What actually helps a young person overwhelmed by anxiety or OCD—and how do parents know when it's time for something more than weekly therapy? In this episode Zack sits down with Ashley Metz, a longtime clinician at Mountain Valley Treatment Center, to reflect on her years working closely with adolescents and families. Ashley shares what she has learned from walking alongside young people who felt misunderstood, stuck, or unable to access daily life—and how healing often begins when pressure is reduced and kids are given space to be themselves.

This conversation offers parents a thoughtful look at why anxiety and OCD can become so consuming, especially in today's world of constant technology, academic pressure, and identity stress. Ashley explains how residential treatment can help by removing distractions, creating safety, and allowing kids to practice real-life skills in a supportive community. She also speaks about the importance of joy, play, and feeling truly seen—not just "fixed." For parents wondering how to support their child while holding onto hope, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a deeper understanding of the healing process.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Benjamin Franklin, about ways to Fear Less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What happens when anxiety, self-doubt, and a major life transition collide?—and how do you find your way back? In this episode Zack sits down with Shane Holcomb, a former Mountain Valley resident and current University of Colorado Boulder student, to explore the real challenges of anxiety during the transition to college. Shane reflects on how social anxiety, loss of confidence, and impulsive behaviors—including sports gambling—began to take hold when he assumed his struggles would disappear just by going to college.

Through candid storytelling, Shane shares how treatment helped him rebuild self-trust, confront fear through exposure work, and rediscover joy, confidence, and purpose. From learning to ride a bike at 19 to reclaiming his passion for sports without addiction attached, this conversation highlights recovery as a process—not a quick fix. It offers hope to young people who feel stuck and reassurance to parents navigating high-stakes decisions about support, treatment, and the path forward.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Susie Kassam,who is an American writer, poet and philosopher.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

What happens when autism, anxiety, and OCD look so similar that even caring parents and professionals can't tell what's driving the behavior? In this episode of the Fear Less podcast, host Zack talks with Dr. Alison LaFollette, Clinical Director at Mountain Valley Treatment Center, about why these conditions so often overlap—and how to start separating what's sensory, what's anxiety, and what's OCD. Dr. LaFollette explains the core autism criteria (social communication differences plus rigidity/routines, transitions, specific interests, and sensory sensitivities) and shares why anxiety is so common for neurodivergent kids navigating a world not built for them.

They also dig into treatment: ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) can work for autistic teens with anxiety/OCD, but it often needs smart adjustments. Dr. LaFollette highlights the importance of practicing exposures across many settings (so learning generalizes), building real-life skills alongside ERP, and checking understanding with open-ended reflection instead of "Does that make sense?" The takeaway for parents: the goal isn't "no accommodations" or "accommodate everything"—it's a balanced plan that reduces suffering, supports regulation, and helps your child build a meaningful, more independent life.

Zack's Hack- In this week's anxiety hack Zack shares a quote from Emily Swiatek, "Girl Unmasked: How Uncovering My Autism Saved My Life."

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.