How an Intensive Outpatient Program in Austin, TX Supports Children with OCD & Anxiety Disorders
When a child is struggling with anxiety or OCD, it can impact every area of their life, including home, school, friendships, and their ability to enjoy being a kid. As a parent, watching your child suffer can feel overwhelming and heartbreaking. You may have tried traditional weekly therapy and seen some progress, but it just hasn’t been enough. Or, perhaps you are just getting started in your family’s journey toward freedom from anxiety. That’s where an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Austin can make a meaningful difference.
At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, our IOP for children is designed to provide a higher level of support without removing kids from their daily lives. We combine evidence-based therapy, innovative tools, and compassionate guidance for both children and parents—all while creating a fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate experience that sets the stage for long-term success.
Why IOP Therapy for Children?
Traditional weekly therapy can be helpful, but for some kids, it’s simply not enough to move the needle. On the other hand, residential treatment may feel too extreme, or too disruptive, for a child who doesn’t need 24/7 care. Specialized IOP treatment offers that “just right” level of support: more structure and intensity than weekly therapy, but flexible enough to keep kids connected to school, friends, and family.
In our Austin-based IOP, children attend therapy several days per week, giving them more frequent opportunities to learn and practice skills in real time. We take a hands-on, action-oriented approach that is grounded in research but tailored to the unique developmental needs of children and tweens.
Therapy that’s Developmentally Appropriate—and Fun
Children don’t learn and engage in the same way adults do, and therapy should reflect that. That’s why our IOP uses play, movement, art, stories, games, and real-world adventures to make learning therapeutic skills both accessible and enjoyable. Whether we’re helping a child face their fears through exposure and response prevention (ERP), guiding them to connect with their values and the things that matter most to them, or supporting them in taking brave steps forward even when anxiety shows up, we make sure it feels safe, age-appropriate, and, whenever possible, fun! Our goal is to help kids unlock their inner bravery, learn to relate differently to anxious thoughts, and build confidence through meaningful action so they can reclaim what anxiety has taken from them. We know the power of laughter and creativity, and we believe therapy works best when kids want to come back.
Teaching Skills in Real Life Settings
It’s one thing to learn a coping skill in a therapy room and another to use it in the lunchroom, classroom, or while ordering ice cream at Amy’s. Our team incorporates real-world practice into treatment to help kids use their skills in the places where anxiety and OCD tend to show up. From favorite Austin parks to local coffee shops to walking the halls of a nearby school, we help kids practice facing fears and managing symptoms in their actual environments.
We also use fun and innovative technology like virtual reality to simulate anxiety-provoking situations in a controlled, safe way. VR can be especially helpful for exposure therapy, giving kids a chance to build confidence before taking on real-life challenges.
Our goal is not just to teach skills in theory, but to help kids apply them in the places that matter most, so they can feel capable, empowered, and less limited by fear.
Supporting the Whole Family
Parenting is tough, but parenting a child with anxiety or OCD is especially hard, and it’s rarely intuitive. In fact, properly supporting a child with anxiety or OCD often goes against our natural parenting instincts and the parenting strategies that often come most naturally to parents can unintentionally make symptoms of anxiety and OCD worse. That’s why we offer parent training as a core part of our IOP.
We’ll teach you what works, what doesn’t, and why, so you can confidently support your child’s progress without getting stuck in the cycle of anxiety. You’ll learn how to respond in moments of distress, set boundaries with compassion, and reduce accommodations that may be reinforcing symptoms. We’ll also help you care for yourself along the way, because parenting under stress is exhausting, and you deserve support too!
We provide take-home resources for parents so that tools and strategies can be reinforced between sessions. Our team is here to collaborate, coach, and cheer you on. And, we don’t go anywhere after IOP treatment ends. We encourage parents to reach out to us for booster sessions or support as needed.
Collaboration with Schools (and Anyone Else Who Needs to Be in the Loop)
Children don’t live in a vacuum. Their symptoms show up in classrooms, lunchrooms, after-school programs, and sometimes even in sports or extracurricular activities. When helpful, we collaborate with schools, teachers, coaches, pediatricians, and other caregivers to make sure your child’s support system is unified and informed.
We can help schools understand your child’s needs and support you in advocating for tangible support. We’re also happy to offer training or support for school staff who want to better understand how to help their child succeed.
Our team works with you to decide who should be involved and how to make that involvement helpful, not overwhelming.
Clarity When It Counts: In-House Psychological Testing
When additional diagnostic clarity is needed, we offer comprehensive in-house psychological testing with a licensed psychologist. This can be especially helpful when symptoms overlap or when there’s uncertainty about a diagnosis. Our comprehensive assessments help us tailor treatment more precisely, ensuring your child receives the right support from the start. Whether it’s teasing apart ADHD from anxiety, evaluating OCD severity, or ruling out other concerns such as dyslexia, our team is equipped to provide answers and guidance.
Built for Long-Term Success
Our IOP isn’t just about what happens during treatment; it’s also about what comes after. We want your child to keep thriving long after the program ends. That’s why we provide:
Take-home resources that help families maintain progress.
