Mountain Valley Treatment Center Archives - Mountain Valley Treatment Center

Staff Spotlight: Nathan Thoele

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Mountain Valley Treatment Center

Nathan Thoele is part of Mountain Valley’s leadership team, serving as the Residential Director. He leads a skilled team of residential counselors who work directly with MVTC residents on a 24/7 schedule. Nathan has a unique background that took him from working in summer camps, to AmeriCorps, to five years at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science as lead bird trainer and environmental educator. Today, he’s using his coaching and listening skills to ensure that MVTC is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

What brought you to Mountain Valley?
I thought I wanted to be an ecologist, so I went to Prescott College to get a degree in something related to that. While on that journey, I realized that my favorite part about ecology was teaching it to people. I switched to an environmental education degree. After graduating, I moved to Vermont to put that degree into practice. I worked as a camp counselor, a conservation assistant, and an educator. After a couple of years of that, I landed at VINS and became one of their live bird show presenters, their primary bird trainer, and their volunteer trainer.

I got really into training people and learned that I liked coaching people to do specific and complex things. My job at VINS was to train people to train birds, and I enjoyed helping my co-workers make sense of the confusing parts of the job.

After being there for a while, I realized I wanted to work with people more than animals. I started looking for the next step in my career and found Mountain Valley. I specifically came here with the desire to practice my skill of listening. At VINS, someone pointed out that I seemed to have a profound desire to listen to people. I thought that seemed true, and when the job at Mountain Valley popped up, I took a leap of faith to try something new.

Tell us how your position has evolved over the last five years.
Originally, I was hired for an overnight residential counselor position. Everett Logan knew I was interested in more adventure- and outdoor-related activities, so he kept an eye out for a day shift position for me. Once it opened, I slid over and started some module facilitation. I created the Nature’s Classroom module, which is still very popular with residents today, though it looks a little different now. I also created a module about interpersonal skills that residents loved. After that, I moved up to a supervisor position, and then the Residential Director position opened. I applied and got it.

I’ve worked on every shift the residential team has—days, evenings, weekends, nights. That experience made me feel confident that I could serve Mountain Valley well as the Residential Director. I have a good perspective on what the residential staff are expected to do and how they do it.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I have 21 people on my team and directly supervise the supervisors for each shift. When I come into the office each day, I check to make sure we’re on top of any incidents and review my email to coordinate parent visits. Then it’s a lot of bouncing around—a lot of my job is checking in with other residential counselors and meeting with the supervisors multiple times per week. I also spend time with residents, and they’ll frequently ask me logistical questions about what is or isn’t allowed on campus, how home visits work, whether they can move their assigned laundry day, and so on. I answer them and try to have some deeper-level conversations as well.

Back at my desk, I spend time planning trainings for staff, coordinating with parents of residents, reviewing documentation, answering emails that ask complex questions, and handling a myriad of other clerical tasks. And, of course, I attend several routine meetings each week, in addition to impromptu meetings designed to address incidents as they arise.

What qualities do you look for when you’re hiring a new residential counselor?
I want residential counselors to have the impulse to trust residents rather than doubt them. In psychological terms, that’s unconditional positive regard and client-centered thinking. Beyond that, I want our staff to have good empathetic listening skills—listening geared toward empathy, not just cognitive understanding.

It’s important for our staff to balance setting firm boundaries with being flexible. We want our staff to engage with residents and be willing to embrace some discomfort alongside them. I can train some of this, but it’s important to be a people person.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
The time I get to spend with residents and the breakthroughs I witness. Just a few days ago, I was walking through the woods with one of our residents, who tends to avoid all emotional topics. I broached that subject with him and asked him why. We ended up having a very emotional conversation that ended with him kneeling on the ground in the forest and crying. He told me some things that I and other MV staff knew indirectly but that he had not said to anyone face-to-face before. It was a first for him and a profound moment for both of us.

I see the members of my team grow as professionals, and that always brings me joy. I’ve spent many afternoons having hard and crucial discussions with some of my staff as they grapple with the tough work we do. Witnessing them make sense of the work is truly special.

