Fear Less

In this episode Zack welcomes  Christin Brown, a licensed independent clinical social worker and OCD  specialist based in Massachusetts. Christin has a subspecialty in Hoarding Disorder, and in this conversation, her and Zack delve into this often-misunderstood diagnosis and its relationship to OCD. Christin shares her professional insights as well as her personal experiences with anxiety and obse...

In this episode Zack welcomes Jayme Valdez, a licensed mental health counselor and founder of  Clearview OCD Counseling . Jayme specializes in treating OCD, anxiety, trauma, and addiction, and she shares her unique approach to addressing the overlap between OCD and addictive disorders. She challenges the traditional belief that OCD and addiction must be treated separately, advocating for a concurr...

In this episode Zack welcomes Carl Lovejoy, one of the co-founders of Mountain Valley Treatment Center, to reflect on the center's origins and evolution. Carl shares his journey from working in independent schools to helping establish Mountain Valley in 2011, recognizing the need for specialized support for high-achieving students struggling with anxiety and related disorders. He recounts the cent...

In this episode Zack sits down with Nicole Carosi, the mother of a former Mountain Valley Treatment Center resident, Isabella. Nicole shares an intimate look into her family's journey with Isabella's anxiety, perfectionism, and depression, detailing the struggles that led them to seek intensive treatment. She reflects on the challenges of parenting an anxious child, the decision to enroll Isabella...

In this insightful solo episode, Zack dives  into the vital role of occupational therapy (OT) in mental health treatment, particularly at Mountain Valley Treatment Center . Zack shares his personal journey into the OT field, the therapeutic power of meaningful activity, and how Mountain Valley integrates OT principles into their residential program for adolescents and young adults struggling with...

 In this episode Zack talks with Camille Wrege, an occupational therapist at Mountain Valley Treatment Center , about her journey into occupational therapy (OT) and how she applies it to mental health treatment for teenagers with anxiety and OCD. Camille shares her personal background, including how early experiences with her grandfather and a passion for holistic care led her to pursue occupation...

In this episode Zack sits down with Hayden Fleischer and his mother, Amy, to discuss Hayden's transformative journey through Mountain Valley Treatment Center. Hayden, who once struggled with debilitating anxiety that kept him out of school for months at a time, shares his experience of overcoming fear, rebuilding his confidence, and ultimately returning to Mountain Valley as a residential counselo...

In this episode Zack interviews Russell Shaw, Head of School at Georgetown Day School in Washington D.C., and a contributing writer for  The Atlantic . The conversation explores Russell's journey from politics to education and his profound insights on the intersection of parenting, technology, and education. Russell shares the rationale and impact of implementing a cell phone ban in his high schoo...

In this episode Zack interviews Amy Killy, a licensed clinical social worker from Washington D.C. who specializes in working with anxious children and their parents. Amy provides a deep dive into S.P.A.C.E. (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment, a model designed to empower parents to effectively respond to their child's anxiety. Through focusing on parent behavior and shi...

In this episode Zack engages in a dynamic conversation with Dr. Heather Tracy and Dr. Danny Recio, co-founders of New Summit Academy and the Bridge program in Costa Rica. They dive into their unique approach called "Supportive Immersion," a model that combines cultural integration, experiential learning, and relationship-centered scaffolding to help adolescents and young adults face anxiety, fear,...

In this inspiring episode Zack talks with former Mountain Valley resident, Gin Majka, who candidly shares her journey through anxiety, perfectionism, and the path to self-discovery. As an 18-year-old facing severe panic attacks and academic pressure, Gin's time at Mountain Valley served as a turning point in her young life. Now, nearly a decade after graduating the program, Gin reflects on how the...

In this episode Zack talks with Ciara Fanlo, founder of The Homing Instinct , a mentoring program for teens. Drawing on her own experience as a "troubled teen," Ciara recounts the challenges she faced in adolescence—ranging from crippling anxiety and perfectionism to questioning her sense of belonging. Through wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools, and a series of transformative treatme...

