patients to entire systems of care. I realized I could influence how care is delivered, how teams are nurtured, and how a culture of empathy and rigor is maintained. Leadership, for me, became an extension of the therapeutic process: guiding, supporting, and creating environments where both patients and clinicians can thrive.”
An Advice to Younger Self
Intrigued to learn of Dr. Ash Shishodia’s growth in the journey over the years and his perspective on the field after joining Thrive, we asked, “Looking back at your early years in leadership, what advice would you give yourself that could have made the journey smoother?”
“I would tell my younger self to embrace patience and humility. Early on, I equated leadership with having all the answers, but real leadership is about truly listening and allowing others to grow alongside you. At Thrive, I learned that the most profound breakthroughs often emerge from collaboration and quiet perseverance, rather than from forceful direction. Vulnerability, I’ve realized, is a source of strength; it invites trust, fosters resilience, and builds enduring connections,” he replied.
A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Mental health often presents challenges without clear solutions. To learn more, we asked Dr. Ash Shishodia, “How do you approach complex cases or situations where the path forward isn’t straightforward?”
Dr. Shishodia explained, “I approach complexity with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to sit with discomfort. There’s rarely a linear path in mental health, and sometimes the most powerful interventions come from holding space, rather than imposing solutions. At Thrive, this translates into multidisciplinary collaboration and iterative care constantly adjusting, learning, and responding to the patient’s evolving story. I’ve found that progress often emerges in subtle ways: a shift in perspective, a small step toward trust, or a moment of connection that opens a new door.”
An Agile and Grounded Leadership Approach
We further asked, “If you had to describe your leadership style in one word, what would it be, and why?”
“Grounded — in a field that is emotionally intense and often unpredictable, people need steadiness. Being grounded doesn’t mean being rigid; it means being consistently present, adaptable, and emotionally available, able to hold uncertainty without transferring anxiety or doubt to the team. At Thrive, this approach has allowed our clinicians to take risks, innovate, and feel supported even in high-stakes situations,” Dr. Shishodia reflected.
A Major Breakthrough in the Professional Path
Challenges are an inevitable part of every professional journey, often leading to major breakthroughs. Intrigued to learn about similar experiences of Dr. Ash Shishodia, we asked, “In your career, what has been a challenge that turned into a breakthrough moment for you or your team?”
He reflected, “One of the earliest challenges was integrating a more holistic, patient-centred model in a setting accustomed to compartmentalized care. At Thrive, we began bringing psychiatrists, therapists, and allied professionals together in structured, collaborative discussions. The moment the team began to view patients’ challenges from multiple angles, everything shifted; the culture changed, patient outcomes improved, and the team rediscovered purpose and inspiration. That taught me that breakthroughs are rarely about one person’s insight; they emerge when systems, processes, and hearts align.”
Adaptability Amidst Changes
The mental health field is constantly evolving. As an expert in this field, we asked Dr. Ash Shishodia to share his perspective on transforming one thing about the way mental health services are delivered today, if he could.
He responded, “Integration and continuity. Patients often navigate fragmented systems, repeating their stories, and facing gaps in care. At Thrive, we strive to provide a cohesive journey where therapy, psychiatry, digital tools, and community support are seamlessly connected. Mental health care should feel like a hand through uncertainty, not a maze to be solved alone.”
Balancing Creative Endeavours with Profession
Lastly, we asked, “As both a psychiatrist and an author, how do your experiences in medicine influence your writing, and vice versa?”
“Psychiatry exposes you to the rawest forms of human emotion: suffering, resilience, hope, and despair. Writing allows me to explore these textures with honesty and reflection, giving them narrative shape and emotional resonance. Conversely, writing has deepened my clinical practice. Both practices enrich each other. It reminds me to listen for nuance, to embrace ambiguity, and to see every patient as a narrative still unfolding. At Thrive, this interplay between medicine and storytelling enriches both my leadership and my ability to guide others through complex human experiences,” Dr. Shishodia added.
Dr. Shishodia has authored thrillers, including The Shadow Spy and its sequels, as well as reflective non-fiction works. Each of his books is a continuation of his fascination with the inner landscapes of the human mind.
Looking Ahead
When asked what excites him most about the future, Dr. Shishodia concluded:
“The future of mental health lies in compassion meeting innovation. Whether it’s digital tools, integrated care models, or simply a deeper human connection, we have the chance to make mental health services truly seamless and humane. That’s the path I’m committed to building at Thrive.”
Connect with Dr. Ash Shishodia on LinkedIn to learn more about his journey and find his books on Amazon.
Follow Thrive Wellbeing Centre on LinkedIn and visit their website www.thrive.ae.
Also Read:-
Mirela Sejdinovic: Delivering Expert Event Solutions with Infinity Pulse Events
About Author