And finally, I am compelled to grow constantly. After five years, I am still challenged. Sometimes the challenge feels like too much, sometimes not enough. But overall, I like that I can look at who I was even just one year ago and see how much I have changed for the better. What I find most rewarding about this job is growth. We’re all growing all the time, and I love that.

Why Summer Isn’t Always a Vacation for Teens with Anxiety

Posted on June 13, 2025June 13, 2025 by Mountain Valley Treatment Center

For most adults, summer evokes a sense of ease—time off, warmer days, fewer demands. It’s natural to assume that teens feel the same. And for many, they do. But for adolescents with anxiety, summer often brings less relief than expected. Some teens even become more dysregulated once school ends. Parents may wonder: How can my child be struggling when the stressors of school are gone? Isn’t summer supposed to be the easy season?

From a clinical perspective, there’s a clear explanation—and a path forward.

Why the Absence of Pressure Doesn’t Always Equal Peace

During the school year, structure provides containment. For an anxious teen, daily routines—waking up, attending classes, managing assignments—can serve as external regulators that help keep internal distress in check. While these routines may create pressure, they also offer predictability and rhythm.

Summer removes that structure. Days become unbounded. Routines dissolve. And for many teens with anxiety, this shift creates a destabilizing vacuum. Without a framework to organize time, they feel unmoored. Uncertainty increases, and with it, so does anxiety.

This speaks to a core trait in anxiety disorders: intolerance of uncertainty. The anxious brain struggles to tolerate the unknown, often preferring the discomfort of overstimulation to the perceived threat of having nothing to anchor to. In this context, summer’s wide-open freedom can feel less like a break and more like a cliff.

How the Anxiety Maintenance Cycle Shows Up in Summer

One of the most common patterns seen in anxious teens over the summer is a rise in avoidant behavior. With fewer external expectations, teens may begin to opt out of discomfort—social interactions, physical activity, even basic responsibilities. What may initially look like rest or “needing a break” can, in reality, become a retreat from the world.

Clinically, we understand this as the anxiety maintenance cycle: anxiety prompts avoidance, which provides short-term relief, which in turn reinforces the anxious belief that the avoided thing is dangerous. Over time, avoidance shrinks a teen’s world. What started as taking a few days off can quickly become chronic social withdrawal, disrupted sleep, loss of motivation, or increased reliance on maladaptive coping strategies.

At the same time, other teens go in the opposite direction. Sensing their child’s discomfort with open-ended time, some parents overcompensate—stacking the summer with camps, classes, college prep, and travel. While structure can be protective, overscheduling an anxious teen can trigger overcontrol, perfectionism, and performance anxiety, especially in those who mask their distress with high achievement.

In both scenarios—withdrawal or overdrive—the teen’s anxious nervous system is not regulating. It’s reacting.

Nervous System Dysregulation in the Absence of Anchors

Anxiety is not just a cognitive experience—it’s physiological. During the school year, daily movement, social engagement, intellectual stimulation, and consistent routines all serve as regulators. They provide feedback loops that help organize the nervous system.

When those inputs disappear, it’s not uncommon for teens to become dysregulated. Parents may observe increased irritability, emotional lability, fatigue, or somatic complaints (like headaches or GI issues). Sleep patterns may become erratic. Motivation may plummet. And without the demands of school to mask it, underlying distress rises to the surface.

This is why “just relaxing” rarely works as a strategy for teens with anxiety. The nervous system requires intentional regulation—not just time off.

What Can Parents Do?

There’s no universal summer strategy that works for every teen. But there are a few clinical principles that can help guide parents in supporting their child’s emotional health:

1. Create Light but Reliable Structure
Daily anchors—consistent sleep/wake times, meals, light physical activity, scheduled therapy—can restore rhythm without overwhelming. The structure doesn’t need to mimic school but should provide a scaffold to help the teen feel contained.

2. Watch for Patterns of Avoidance
Avoidance is the hallmark of anxiety. If your teen is consistently retreating from social situations, physical activity, or new experiences, it’s important to interrupt that pattern gently but directly. Help them take small steps back toward engagement—even when it’s uncomfortable.

3. Support Regulating Activities
Encourage movement, time in nature, creative expression, and face-to-face social interaction. These all support nervous system regulation. Excessive screen time, isolation, or late-night sleep schedules tend to do the opposite.