In this heartfelt episode Zack sits down with Chris Leston, the Executive Director and founder of Away Recovery, a treatment program dedicated to helping individuals overcome substance use challenges located in Pike, N.H. Chris shares his personal journey through addiction and recovery, offering deep insight into the complex world of substance use disorders and the pivotal role the fear and anxiet...

In this enlightening episode Zack welcomes back Ira Hayes, a licensed clinical social worker from New Jersey, to discuss the transformative power of the growth mindset. Ira has an incredible passion for the transformative power of growth mindset and has extensive experience integrating growth mindset into school systems and therapeutic practices. In this episode, Ira unpacks the essence of what gr...

In this episode Zack interviews Becca Winant, the Admissions Manager at Mountain Valley Treatment Center. With nearly eight years of experience at Mountain Valley, Becca shares her journey from starting as a residential counselor to becoming a key figure who guides families through the admissions process. She discusses her passion for working with adolescents struggling with anxiety and related di...

In this heartfelt episode Zack sits down with Emma, a psychotherapist and mother of two, who shares her deeply personal journey of helping her son navigate severe anxiety and OCD during his adolescence. Despite her professional background, Emma found herself grappling with the overwhelming challenges of her son's mental health struggles, which began to surface intensely when he was in sixth grade....

In this episode Zack sits down with Sarah Bennison, the co-founder and CEO of The Mattering Movement . They explore the profound impact of "mattering"—the feeling of being valued and making meaningful contributions—on mental health, particularly among adolescents struggling with anxiety and related disorders. Drawing from her extensive background in education and service learning, Sarah discusses...

In this special episode of the Fear Less podcast, host Zack Schafer and Mountain Valley's clinical director Alison LaFollette present live from the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Conference on how the integration of occupational therapy (OT) and counseling psychology can transform mental health treatment. Their talk explores the shared theoretical foundations of...

In this episode of the Fear Less podcast, Zack interviews Patrick Babcock, the founder and CEO of Foundation House, a behavioral health and substance abuse treatment program for young men in Portland, Maine. They explore the deep connections between fear, anxiety, and substance use, discussing how these factors intertwine in the lives of individuals struggling with addiction. Patrick shares his pe...

In this episode of the Fear Less Podcast, Zack interviews Dr. Anne Marie Albano, renowned expert in anxiety and founder of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders . Dr. Albano shares her deep insights on childhood and ado lescent anxiety, the importance of family involvement in treatment, and her developmental approach to helping children overcome anxiety while navigating...

In this powerful episode of the Fear Less Podcast, host Zack welcomes Danielle, a former resident of Mountain Valley Treatment Center, who courageously shares her personal journey of battling anxiety, self-harm, and other mental health challenges. Danielle opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to seek treatment, including how her anxiety-driven self-harm became a coping mechanism. She of...

In this episode of the Fear Less Podcast, host Zack interviews Professor Mary Beth Gallagher from Duke University. With over 25 years of experience in occupational therapy across the U.S. and abroad, Mary Beth shares her insights on how fear shapes and impacts mental health care systems. The conversation highlights the risk-averse nature of mental health care environments and how fear of litigatio...

In this episode Zack is joined by Joanna Lilley, a therapeutic consultant and podcaster who specializes in helping young adults and their families navigate the complex transitions of young adulthood.  As a therapeutic consultant, Joanna offers proactive support that helps young adults "launch" into a college, gap year program, vocational opportunity, etc. Joanna also offers reactive support, helpi...

In this special episode of the "Fear Less" podcast, Zack sits down with alumni at the annual Mountain Valley Reunion so they can share their stories of fear, anxiety, and triumph. On August 10 th , Mountain Valley welcomed back over 35 alumni residents and families to reconnect as a community and celebrate the life changing experience they had during their time in the program. Each year the reunio...

In this episode of the  Fear Less podcast, host Zack engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Heather Kuhaneck, a seasoned expert in occupational therapy and sensory processing. Dr. Kuhaneck, who has dedicated over 30 years to the field, shares her insights into the complexities of sensory processing and how it intertwines with fear and anxiety. The discussion delves into the eight sensory syst...