In 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.

In this heartfelt solo episode of the Fear Less Podcast, host Zack Schafer shares his intimate journey into fatherhood. Zack opens up about the fears and anxieties he experienced through the process of welcoming his first son, Micah James, into the world. Reflecting on his experiences from late pregnancy, through childbirth, and now one month into fatherhood, Zack discusses how fear served as an ally and played a crucial role in helping him transform into becoming the dad he wants to be. This episode takes a raw and insightful look into the realities of parenthood and the powerful role fear can play in helping us develop resilience, define our values, and find a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.

Listeners will find Zack's candid reflections both relatable and inspiring, whether they're parents themselves or simply someone facing their own fears in their life. Zack speaks to how fear can be leveraged and used a resource to become the person you were always meant to be. So tune in, and discover how fear can be a motivating force for positive change and along the way learn some practical strategies for how to effectively manage your own anxiety. Don't miss this touching episode that underscores the essence of the Fear Less Podcast: embracing fear as a friend, not a foe.

Zack hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack talks about values and how one can use their values to Fear Less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this week's episode of the Fear Less Podcast, Zack sits down with Dr. Caroline Trustee, a licensed professional counselor who holds a PhD in counseling from UNC Greensboro and currently works at all-girls private school in Washinton, D.C. In this episode, she shares her innovative perspective on how to support youth mental health within the school system and discusses the initiatives she has undertaken to ensure that social-emotional support is integrated into the everyday curriculum at her school, making it accessible for all students. This conversation delves into the many challenges faced by adolescents today, including the impact of social media and the importance of destigmatizing mental health support in educational settings.

Dr. Trustee also shares her unique perspective of working in a single-gender educational setting. She discusses the benefits of working with all girls, emphasizing how this dynamic can create a supportive culture that can be empowering for young women. With her expertise and experience in working with adolescent girls, Dr. Trustee shares insights on common stressors that adolescent girls face, the importance of holding space for emotional expression, and how her school focuses on a holistic approach to student well-being. This episode is packed with valuable information for educators, parents, and mental health professionals looking to better understand and support the intersection between adolescent mental health and education.

Zack’s Hack: In this week’s anxiety hack Zack talks about social media and its impact on anxiety.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.