Fear Less

Licensed professional counselor Kelsey Irving joins Zack to demystify Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how it helps teens with anxiety and OCD—especially when paired with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Kelsey breaks ACT down into parent-friendly language: accept tough thoughts and feelings without wrestling them, then commit to actions that serve your child’s values (family, school, friendships). She shares clear metaphors teens actually remember (leaves on a stream, “bring the monkey with you”) and explains “defusion” and mindfulness as practical skills that make scary moments doable—like showing up for a game, riding in the car, or eating with friends. Parents will also hear why family involvement matters at every age, how to stop unintentionally accommodating compulsions, and what to do when a teen says, “I don’t want to feel this way anymore.” Kelsey draws on her OCD-specialist training (IOP/PHP), her virtual therapy & coaching work across state lines, and her children’s ACT book, Jacob in the Cloud, to offer simple—but not always easy—steps that build psychological flexibility, reduce reassurance cycles, and move teens toward a bigger life. Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Les Brown to help you Fear Less! To find out more about Kelsey Irving and the resources she talks about check out her website: https://steadfastpsychology.com/ [https://steadfastpsychology.com/] Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

Parents today are swimming in mental-health advice—some helpful, a lot confusing. In this episode Zack sits down with psychotherapist Lynn Lyons [https://www.lynnlyons.com/] (author of Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents and host of the “Flusterclux” [https://www.flusterclux.com/] podcast) to cut through the noise. Lynn explains why anxiety thrives on over-talking, endless reassurance, and “safety chatter,” and how well-meaning accommodations at home and school can accidentally make avoidance worse. She offers concrete, doable shifts for parents: talk 85% less, model approach instead of avoidance, build autonomy, and invite “productive struggle” so teens learn they can handle discomfort. You’ll also hear practical guidance for school refusal (what to change tonight and how to partner with the school), why stress ≠ trauma, and how to replace fragility language with skills and confidence. If your teen is anxious—and you’re anxious about what to do—this conversation gives you a clear playbook and renewed hope. Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from LR Nost to help you Fear Less! To find out more about Lynn Lyonns and the resources she talks about check out her website: https://www.lynnlyons.com/ [https://www.lynnlyons.com/] Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

In this episode Zack talks with Mountain Valley clinician Katharine Call, who opens up about her journey from professional skiing to living with—and ultimately overcoming—anxiety. Katharine shares how the pressures of competitive athletics, from ski academies to the U.S. national team, intensified her struggles with emetophobia and performance-related fears. She describes how her anxiety often went unnoticed or was misunderstood as physical illness, and the turning point that came when she finally received the right mental health support. Parents of anxious teens—especially those navigating sports—will find this conversation both relatable and hopeful. Katharine reflects on the hidden pressures of specializing too early, the importance of building an identity outside of athletics, and the role exposure therapy and balance played in her recovery. Her story offers valuable insights for families supporting a teen athlete wrestling with anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt, and reminds us that courage and strength are often found in the midst of fear. Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from MMA fighter Ronda Rousey to help you Fear Less! Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

In this week's episode Zack talks with Nichol Ernst, LCSW, CEO/Clinical Director and co-owner of Summit Achievement, [https://summitachievement.com/] to unpack how the outdoors and adventure therapy help anxious teens. Nichol explains Summit’s integrated treatment model—weekly rhythms of accredited academics, individualized therapy, and guided outdoor experiences—that turns nature into a practical lab for exposure, executive functioning, and confidence-building. They explore why time outside reduces avoidance, increases presence, and helps reframe fear—especially for school anxiety/school refusal, OCD/ERP carryover, and neurodivergent (ASD) teens who benefit from sensory input and structured challenge.  The conversation highlights parent coaching and family-system change, perceived vs. actual risk in the outdoors, and how real-world wins on trail translate to the classroom and home. Nichol also addresses the history and evolution of “wilderness therapy,” best practices, and why today’s outdoor behavioral healthcare is data-informed, licensed, and collaborative. Hope and next steps for families round out the episode. Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote about how time in the outdoors can address anxiety. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

On this episode Zack talks with Mountain Valley alumna—and current OT grad student—Amelia Teta about what truly helps when anxiety and OCD take over. Amelia traces her path from school avoidance to meaningful engagement, highlighting how Mountain Valley’s evidence-based approach—especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—taught her to “be with” difficult emotions instead of resisting them. She unpacks the role of community, stewardship (chores and contribution), routines, and mental-health-informed occupational therapy in building confidence and everyday function. Candid, practical, and hopeful, this conversation offers families and caregivers a clear view of what effective anxiety/OCD treatment looks like—and how to keep the momentum going after discharge. Zack Hack- In this week’s anxiety hack Zack shares a quote about fear from Eleanor Roosevelt. Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]