4. Don’t Wait for Motivation
Anxious teens often say they don’t “feel like” doing things that might help. Waiting for internal motivation before acting only reinforces avoidance. Instead, use behavioral activation—support them in engaging first, with the understanding that motivation often follows action, not the other way around.

5. Separate the Teen from the Anxiety
When teens push back on plans or resist doing hard things, it’s often the anxiety talking. Help them externalize it: “I wonder if your anxiety is telling you this will be too hard. What would it be like to push back on it instead of listening to it?”

6. Model Calm Executive Function
Anxiety thrives in ambiguity. If parents leave every decision up for negotiation, anxious teens will often default to avoidance. It’s okay—and often necessary—for parents to make calm, confident decisions, especially when anxiety is driving the conversation. Being empathic doesn’t mean being passive.

A Different Kind of Growth

Summer doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t need to be packed or left entirely open. What it can be is a space for developmentally appropriate challenge, nervous system recalibration, and increased emotional awareness.

Anxiety doesn’t take a vacation—but that doesn’t mean teens can’t learn to navigate it with more confidence. With a balance of routine, rest, and gentle exposure to discomfort, summer can be a season not of avoidance, but of quiet growth.

Navigating the Labyrinth of Anxiety: Empowering Young People and Their Families

Posted on November 20, 2024December 4, 2024 by Mountain Valley Treatment Center

Dr. Dan Villiers, co-founder of Mountain Valley Treatment Center, recently delivered an insightful talk at the center, exploring the intricacies of anxiety in young people and the profound impact it has on their families. This blog post summarizes the key points from his presentation, offering valuable strategies to help youths and their families navigate anxiety. If you are interested in viewing the full video of Dr. Villiers’ talk, please contact us.

The Silent Struggle: Understanding Youth Anxiety

In an era marked by unprecedented challenges and rapid societal shifts, anxiety has emerged as a pervasive force affecting young people and their families. The rise in anxiety disorders, particularly since the advent of the smartphone in 2010 and exacerbated by the global pandemic, calls for a nuanced understanding and compassionate treatment approach. Dr. Villiers provides invaluable insights into the complexities of anxiety and the pathways to healing.

Anxiety in young people often manifests subtly, weaving itself into daily life until it becomes overwhelming. Dr. Villiers shared his personal journey, reflecting on his severe anxiety at age 17 after leaving boarding school. His experiences with avoidance, resistance, and manipulation highlight a common thread among youths grappling with anxiety—they often resist treatment and delay or avoid confronting their fears.

The statistics are startling. Recent research indicates that approximately 30 percent of individuals will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. However, Dr. Villiers suggests that true diagnostic anxiety disorders—those severely interfering with social, emotional, and academic functioning—may affect about 7 to 10 percent of the population. This distinction underscores the importance of recognizing when anxiety surpasses normal stress and becomes a debilitating condition requiring professional intervention.

Parental Anxiety: The Hidden Catalyst

Parental anxiety plays a significant role in the treatment journey of young people. Parents often face guilt, fear of failure, and the overwhelming responsibility of making the right decisions for their child’s well-being. Dr. Villiers observed that parental anxiety can manifest as distraction, diversion, delay, anger, and defensiveness—factors that may inadvertently hinder their child’s progress.

During the pandemic, many parents overparented due to constant proximity and the challenges of remote schooling. As the world gradually returns to normal, some parents struggle to relinquish control, leading to indecision and anxiety about their child’s independence and engagement with the world.

The Paradox of Choice and the Fear of Stigma

In today’s information-rich environment, parents often feel overwhelmed by the numerous treatment options available. This “paralysis by analysis” results in inaction, as the fear of making the wrong decision prevents families from moving forward. Societal stigma surrounding mental health adds another layer of complexity. Worries about how treatment might be perceived can deter families from seeking necessary help.