School-based tools and communication templates.
Ongoing support plans to ensure a smooth transition to outpatient care or other services.
Flexible treatment options that evolve as your child’s needs change.
We’re invested in long-term change, not just quick fixes.
A Different Kind of Therapy Experience
At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, we believe that therapy doesn’t have to feel sterile or clinical. Our child and adolescent IOPs are warm, welcoming, and full of energy. We know the best taco spots for exposure outings. We’ve practiced coping skills while playing board games, walking nature trails, and even hanging out at local arcades. And, since opening our doors back in 2012, we’ve helped thousands of kids turn avoidance into bravery, one small step at a time.
Your child is more than a diagnosis. They’re a whole person with unique strengths, creativity, humor, and resilience. Our job is to help them reconnect with those qualities and build the skills they need to feel more in control of their minds and lives.
When to Consider Pediatric IOP Treatment
Our IOP might be the right fit if:
Your child’s symptoms are interfering with school, friendships, or family life.
You feel like anxiety or OCD has hijacked your family.
Weekly therapy hasn’t been enough.
Your child is motivated to work on challenges (even if they’re scared).
You’re looking for a flexible program that integrates into your daily routine.
Whether your child’s symptoms of anxiety or OCD are new or they have been struggling for a while, you don’t have to navigate this alone. The right support and therapy can make all the difference, and we’re here to help.
Supporting Parents When Kids Resist Treatment: The SPACE Approach
Sometimes, children struggling with anxiety or OCD may feel reluctant or unmotivated to participate in intensive treatment like an IOP. In these cases, we offer parents guidance through the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) program, an evidence-based approach that empowers caregivers to support their child’s progress even when direct participation is limited. SPACE focuses on helping parents reduce accommodation of anxiety-driven behaviors, build healthy boundaries, and encourage independence in a compassionate way. By learning how to respond differently to anxious behaviors, parents can create a more supportive home environment that gently nudges their child toward growth, often paving the way for greater engagement in therapy when the time is right.
Interested in learning more about our Pediatric IOP in Austin, TX?
If your child is struggling with OCD or anxiety, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Our intensive outpatient program in Austin is designed to provide structured, compassionate care that meets your family where you are.
Here’s how to get started:
Call us at 512-246-7225 or email hello@austinanxiety.com to book your complimentary IOP consultation.
Discover more about our Intensive Outpatient Program in Austin, TX.
Let’s work toward a future of stability for your child and family, together.
Additional Counseling Options at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists
We understand that anxiety, OCD, and related challenges look different for everyone, which is why our support extends beyond IOP. Our team works with children & teens, and adults navigating concerns such as OCD, phobias, emetophobia, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety, selective mutism, separation anxiety, tics, BFRBs, and depression. We also provide parent coaching, SPACE treatment, group therapy, and comprehensive psychological assessments. For those seeking flexible options, our online therapy is available to clients across Texas.
We also offer Camp Courage—an immersive, hands-on program designed to help youth confront fears, strengthen coping skills, and build confidence in a supportive environment.
Whether you need early intervention or a higher level of care, our services are always tailored to your needs, built on collaboration, and grounded in what matters most to you. Our entire team is dedicated to delivering effective, evidence-based therapy with genuine warmth, respect, and deep understanding.
Meet the Team Behind Our IOP
Every success in our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is supported by a dedicated group of skilled, compassionate clinicians. At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, our IOP staff is made up of licensed therapists who specialize in delivering individualized, values-focused care. We serve children, teens, and adults working through anxiety, OCD, and related mental health concerns.
Dr. Samantha Myhre, PhD, is our Assistant Clinical Director and IOP Coordinator. She has extensive experience in evidence-based treatment for anxiety and OCD, as well as expertise in self-worth, depression, and mindfulness. Working with clients ages 6 and older, Dr. Myhre is known for her collaborative, empathetic, and values-centered approach.
Ann Elise Taylor, LCSW, PMH-C, primarily works with adults, specializing in anxiety, OCD, trauma, and perinatal mental health. Certified in perinatal care through Postpartum Support International, Ann Elise integrates CBT, ACT, ERP, and EMDR to help clients reconnect with themselves and move toward meaningful change.
Ayla Bridges, LMFT, has a strong background in supporting children, teens, and families. She helps clients facing OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral challenges through a strengths-based, action-oriented approach rooted in CBT, ERP, and PCIT. Ayla is especially passionate about empowering young people to face fears, build confidence, and develop life skills through real-world experiences.
Dr. Ansimone Youssef, PsyD, specializes in working with adolescents and young adults managing OCD, anxiety, and depression. She leads with cultural humility and warmth, tailoring her methods to meet each client’s unique needs. Her care is grounded in holistic, evidence-based practices that foster meaningful, lasting change.
Whether you’re looking for support for yourself, your teen, or your child, our team is committed to providing compassionate, age-appropriate care that reflects your values and priorities. We consider it an honor to walk alongside our clients during both their challenges and their progress.