In this insightful episode Zack talks with Sharon McCallie-Stellar, Director of Family and Transition Services at Mountain Valley and the innovative mind behind the Mountain Valley Transitions Program. Sharon shares her groundbreaking work on a 90-day transition program that aims to support individuals grappling with anxiety as they transition from a structured residential treatment setting back into more familiar environments, whether that be home, school, or elsewhere.

In the discussion, Sharon outlines the core components of the comprehensive Mountain Valley Transition Program. She speaks about the "parallel process" model of working with both the family and the individual transitioning out of residential care, through providing individualized parent coaching and individual mentorship. She also discusses the programs philosophical foundation in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and holistic healthy living practices, as she provides practical examples of how mentors and parents coaches guide participants through the challenges of everyday life.

Through anecdotes and stories from current families in the program, Sharon provides insight into how the Mountain Valley Transitions Program facilitates remarkable growth, confidence, and resilience not just for the individual, but for the entire family system. By emphasizing goal setting, problem-solving, and the reinforcement of therapeutic gains, this integrated approach to transition creates a space where skills from treatment can be effectively integrated into one's life, so the family is not only adjusting to life outside the residential setting, but truly thriving in it.

Zack's Hack's- In this week's hack, Zack shares how you can provide effective support to someone else who is struggling with anxiety.

Fear less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.