Strategies for Overcoming Resistance and Building Trust

Dr. Villiers emphasized that commitment to treatment is a process, not a single event. Building trust between families and professionals is crucial. He shared key strategies to facilitate this journey:

Motivational Interviewing and Exposure Therapy: Gradually exposing individuals to the idea of treatment can reduce the fear and anxiety associated with it.
Collaborative Decision-Making: Professionals should partner with families, respecting their expertise on their child while providing informed guidance on treatment options.
Addressing Stigma Directly: Open conversations about mental health dispel myths and reduce stigma, encouraging families to seek help.
Managing Expectations and Prioritizing Concerns: Helping families focus on clinical needs and prioritize issues can alleviate anxiety.
Providing Reassurance and Data-Informed Guidance: Sharing treatment outcomes and success stories can inspire confidence while balancing hope with realistic expectations.

Navigating Information Overload

In the digital age, parents often turn to online forums and social media for information, which can be both helpful and harmful. While access to information is valuable, misinformation can increase anxiety. Professionals can support families by directing them to reliable sources and helping them critically evaluate what they encounter.

The Role of Professional Support

Consultants, therapists, and treatment centers play a pivotal role in guiding families through complex emotional landscapes and treatment decisions. Dr. Villiers highlighted the importance of in-person interactions when possible, as these build trust and facilitate effective communication.

Professionals can also:

Break Down Barriers: Address logistical and emotional obstacles to treatment.
Provide Continuous Support: Offer ongoing coaching to ensure families and young people stay engaged in the process.
Deliver Tailored Interventions: Customize strategies to meet each family’s unique needs.

Embracing the Journey Toward Healing

Anxiety does not have to define a young person’s life. With the right support and strategies, youths and their families can overcome the challenges it presents. Dr. Villiers’ insights remind us that patience, empathy, and collaboration are essential in treatment.

Families are encouraged to:

Acknowledge the Problem: Acceptance is the first step toward change.
Seek Professional Guidance: Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
Engage in Open Communication: Honest discussions within the family and with professionals foster understanding and trust.
Practice Patience and Compassion: Healing takes time and requires kindness toward oneself and others.

Closing Thoughts

Anxiety in young people is a multifaceted issue that affects individuals, families, and society at large. By addressing parental anxiety, challenging stigma, and fostering collaborative relationships between families and professionals, we can create a supportive environment for healing.

Dr. Dan Villiers’ work illuminates a compassionate and informed path forward. While anxiety is a formidable adversary, it is not insurmountable. Together, we can empower young people and their families to overcome anxiety and embrace a future filled with possibility and hope.

Understanding the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS): A Tool for Managing Anxiety

Posted on October 23, 2024December 5, 2024 by Mountain Valley Treatment Center

Anxiety can often feel overwhelming, especially when it surfaces unexpectedly. At Mountain Valley, we understand the importance of equipping individuals with effective tools to navigate these intense emotions. One such tool we regularly employ is the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS). Before our group and individual psychotherapy sessions, we often ask participants to share their SUDS levels. This practice not only promotes self-awareness but also fosters open communication about one’s emotional state.

What Is the Subjective Units of Distress Scale?

The Subjective Units of Distress Scale, commonly known as SUDS, is a simple self-assessment tool used to quantify the intensity of distress or anxiety an individual feels at a particular moment. Developed by psychologist Joseph Wolpe in the 1960s, SUDS assigns a numerical value—typically ranging from 0 t0 10 (or 0 t0 100)—to represent one’s current level of discomfort. A score of 0 indicates complete calmness, while 10 signifies the highest level of distress imaginable.

How Does SUDS Work?

SUDS is inherently subjective, relying on personal perception rather than objective measurements. Here’s how it generally works:

Identification: When an individual begins to feel anxious or distressed, they pause to acknowledge these feelings.
Assessment: They assign a numerical value to their level of distress based on the SUDS scale.
Reflection: This number helps them—and the MV team—to understand the severity of their symptoms at that moment.
Action: Based on the SUDS score, appropriate coping strategies or therapeutic interventions can be applied to manage the distress.

Why Is SUDS Important for Managing Anxiety?

Promotes Self-Awareness

One of the first steps in managing anxiety is to recognize when it’s occurring.. By regularly assessing their SUDS score, individuals become more attuned to their emotional states. This heightened self-awareness can lead to earlier interventions and prevent anxiety from escalating.

Facilitates Communication

Articulating feelings of anxiety can be challenging. SUDS provides a straightforward way to communicate distress levels to therapists, caregivers, or peers. At Mountain Valley Treatment Center, sharing SUDS scores before group sessions helps create a common language that enhances understanding and fosters effective support.

