37. From Testing to Teamwork: Dr. Alison LaFollette's Journey to Mountain Valley
Release Date: 07/24/2024
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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...
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55. How to Parent Anxious Children Using S.P.A.C.E. with Amy Killy LICSW
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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 shifting their responses to their child anxiety, research shows there can be a significant and long lasting reduction in anxiety symptoms. Amy discusses the common pitfalls parents of anxious children...
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54. From Fear to Confidence: How Supportive Immersion Sparks Youth Resilience
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In this episode Zack engages in a dynamic conversation with Dr. Heather Tracy and Dr. Danny Recio, co-founders of and the 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, and self-doubt. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Tracy and Dr. Recio explain how designing intentional, real-world challenges—backed by empathy, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving—empowers students to...
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53. Embracing Sensitivity and Strength: Gin Majka’s Journey through Anxiety
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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 supportive environment and exposure-based therapies helped her accept discomfort, embrace vulnerability, and set her on a path towards healing and self-discovery. Today, Gin thrives as a freelance...
info_outlineIn this week’s episode of the Fear Less Podcast, Zack sits down with the new clinical director of Mountain Valley, Dr. Alison LaFollette. Alison brings a wide array of expertise and experience to Mountain Valley. With a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas, extensive post-doctoral work at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute, and a wide range of professional experiences across multiple mental health settings, Alison has fostered a deep and holistic understanding mental health and how to support individuals with a variety of mental health challenges. Her unique approach, which focuses on leveraging clients' strengths and values while addressing their challenges, aligns perfectly with Mountain Valley’s mission.
Prior to coming to Mountain Valley, Alison was running her own business, providing neuropsychological testing to youth in residential programs and other settings across the United States. In this episode she discusses her passion for neuropsychological testing, highlighting how it enhances clinical practice and how she plans to integrate it into Mountain Valley’s clinical approach. She also discusses her excitement for working in a team environment and her plans for further integrating recreational therapy and occupational therapy into Mountain Valley’s holistic therapeutic model. This episode provides listeners with a deeper understanding of Alison’s personal and professional experience, her innovative approaches to treatment, and her vision for the future of the Mountain Valley clinical treatment.
Zack’s Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack talks about how play can help us fear less!
Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.