OCD and Anxiety IOP in Round Rock, Texas: A Complete Guide for Clients and Families

A Guide for Children, Teens, Adults, and Families Traveling to Round Rock, Texas for Anxiety and OCD IOP

Deciding to pursue intensive treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or anxiety takes courage. Once that decision is made, many individuals and families face a practical question: what does daily life look like during treatment?

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) provide several hours of structured, evidence-based therapy each week, but unlike residential programs, clients return to their hotel, short-term rental, or home after sessions. This structure is intentional. Applying therapy skills in real-world environments such as restaurants, parks, shops, and community spaces is a core part of how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) works. Progress made in the therapy room becomes more durable when it is practiced in everyday life.

Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists offers specialized IOP for children, teens, and adults at our Round Rock therapy office, located at 1721 Sam Bass Road. This guide is designed to help clients and families traveling to Round Rock for OCD or anxiety IOP make the most of their time between sessions.

Why Families Travel to Round Rock for OCD and Anxiety IOP

Specialized, evidence-based treatment for OCD and anxiety remains limited throughout Texas. Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists is one of the few practices in the state offering IOP specifically designed for OCD, social anxiety, selective mutism, panic disorder, emetophobia, and related conditions using ERP, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Our Round Rock location is a practical choice for families traveling from across Texas. Compared to Austin, Round Rock offers more affordable lodging, lighter traffic, and easy access to the kinds of everyday environments that support between-session ERP practice. Driving distances from major Texas cities to our Round Rock office at 1721 Sam Bass Road:

• Waco - approximately 1.5 hours

• San Antonio - approximately 1 hour 45 minutes

• Dallas - approximately 3 hours

• Houston - approximately 3 hours

• Midland and Odessa - approximately 5 hours

  Clients traveling from out of state typically fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is approximately 30 to 40 minutes from our Round Rock office depending on traffic. Rental cars and rideshare services are the most practical transportation options, as public transit in Round Rock is limited.

Where to Stay in Round Rock During IOP Treatment

Several hotels and short-term rentals are located within a short drive of our Round Rock therapy office. Popular options include:

• Austin Marriott North

• Hyatt Place Austin/Round Rock

• Hilton Garden Inn Austin/Round Rock

• Home2 Suites by Hilton Austin Round Rock

Families staying for an extended treatment period often prefer extended-stay hotels or short-term rentals with kitchens and laundry facilities. Access to a kitchen is particularly meaningful for clients working on contamination OCD or emetophobia, as it creates natural, low-stakes opportunities to practice applying ERP skills to everyday routines like food preparation and cleaning. Please contact us for information about discounted rates available through Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists.

How Between-Session Activities Support OCD and Anxiety Treatment

One of the defining features of IOP, compared to weekly outpatient therapy, is the opportunity to practice skills in real life multiple times each week. ERP is most effective when exposures are practiced across a variety of environments, not only within the therapy office.

Outings to restaurants, parks, activity venues, and shops allow clients to:

• Practice tolerating uncertainty in public settings

• Reduce avoidance behaviors in everyday situations

• Complete exposures outside the therapy room

• Resist compulsions in naturalistic environments

• Build confidence across a range of real-world contexts

The activities in this guide are not simply distractions or ways to fill time. They are opportunities to consolidate and generalize the work done in therapy. Your treatment team can help identify which settings and activities are most appropriate for your specific goals at each stage of treatment.

Note for families: Not every activity listed here will be appropriate for every client at every stage of treatment. Always coordinate with your IOP clinician before using outings as planned exposures.

Restaurants in Round Rock for IOP Clients and Families

Eating at restaurants offers natural opportunities to practice skills related to social anxiety, contamination OCD, emetophobia, uncertainty tolerance, and decision-making. Even choosing what to order, waiting for food, or sitting in a busy dining room can be meaningful practice.

Casual, Family-Friendly Dining

• Hat Creek Burger Company - relaxed atmosphere with outdoor seating and a playground, low-pressure environment for families

• Hopdoddy Burger Bar - gourmet burgers in a casual setting

• Velvet Taco - creative tacos, casual seating

• Kerbey Lane Cafe - a local Austin-area favorite for breakfast and lunch

• Chuy's - Tex-Mex in a colorful, lively environment

• ThunderCloud Subs - quick service, customizable sandwiches

• Jack Allen's Kitchen - Southern-inspired, farm-to-table Texas comfort food

• Salt Traders Coastal Cooking - coastal-inspired dishes with Gulf-sourced seafood

• Whiskey Cake - scratch-kitchen restaurant with wood-fired fare

Texas Barbecue

• Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q - casual, family-friendly BBQ

• Salt Lick BBQ - traditional Central Texas barbecue in a relaxed setting

Pizza

• Pinthouse Pizza - casual dining

• Niki's Pizza - family-friendly environment

• Via 313 Pizzeria - Detroit-style pizza, popular with families and teens

Dessert and Treats

Short dessert outings can be a low-pressure way to practice decision-making, social interaction, and tolerating uncertainty in a rewarding context.

