Fear Less

86. Anxiety Journey: From Mountain Valley Client to Anxiety Clinician

What happens when a teen who once struggled with anxiety and OCD grows up to help others face those same fears? In this episode Zack welcomes former Mountain Valley client, now Child Mind Institute clinician John Wyetzner, as he shares his powerful journey from school avoidance and OCD to evidence-based recovery. This episode unpacks what Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) truly looks like, how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports values-driven change, and the vital role of community in healing. For parents and clinicians, John offers practical insights into tackling intrusive thoughts, reassurance-seeking, and family accommodation. Discover actionable tips to help teens generalize their therapeutic gains back to home and school environments. This podcast provides clear resources, real hope, and essential next steps for effectively treating teen anxiety and OCD. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Jim Morrison, songwriter and musician to help you Fear Less! To find out more about John Weitzner and the Child Mind Institute check this website out- https://childmind.org/ [https://childmind.org/] Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

85. What If It's Not About Food? Understanding Fear and Eating Disorders

What if your child's struggle with food isn't really about food at all—but about fear? In this powerful episode of Fear Less, host Zack sits down with Libby Parker, a registered dietitian, certified eating disorder specialist, and author of Permission to Eat, to explore how fear, anxiety, and control often lie at the heart of eating disorders. Drawing on both her personal recovery and clinical expertise, Libby explains how restrictive or binge cycles develop, why they can be so difficult to break, and how compassionate, evidence-based approaches—like exposure therapy—can help young people find freedom and self-trust again. Parents will gain practical insight into recognizing early warning signs, understanding the role of fear in their child's behaviors, and responding with curiosity instead of panic. Together, Zack and Libby illuminate the deep connection between anxiety and disordered eating—and offer hope that recovery begins when families and clinicians work together to loosen fear's hold. Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Jenni Schaefer, author of "Life without Ed" to help you Fear Less! To find out more about Libby Parker check out her Theraden weblink- https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/libby-parker-ms-rd-cdn-ceds-c-new-york-ny [https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/libby-parker-ms-rd-cdn-ceds-c-new-york-ny] Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center. [https://mountainvalleytreatment.org/]

84. From Avoidant to Values Driven: How ACT Helps Teens Embrace Anxiety

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/]

83. Productive Struggle Over Fragility: How to Raise Braver Teens with Lynn Lyons

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/]

82. From Anxious Athlete to Anxiety Expert: Katharine Call on Sports and Mental Health

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/]