In this week's episode of Fear Less, Zack sits down with Bailey Cohen, a former resident of Mountain Valley and now, a thriving member of the organization as residential staff member. Bailey is currently studying forensic psychology at Johnson and Wales College and is employed as a summer intern at Mountain Valley after working this past year as per diem staff on weekends and holidays. In this discussion, Bailey shares about her transformative journey from a resident struggling with severe anxiety and emetophobia to a dedicated member of the treatment team, supporting others who face similar challenges.

Through this candid conversation, Bailey delves into her experience with exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, shedding light on the innovative techniques that helped her regain control over her life. She shares how this transformative experience in the Mountain Valley program inspired her to want to help others and has led her to return to Mountain Valley as a staff and pursue a career in mental health. Bailey’s heartfelt narrative offers listeners a profound understanding of the lived experience of someone with anxiety and OCD, the importance of community in mental recovery, and how one’s can turn their mental health struggles into their biggest superpower.

Zack’s Hack: In this week's anxiety hack Zack discusses interoceptive exposures and how to create exposure exercises at home that can help combat the physical symptoms of anxiety.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.