• Amy's Ice Creams - a beloved local ice cream shop

• Andy's Frozen Custard - smooth custard in a welcoming setting

• Round Rock Donuts - an iconic local bakery known for its large, fresh donuts; popular with children and families

• Kawaii Shave Ice - colorful, customizable shave ice

Family Activities for Child and Teen Round Rock IOP Clients

Children and teens participating in Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists’ Round Rock IOP often benefit from opportunities to play, socialize, and decompress after therapy sessions. Outings to local activity venues also provide fun, low-pressure environments where clients can practice social skills, tolerate uncertainty, and build confidence in real-world settings.

Entertainment Venues for Children and Teens in Round Rock IOP

Children and teens participating in OCD or anxiety IOP benefit from opportunities to play, socialize, and decompress after intensive therapy sessions. Activity venues also provide structured environments where clinicians may recommend practicing social skills, tolerating uncertainty, and building confidence.

• Flix Brewhouse - a movie theater with dining. Useful for practicing uncertainty tolerance in low-light environments and managing social anxiety in crowds.

• Austin's Park n' Pizza - mini golf, arcade games, laser tag, go-karts, and rides. Well-suited for turn-taking, decision-making, and talking exposures for selective mutism.

• Monster Mini Golf - glow-in-the-dark mini golf and arcade games. Good for social engagement in a novel environment.

• Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl & Grill - underwater-themed bowling inside Bass Pro Shops. Fun, low-stress social environment with novelty.

• Escapology Escape Rooms - immersive puzzle rooms for teens and older children. Supports teamwork, problem-solving, and flexibility.

• Urban Air and Altitude Trampoline Park - active environments for energy release, anxiety management, and social engagement.

• Mount Playmore - an indoor play space for younger children. A low-pressure environment particularly appropriate for children in Selective Mutism IOP.

Outdoor Activities and Parks for Round Rock IOP Clients

Spending time outdoors supports emotional regulation, reduces physiological stress, and provides natural opportunities to practice ERP skills. Parks and trails may also allow clients to work on specific fears, such as dog phobia, snake phobia, or insect phobia, in a graded, real-world setting.

• Old Settlers Park - a large park with walking trails, sports fields, and open green spaces. Useful for mindful walks, grounding exercises, and post-session decompression. Children can run and play in a natural setting.

• Brushy Creek Regional Trail - a scenic trail system for walking, biking, and running. Short walks can support emotion regulation, mindfulness practice, and low-stress exposure to outdoor public environments.

• Play for All Abilities Park - an inclusive, sensory-friendly playground designed for children of all abilities. Well-suited for children in Selective Mutism or social anxiety IOP programs.

• Chisholm Trail Crossing Park - a quieter park with walking paths and historical sculptures. A good option for adults and families seeking reflection and relaxation in a public outdoor space.

Water Parks and Seasonal Attractions

During warmer months, water attractions offer sensory-rich environments that can support exposure work related to crowded settings, sensory sensitivity, and social engagement.

• Rock'n River Water Park - splash zones and leisure areas for family fun

• Typhoon Texas Waterpark - larger water attractions for children and teens

• Kalahari Resort - an expansive indoor/outdoor waterpark with slides, wave pools, and family attractions

• Sweet Eats Adventure Farm - seasonal farm attractions with games, animals, and festivals

Self-Care and Skill-Building Activities for Adults in Round Rock IOP

Adults in IOP benefit from a rhythm that includes both structured ERP practice and intentional recovery. The following options support nervous system regulation, behavioral activation, and the application of ACT and CBT skills between sessions.

Round Rock Coffee and Calm Spaces

Coffee Shops and Calm Spaces

• Mi Mundo Coffeehouse & Roastery - a quieter cafe suitable for journaling, reflection, or practicing small social exposures such as ordering and brief conversations.

• Summer Moon Coffee - a relaxed environment for reading, working, or practicing valued activities in a public setting despite discomfort.

Wellness and Movement

• Soul Strong Yoga - yoga classes emphasizing mindfulness, grounding, and body awareness. Useful for individuals with panic disorder practicing tolerance of physical sensations.

• Viva Day Spa or Mireal Spa - spa services supporting relaxation and nervous system regulation. Can also present gentle exposures related to uncertainty about shared spaces or tolerating physical sensations without reassurance-seeking.

• Round Rock Community Clay - pottery and art studio supporting behavioral activation, flexibility, and tolerance of imperfection.

