In this week's episode of Fear Less, Will and Zack discuss school phobia and the state of youth anxiety with Ira Hayes, a licensed clinical social worker who owns his own outpatient practice and serves as the Director of Programs at the Center for Wellness in New Jersey. Ira is a practitioner, educator, and professional speaker who specializes in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders, with a specific focus on "school phobia." In this discussion, Ira shares his insights on the rise of anxiety disorders among students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and how he utilizes exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy to help students lean into their fears, build resilience, and find.

This conversation extends beyond the pragmatics of anxiety treatment and highlights social cultural patterns, such as the shift towards comfort and the onset of technology, which have played a role in rising incidence rates of youth anxiety. Ira, Will, and Zack share personal stories and reflect on the importance of providing opportunities for hard work, failure, and a sense of community to help children and adolescents develop a sense of grit and resiliency. Ira is a passionate and knowledgeable professional who offers an invaluable perspective for parents, educators, and mental health professionals to consider when attempting to address the youth anxiety epidemic.

Zack's Hack: In this week's anxiety hack Zack talks about how doing hard work can help our mental health.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.