Dr. Jared Balmer | The Anxiety Epidemic: Understanding and Overcoming the Mental Health Crisis
In this insightful episode, we sit down with Dr. Jared Balmer, PhD, Marriage and Family Therapist, and founder of Waypoint Academy, a residential treatment center specializing in severe anxiety and OCD in adolescents. Dr. Balmer takes us deep into the root causes of the anxiety epidemic affecting today’s youth, from social media dependence to parental overprotection, and explains why exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy is the gold standard for treatment. We explore how modern lifestyles contribute to rising anxiety and depression rates, what parents can do to foster resilience in their children, and why real-world social interactions are the key to emotional well-being. If you're a parent, educator, or professional seeking to understand how to break the cycle of anxiety, this conversation is full of practical insights and transformative advice. "The best antidote to anxiety is creating a family environment where people actually talk to each other." – Dr. Jared Balmer Tune in now for a powerful discussion on mental health, treatment strategies, and how we can help the next generation thrive.
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Dr. Jared Balmer has over 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field, specializing in adolescent and adult mental health treatment. Holding a B.S. in Microbiology, an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy, he is a pioneer in the multidisciplinary approach to residential therapy. Dr. Jared Balmer has been instrumental in developing BestNotes Treatment Plans and continues to contribute to the field by refining best practices. When he’s not working, you can find him enjoying the outdoors and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