Guides Therapeutic Interventions

In therapeutic settings, SUDS is often used during exposure therapy—a treatment commonly employed for anxiety disorders and phobias. By assigning distress levels during exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli, therapists can tailor the intensity and duration of exposures to optimize treatment outcomes.

Research Supporting SUDS

A study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders highlighted the efficacy of using SUDS in exposure therapy for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The research found that patients who consistently used SUDS to report their anxiety levels experienced a more significant reduction in symptoms compared to those who did not use the scale1.

Another study in Behavior Research and Therapy demonstrated that SUDS scores could predict treatment outcomes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder. Higher initial SUDS scores were associated with greater improvements by the end of treatment, suggesting that SUDS can be a useful prognostic tool2.

Implementing SUDS in Daily Life

While SUDS is often used in clinical settings, it can also be a valuable tool for personal use. Here are some tips for integrating SUDS into daily routines:

Regular Check-Ins: Set aside moments during the day to assess your SUDS score, even when not feeling particularly anxious. This practice can help track patterns and triggers over time.
Journaling: Keep a log of your SUDS scores along with notes about situations or thoughts that may have influenced your anxiety levels.
Coping Strategies: Use your SUDS score to determine when to employ relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or physical activity.

How We Use SUDS at Mountain Valley

At Mountain Valley, the SUDS scale is an integral part of our therapeutic approach. Before group sessions, we encourage participants to share their SUDS levels. This practice serves multiple purposes:

Encourages Open Dialogue: Sharing SUDS scores helps break down barriers and promotes honesty about one’s feelings.
Tailors Group Dynamics: Understanding the collective distress levels allows facilitators to adjust the session’s focus to better meet the group’s needs.
Monitors Progress: Regularly tracking SUDS scores provides tangible data on an individual’s progress over time.

The Benefits of Using SUDS at Mountain Valley

Personalized Treatment Plans: By consistently monitoring SUDS scores, our therapists can customize treatment plans to address specific anxiety levels.
Empowerment Through Self-Monitoring: Patients learn to take control of their anxiety by recognizing and addressing distress as it occurs.
Enhanced Peer Support: Sharing SUDS levels in group settings fosters a sense of community and mutual understanding among participants.

The Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) is a powerful yet simple tool that empowers individuals to understand and manage their anxiety. By quantifying distress, it transforms abstract feelings into concrete data that can guide personal coping strategies and therapeutic interventions.

At Mountain Valley, we are committed to providing evidence-based approaches like SUDS to support adolescents and young adults dealing with anxiety and OCD. By incorporating tools like the SUDS scale into our programs, we help individuals develop the skills they need to navigate their emotions and lead fulfilling lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help.

References:

Meditation and Other Mindfulness Practices: How They Help Those Struggling with Anxiety

Posted on September 4, 2024December 5, 2024 by Mountain Valley Treatment Center

Mindfulness practices, particularly meditation for anxiety, have gained widespread recognition for their effectiveness in managing anxiety symptoms—a condition that affects millions worldwide. These practices are increasingly recommended by mental health professionals, including those at Mountain Valley Treatment Center, where mindfulness for anxiety relief is a component of the therapeutic approach. Clinicians at Mountain Valley may directly assign daily meditation practices to residents as part of their anxiety treatment plan, recognizing the powerful role these practices play in reducing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being.

Understanding Anxiety and the Role of Mindfulness

Anxiety disorders often manifest as excessive worry, fear, and a constant sense of unease, which can significantly interfere with daily life. For those struggling with anxiety, these feelings can be debilitating, making it challenging to focus on tasks, engage in social activities, or even rest. Mindfulness meditation for anxiety offers an effective countermeasure. By encouraging individuals to focus on the present moment without judgment, mindfulness techniques help create a sense of calm and balance. At Mountain Valley, clinicians often prescribe daily meditation for anxiety to help residents break the cycle of anxious thoughts. This structured practice allows residents to step back from their worries, observe their thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed, and gradually regain control over their emotional responses.

