Life Doesn’t Pause for Mental Health: An IOP in Austin, TX Lets You Meet Your Treatment Goals While Keeping Your Routine
When you’re struggling with anxiety, OCD, or related disorders, the need for intensive treatment can feel overwhelming. You know you need additional support, but how do you press pause on life to get it? The truth is, most people can’t. Whether it’s work, school, family obligations, or financial pressures, life rarely offers a clear window to seek the level of care you truly need. That’s where our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Austin, TX comes in, meeting you exactly where you are, without requiring you to put your life on hold.
Life Often Doesn’t Pause for Treatment
Maybe you’ve been living with anxiety or OCD for years. Maybe this is all new to you, and you’re uncertain where to begin. Or perhaps your therapist or psychiatrist just recommended a higher level of care than weekly therapy sessions can provide. Whatever the case, the idea of stepping away from your daily life for two or more weeks can feel like swapping one source of stress for another. For many people, it’s simply not realistic. Taking extended time off work isn’t always feasible, arranging childcare feels overwhelming, and traveling out of state for treatment is often out of reach. You know you need effective, focused mental health care, but how do you access it without putting your entire life on hold?
Compassionate Care That Fits Your Lifestyle: A Flexible IOP in Austin
At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, we understand that the gap between what you need and what feels realistic can delay treatment that might otherwise lead to meaningful, lasting change. That’s why our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is designed with real life in mind. Whether you’re balancing work, family, or other commitments, we offer a flexible, personalized approach that meets you where you are. Our IOP is grounded in evidence-based therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), delivered in a way that works with your routine, not against it.
Local to Austin? We Offer Maximum Flexibility
If you're based in or near Austin, we offer in-person IOP sessions with daytime, evening, and weekend scheduling options. This means you can continue working, attending school, or managing your daily responsibilities while receiving top-tier mental health care from therapists who specialize in anxiety and OCD. Our in‑person sessions offer compassionate accountability and structure alongside hands‑on practice of tangible skills, so you’re actively working toward change instead of just talking for hours, all without the disruption of inpatient care.
Our IOP typically involves 10 hours of individual therapy per week with a licensed therapist, plus optional group therapy and family support. Unlike many programs, group participation is not required, nor is it the central foundation of our treatment program.
Out of Town and Unable to Travel to Austin? No Problem
If you're not located in Austin, you're not out of options. We can provide virtual care to clients in the following states.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
If you're in one of these states, we can deliver our entire IOP therapy remotely. Prefer a mix of in-person and virtual sessions? We can accommodate a hybrid model that fits your schedule and reduces disruption to your routine.
Able to Travel to Austin for IOP Therapy but Need Flexibility While You’re Here? We’ll Help You Make It Work.
Many clients work remotely while staying in Austin for two to three weeks. We’ll tailor your schedule to fit your work hours whenever possible, whether that means early morning sessions, lunch-hour appointments, or evening and weekend options. You don’t have to pause your professional or personal responsibilities. We’ll help you build a routine that supports your progress in treatment while allowing you to stay engaged with daily life.
What Makes Our IOP Different?
We don’t require group participation. Our IOP is one of the few where group therapy is optional. That means no forced sharing or group activities unless you want them.
We individualize every treatment plan. Whether you’re joining virtually or in person, we’ll design a schedule that respects your time, obligations, and comfort level.
We specialize in OCD and anxiety. This isn’t a general mental health program. Our team is specifically trained in ACT, CBT, and ERP for OCD, phobias, social anxiety, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety.
We support you in daily life—not remove you from it. Our goal is to help you practice skills in real time, in the real world, with real challenges. That’s how long-term recovery begins.
Who Is a Good Fit?
Our IOP may be the right step for you if:
You are motivated to actively do the work now and see meaningful results sooner than months down the road.
You’ve tried weekly therapy and are ready for more focused support.
Your symptoms are interfering with work, school, or relationships.
You're ready to address anxiety or OCD head-on, but you don’t require inpatient care.
You need a bridge between inpatient/residential treatment and outpatient therapy.
You're motivated to work on skills and exposures while staying engaged in your life.
Our IOP supports children, teens, and adults experiencing:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Panic disorder.
Social anxiety.
Health anxiety.
Phobias.
Generalized anxiety.
Perfectionism.
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), such as hair pulling or skin picking.
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Getting Help and Living Your Life
Sometimes, weekly therapy just isn’t enough, and spending six months in traditional therapy might not make sense when you could make faster, more focused progress through a structured IOP. Still, the idea of stepping away from your entire life to get more support can feel impossible. That’s why our IOP in Austin is designed to meet you where you are. You don’t have to quit your job, leave your family, or travel across the country to access effective, evidence-based care.
You can make meaningful progress while staying connected to your daily responsibilities. Whether you live nearby or are joining us from out of town, we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your life—not the other way around.
Here’s how to begin:
Contact us hello@austinanxiety.com or 512-246-7225 to schedule a free consultation.
Learn more about our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and how it can support you.
We’ll walk you through the options, answer all your questions, and help you take the next step.
Additional Therapy Options Available at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists in Austin, TX
We understand that living with anxiety, OCD, or related challenges is a unique experience for each person, which is why our support goes far beyond IOP. Our team provides therapy for children & teens, and adults facing concerns such as OCD, phobias, emetophobia, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety, selective mutism, separation anxiety, tics, BFRBs, and depression. Additional services include parent coaching, SPACE treatment, group therapy, and psychological assessments, with online therapy options available throughout Texas.
We also host Camp Courage, an immersive program designed to help youth confront fears, strengthen skills, and build confidence in a safe, encouraging environment.
Whether you need early intervention or a more structured plan, our care is tailored to your needs, collaborative in nature, and guided by what’s most important to you. Every clinician on our team is dedicated to offering evidence-based therapy delivered with empathy, respect, and a true understanding of the realities of living with anxiety.
Meet Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Team in Austin, TX
At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, our IOP program is led by a dedicated group of skilled, compassionate clinicians who combine clinical expertise with genuine care. We work with children, teens, and adults navigating anxiety, OCD, and related concerns, providing personalized, values-driven support every step of the way.
Dr. Samantha Myhre, PhD – Assistant Clinical Director and IOP Coordinator. Dr. Myhre specializes in evidence-based treatments for anxiety and OCD, with additional expertise in self-worth, depression, and mindfulness. She works with clients ages 6 and up, offering a collaborative, compassionate approach that helps individuals move toward their goals with clarity and confidence.
Ann Elise Taylor, LCSW, PMH-C – Ann Elise focuses on adult care, specializing in anxiety, OCD, trauma, and perinatal mental health. Certified through Postpartum Support International, she blends CBT, ACT, ERP, and EMDR to help clients reconnect with themselves and create meaningful change.
Ayla Bridges, LMFT – Ayla brings deep experience in supporting children, teens, and families through OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral challenges. Using a strengths-based approach grounded in CBT, ERP, and PCIT, she helps young people face fears, build resilience, and grow through real-world experiences.
Dr. Ansimone Youssef, PsyD – Dr. Youssef works primarily with adolescents and young adults managing OCD, anxiety, and depression. She approaches therapy with warmth and cultural humility, tailoring care to each client’s unique needs and fostering lasting change through evidence-based methods.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or your child, our IOP team is here to offer compassionate, age-appropriate care that honors your values and goals—walking alongside you through both the challenges and the progress.