17. Embracing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Insights from Antoinette Moody
Release Date: 01/10/2024
65. Befriending Fear: Why We Have Anxiety and How to Use It
Fear Less
In this powerful solo Zack dives deep into the functional purpose of anxiety and how it can actually serve us rather than sabotage us. Drawing on his clinical experience and personal reflections, Zack reframes anxiety as a messenger, something that, when listened to and understood, can be a powerful motivator and guide. Using real-life examples from his own life and his work at Mountain Valley Treatment Center, Zack explores the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral responses triggered by anxiety and how we can tune into those responses to prepare, adapt, and thrive rather than shut down...
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64. Living with ADHD: Dr. Roberto Olivardia on Managing Anxiety, OCD & Executive Functioning
Fear Less
In this compelling episode Zack sits down with renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Roberto Olivardia to explore the realities of living with ADHD and how it intersects with anxiety, OCD, and executive functioning. A lecturer at and clinical associate at , Dr. Olivardia brings both professional expertise and personal insight as someone who has lived with ADHD his entire life. The conversation dives deep into what ADHD actually is, how it’s often misunderstood, and why people with ADHD often experience high levels of stress and anxiety due to environmental expectations and internal challenges....
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63. Fear of Letting Go: The Intersection of OCD and Hoarding Disorder with Christin Brown LICSW
Fear Less
In this episode Zack welcomes 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 obsessive-compulsive tendencies, offering a nuanced understanding of hoarding behaviors—ranging from emotional attachment to objects to digital hoarding like excessive photo saving or unopened tabs. This episode is a must-listen for mental health professionals,...
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62. OCD & Addiction: Hidden Connections and Concurrent Paths to Healing with Jayme Valdez LMHC
Fear Less
In this episode Zack welcomes Jayme Valdez, a licensed mental health counselor and founder of . 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 concurrent treatment model that acknowledges their shared compulsive patterns. Drawing from both her clinical expertise and personal experience, Jayme highlights the importance of evidence-based interventions, harm...
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61. Mountain Valley's History, Culture, and Alumni Support Network with Carl Lovejoy
Fear Less
In this episode Zack welcomes Carl Lovejoy, one of the co-founders of 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 center’s humble beginnings in Pike, New Hampshire, with just four families and how it grew into a nationally recognized residential treatment program. Carl and Zack discuss the transition to the Plainfield campus, which offered greater...
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60. From Struggle to Strength: Parenting an Anxious Child
Fear Less
In this episode Zack sits down with Nicole Carosi, the mother of a former 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 at Mountain Valley, and the nonlinear path toward healing. Throughout their discussion, Zack, who was Isabella’s therapist during her time at Mountain Valley, offers unique insight into her therapeutic journey, including the...
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59. OT’s Role in Mental Health with Mountain Valley’s Executive Director Zack Schafer
Fear Less
In this insightful solo episode, Zack dives into the vital role of occupational therapy (OT) in mental health treatment, particularly at . 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 anxiety and OCD. Through personal stories and professional insights, Zack highlights how occupational therapy fosters healing through engagement, functionality, and community connection. Listeners will gain a rich understanding...
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58. Occupational Therapy & Mental Health: Camille’s Journey to Helping Teens Overcome Anxiety
Fear Less
In this episode Zack talks with Camille Wrege, an occupational therapist at , 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 occupational therapy. She highlights the role of OT in supporting young people by improving functional skills like hygiene, social participation, executive functioning, and independent living. Camille also discusses the intersection of OT...
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57. Breaking the Cycle of Fear: A Mother and Son’s Story of Healing
Fear Less
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 counselor. Amy, a psychotherapist, reflects on the challenges of recognizing Hayden’s anxiety, the difficult decision to send him to treatment, and the powerful impact of family therapy. Together, they...
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56. Building Resilient Youth: Russell Shaw on Parenting, Technology, and Education
Fear Less
In this episode Zack interviews Russell Shaw, Head of School at Georgetown Day School in Washington D.C., and a contributing writer for 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 school to foster deeper social connections among students and reduce the mental health challenges exacerbated by excessive screen time. He also introduces the concept of "lighthouse parenting," a metaphor...
info_outlineIn this episode Zack interviews Antoinette Moody MA, a clinician with over a decade of experience in the mental health field and an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Antoinette explains ACT as a therapy that involves accepting one's inner experiences to commit to living a valued life. She breaks down the acronym ACT, where 'A' stands for acceptance of internal experiences, 'C' for connecting with values, and 'T' for taking effective action towards those values. She emphasizes that ACT is about changing how one responds to internal experiences rather than the experiences themselves. This approach is particularly effective when paired with exposure response prevention therapy (ERP), commonly used in treating anxiety and OCD at Mountain Valley Treatment Center.
The episode delves into how ACT is applied in real-life situations, illustrating with examples such as dealing with the fear of vomiting (emetophobia) and the urge to eat junk food. Antoinette explains how ACT enables individuals to live their valued lives despite persistent fears or urges by accepting these feelings and committing to value-driven actions. She also introduces thought diffusion, a technique in ACT to help individuals unhook from their thoughts and respond effectively. The discussion extends to how ACT complements exposure response prevention therapy, enhancing its effectiveness by addressing its blind spots and focusing on value-driven behavior.
Antoinette shares personal insights on how ACT has impacted her life, emphasizing the importance of therapists practicing what they preach. She recommends resources like the "Happiness Trap" book and the ACT Mindfully website for those interested in learning more about ACT.
Zack’s Anxiety Hack: Zack dives into how ACT through metaphors can help you become Fear less when dealing with an “unwanted party guest” named anxiety.
Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.