Mindfulness meditation involves sitting in silence, focusing on the breath, and observing thoughts and emotions as they arise. For individuals with anxiety, this practice is transformative. It helps break the cycle of rumination, the repetitive, negative thinking that fuels anxiety. At Mountain Valley, residents may be guided through these meditation sessions by experienced clinicians who help them apply these techniques effectively. The practice teaches individuals to acknowledge their anxious thoughts and let them pass without attachment, a skill that can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms over time. This daily practice not only helps residents manage their anxiety during their stay but also equips them with tools they can use long after they leave.

Research-Backed Benefits of Mindfulness for Anxiety

The benefits of mindfulness meditation for anxiety are supported by extensive research. Studies have shown that regular practice can lead to structural changes in the brain, enhancing areas related to emotional regulation and reducing activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear center (Siegel, 2007). This means that individuals who practice mindfulness meditation are better equipped to handle stress and respond to anxiety triggers more calmly and with greater resilience. At Mountain Valley, clinicians understand the importance of these findings and often incorporate mindfulness exercises for anxiety into the daily routines of residents to maximize these benefits. Additionally, mindfulness has been shown to decrease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress while improving overall mental health and cognitive functioning (Moore & Malinowski, 2009). These benefits are often a key factor in the treatment plans developed by Mountain Valley clinicians, who tailor mindfulness practices to meet the specific needs of each resident.

Mindfulness Practices at Mountain Valley Treatment Center

At Mountain Valley, mindfulness is more than just a practice—it’s a way of life. The center integrates mindfulness meditation into various aspects of its program, providing residents with multiple opportunities to cultivate this skill. Whether through structured meditation sessions, yoga, or moments of reflection in nature, residents learn to harness the power of mindfulness to manage their anxiety and other mental health challenges. Clinicians may assign specific mindfulness exercises as daily practices, helping residents build consistency and discipline in their mindfulness routines. This consistent practice is crucial for individuals dealing with chronic anxiety, as it helps them develop a strong foundation for emotional regulation and stress management.

Farming, Animal Stewardship, and Mindfulness

In addition to traditional mindfulness practices, Mountain Valley incorporates farming and animal stewardship into its mindfulness program. These activities require residents to be fully present and engaged, reinforcing the mindfulness techniques for anxiety learned in meditation. Caring for animals and working the land provide a sense of purpose and grounding, which is particularly beneficial for those with anxiety. At Mountain Valley, residents may participate in these activities daily, guided by clinicians who emphasize the importance of mindfulness in every task. These hands-on experiences help residents connect with the present moment, reducing anxious thoughts and promoting emotional stability (Louv, 2008). This holistic approach not only supports the residents’ mental health but also fosters a deeper connection to the natural world, which can be profoundly healing.

Supporting Parents Through Mindfulness

Anxiety doesn’t just affect the individual—it impacts families as well. At Mountain Valley, we encourage parents to engage in mindfulness practices to manage their own stress and anxiety. By incorporating mindfulness into their lives, parents can better support their child’s journey through treatment. This holistic approach ensures that both residents and their families are equipped with the tools they need for long-term mental health and well-being (Davis and Hayes, 2011). Mountain Valley clinicians may offer guidance to parents on how to integrate mindfulness into their daily routines, providing them with the same benefits their children experience. This shared practice not only reduces stress for parents but also creates a more supportive and harmonious environment for the entire family.

Reflecting on Resilience: Insights from the 2024 Mountain Valley Alumni Reunion

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Mountain Valley Treatment Center

At Mountain Valley Treatment Center, we believe in the power of community, healing, and shared experiences. The 2024 Mountain Valley Alumni Reunion was a testament to this belief, bringing together over 30 former residents, their families, and our dedicated staff for a day filled with reflection, gratitude, and inspiration.

A Gathering of Courage and Connection

This year’s reunion was more than just a homecoming; it was a celebration of the incredible journeys our alumni have undertaken since their time at Mountain Valley.

The day began with a powerful exercise led by executive director Zack Schafer, where attendees were asked to collect sticks and gather in a circle. Zack read aloud a list of fears, and those who felt a connection to a particular fear walked to the center of the circle to place their stick in the fire pit. As the activity progressed, attendees began sharing their own fears, and others who resonated with those fears joined them in adding their sticks to the fire. By the end, the fire pit was filled with the collective fears of the community, ready to be burned during the closing ceremony. This symbolic act set the tone for the day, reminding everyone that they were not alone in their fears and that true courage, supported by a strong community, is essential in facing them.

Stories of Transformation and Hope

As the reunion came to a close, everyone gathered around the fire that had been built earlier in the day, setting their fears ablaze. With the fire crackling and a strong sense of togetherness in the air, Zack invited alumni to step forward and share their stories. The microphone was passed from one person to the next, and with each story, the themes of resilience and growth became more evident.

Molly, a former resident who attended Mountain Valley in 2018, was among the first to speak. She shared her journey from a 12-year-old overwhelmed by anxiety and depression to a thriving college student at McGill University in Montreal. Molly reflected on how Mountain Valley provided her with the tools not only to survive but to thrive—teaching her that she is more than her mental health struggles and empowering her to embrace her identity beyond anxiety and depression.

Hayden, another alum, recounted his arrival at Mountain Valley six years ago. He shared how his time here marked the end of a difficult chapter in his life, one filled with overwhelming anxiety and school absenteeism. Today, Hayden is a college graduate with high honors and has come full circle by returning to Mountain Valley to work as a staff member, helping others who are on a similar journey.

Olivia, who attended Mountain Valley from October 2021 to January 2022, recalled her initial reluctance to join the program. However, as she connected with others and engaged in the community, she discovered her love for the outdoors and built lasting friendships that continue to this day. Olivia’s story is a reminder that sometimes the hardest steps lead to the most rewarding journeys.

Wes, who arrived at Mountain Valley last year, shared his story of radical transformation. Initially withdrawn and hesitant, Wes gradually opened up, found his voice, and began developing meaningful relationships. His experience is a powerful example of how Mountain Valley’s supportive environment can help individuals rebuild their self-confidence, find a sense of belonging, and begin forging connections with others.

The Power of Perseverance

Each story shared during the reunion was unique, yet they all echoed a common theme: perseverance. Alex, who attended Mountain Valley earlier this year, spoke about how his time at the center helped him shed the mask he had been wearing for years. With the support of the community, he found the courage to face his fears and embrace his true self. Today, Alex is thriving in his new life, attending college and holding down a job.

Ivy, who joined Mountain Valley in May 2023, reflected on how the experience changed her perspective on the world. Despite the challenges she faced after leaving, her time at Mountain Valley gave her the strength to navigate life’s ups and downs with hope and resilience. Ivy’s words captured the essence of what Mountain Valley aims to instill in all its residents: the belief that hurt people can indeed help others, and that personal growth often stems from life’s most difficult experiences.

A Journey that Continues

As the reunion came to an end, it was evident that the bonds formed at Mountain Valley are profoundly deep and transformative. The stories shared were not just about overcoming anxiety or depression; they were about discovering community, finding purpose, and uncovering one’s true self. Each alum who spoke embodied the courage and resilience of the Mountain Valley community, embracing the challenge of making “fear less” so they can live more fully.

We are immensely proud of our alumni and deeply grateful for the privilege of being part of their journeys. The 2024 reunion was a powerful reminder of the impact we can create when we come together and confront our fears.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or other mental health challenges, remember that hope and help are available. Mountain Valley Treatment Center is here to support you on your path to recovery.

Stay Connected

For more stories of resilience and recovery, be sure to tune in to the Fear Less podcast, where we continue to share the voices of our community. To hear a live recording of the fire ceremony mentioned in this article, check out Episode #40: “From Fear to Freedom: Inspiring Stories from Mountain Valley Alumni.”

Thank you for being a part of the Mountain Valley family, and we look forward to the next chapter in all of our lives.

Thank you for reading, and remember, it’s not about being fearless; it’s about making your fear less.

Cultivating Healing Through Stewardship

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Mountain Valley Treatment Center

At Mountain Valley Treatment Center, we believe that healing is not just about addressing mental health symptoms but about cultivating a sense of purpose through connecting and contributing to the world around us. One of the ways we do that is through our stewardship program. At Mountain Valley, residents engage in a variety of stewardship activities that provide them with opportunities to contribute to our campus community. One of the more innovative stewardship opportunities we offer is our farm and animal stewardship program. This portion of our program is led by our dedicated Farm and Animal Coordinator, Hann Bernardi, who specializes in integrating the care of animals and our land into the therapeutic process for our residents.

A Unique Approach to Healing

Mountain Valley has always incorporated animals, farming, and other agricultural activities into our programming, but the introduction of a dedicated Farm and Animal Coordinator marked a significant shift in how we approach the integration of these elements. Han, with a background in large-scale agriculture, brings not only expertise in animal care and farming but also a burning passion for how time spent on the land can be used as a therapeutic tool for healing. Hann works to integrate residents’ individualized treatment goals into the farm work, providing a space for them to practice what they are learning in therapy, connect with nature, and find themselves through the meaningful work they do on the farm.

The Power of Stewardship

Stewardship is at the center of our farm and animal program and is at the core of Mountain Valley’s approach to healing. Being a steward requires one to take ownership and responsibility for caring for something outside of oneself. Many of our residents come to Mountain Valley struggling with anxiety and fear that prevent them from taking care of themselves, taking charge of their lives, and contributing to the world around them. Through the farm and animal stewardship program, residents learn to care for animals and the land, which, in turn, helps them better care for themselves.

Hann explains it beautifully, stating, “If you can learn to be a steward for other creatures, it will inevitably help you cultivate that stewardship for yourself.” By taking on the responsibility to care for the animals and the land, residents develop self-discipline and self-efficacy as they begin to view themselves as contributing members of a larger community.

Building Skills, Building Confidence

Beyond the emotional and psychological benefits, the stewardship program also equips residents with practical life skills. From basic animal husbandry tasks like feeding and grooming to more complex projects like building infrastructure for the farm, residents get hands-on experience with everyday life skills that help them develop mastery, bolster self-confidence, and gain an appreciation for hard work.

One recent project involved residents building a house for the bunnies on the farm—a task that required them to measure, cut, and assemble materials with precision. Upon completing the project, they felt a profound sense of accomplishment, as this structural addition to our farm was a tangible representation of the value they can add to the world.

Reflecting on Personal Growth

The animals at Mountain Valley play a unique role in the healing process as they often serve as a “mirror” to residents, reflecting back the parts of themselves they need to work on. For example, Hann shares a story about Ivar, a rooster whose tendency toward aggression and self-protection became a source of fear for many residents. Hann worked with the residents to develop empathy and understanding for Ivar. Residents were able to relate to him as they recognized that Ivar was scared too and that his aggression was a classic example of the “fight” response that is sometimes seen in someone experiencing fear or anxiety. Through seeing themselves in Ivar, the residents were able to better understand him and develop effective strategies for communication and boundary setting. This experience not only provided residents with a great exposure opportunity around their fear of Ivar but also facilitated a deeper level of personal reflection and contemplation that can sometimes be difficult to achieve in the therapy office.

A Growing Community

The farm at Mountain Valley is not just a place for healing; it’s also a dynamic, changing, and growing community. With a variety of animals, including hens, sheep, donkeys, bunnies, and goats, residents often find themselves drawn to different creatures that represent themselves, their needs, and their emotions.

Each animal, just like each resident, brings something unique to the community. As the farm continues to expand, so do the therapeutic opportunities. The future of the stewardship program is bright, with plans for further development. The current project the community is working on is building a community Zen garden that can provide an additional therapeutic space on campus for residents to unwind and restore.

Conclusion

At Mountain Valley Treatment Center, our stewardship program is more than just a way to care for animals—it’s a powerful tool for personal growth, healing, and transformation. By fostering a connection with the land and animals, residents not only confront and overcome their fears but also develop a deeper sense of responsibility, self-worth, and community. Under Hann Bernardi’s guidance, the farm has become an integral part of the healing journey, offering residents a unique and enriching experience that stays with them long after they leave Mountain Valley.

To learn more about Mountain Valley’s Stewardship program and Hann Bernardi check Episode #38: “Healing Through Stewardship: The Therapeutic Power of Animals and Agriculture” of the Fear Less podcast.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety and could benefit from the holistic approach to healing offered at Mountain Valley, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you on your journey to recovery.