  Recreation

• Topgolf Austin - A structured recreational environment where adults can practice engagement, focus, and social interaction. These types of activities can support ERP work for social anxiety, helping clients remain present in group settings even when discomfort arises.

• Urban Axes Austin - A supervised axe-throwing venue that some adults may find useful as a graded exposure environment when working on harm OCD. Under safe and structured supervision, clients can practice noticing intrusive thoughts without avoidance or compulsive mental checking while remaining engaged in the activity.

  Everyday Routines as ERP Practice

  Ordinary errands can be among the most valuable between-session opportunities for OCD and anxiety treatment:

  • Round Rock Premium Outlets - navigating crowds, making decisions, and tolerating busy environments. Helpful for social anxiety and panic disorder.

  • Sprouts Farmers Market and H-E-B - grocery shopping supports contamination OCD and emetophobia work: choosing foods, waiting in lines, tolerating uncertainty about food preparation.

  • Round Rock Antique Mall and local boutiques - browsing second-hand items can support contamination OCD, moral OCD, and scrupulosity work related to doubt and responsibility about objects.

When to Consider an Intensive Outpatient Program for OCD or Anxiety

An Intensive Outpatient Program may be appropriate when OCD or anxiety symptoms:

• Significantly interfere with school, work, or family relationships

• Have not responded adequately to standard weekly therapy

• Involve extensive avoidance, compulsions, or safety behaviors

• Require frequent, structured exposure-based treatment

IOP provides a higher level of care than traditional outpatient therapy while allowing clients to remain in the community rather than a residential setting. This structure makes the real-world application of ERP central to treatment rather than supplemental.

At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, our IOP incorporates ERP, CBT, and ACT to treat a range of conditions, including OCD (contamination OCD, harm OCD, moral OCD, scrupulosity), social anxiety, selective mutism, panic disorder, emetophobia, and specific phobias.

Schedule a Free IOP Consultation at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists

If you are considering an Intensive Outpatient Program for yourself or your child in the Austin or Round Rock area, our team can help you determine whether IOP is the right level of care and guide you through next steps.

To learn more about our child, teen, and adult IOP programs, contact Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists to schedule a free consultation with our IOP coordinator, Dr. Samantha Myhre. Our clinicians specialize in evidence-based treatment for OCD and anxiety and are experienced in helping clients and families navigate the logistics of traveling for intensive treatment.

Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists - Round Rock Office

1721 Sam Bass Road, Round Rock, Texas

IOP Team at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists

A meaningful Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) experience depends on clinical expertise, trust, and supportive therapeutic relationships. At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, our clinicians are committed to helping clients navigate difficult periods with structured, evidence-based care. Each provider brings specialized training in anxiety and OCD treatment and works collaboratively with clients to support lasting progress and meaningful change.

Samantha Myhre, PhD, Assistant Clinical Director and IOP Coordinator, specializes in treating anxiety and OCD using evidence-based approaches including ERP, CBT, and mindfulness-informed strategies. She works closely with clients to help them build insight, strengthen self-trust, and develop practical skills for managing anxiety and intrusive thoughts.

Ann Elise Taylor, LCSW, PMH-C, focuses on adult and perinatal mental health, with extensive experience treating anxiety disorders, OCD, and trauma-related concerns. Using CBT and ACT-informed approaches, she provides supportive and structured care that helps clients rebuild stability and resilience during stressful life transitions.

Ayla Bridges, LMFT, works with children, adolescents, and families experiencing OCD, anxiety, and related behavioral challenges. Through CBT and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), she helps young clients gradually face fears, strengthen communication skills, and build confidence in navigating everyday situations.

Ansimone Youssef, PsyD, works with adolescents and adults experiencing OCD, anxiety, and tic disorders. Her individualized and culturally responsive approach helps clients feel understood while progressing through treatment at a pace that supports sustainable growth.

Casey James, LPC provides treatment for anxiety and OCD using evidence-based approaches such as ERP and CBT. Casey focuses on helping clients gradually confront feared situations while reducing avoidance and compulsive behaviors, supporting increased flexibility and confidence in daily life.

Katie Tripp, LCSW works with individuals experiencing anxiety, OCD, and related conditions. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, skill building, and structured exposure work that helps clients develop greater tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort while moving toward meaningful goals.

Victoria Nguyen, PsyD supports adult clients with anxiety and OCD through compassionate, evidence-based care. Using ERP and CBT-informed strategies, she helps individuals approach feared situations, reduce compulsions, and build practical tools for managing anxiety outside of the therapy setting.

Together, the IOP clinical team at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists provides specialized care for individuals participating in intensive outpatient treatment. Through structured therapy, exposure-based work, and ongoing support, our clinicians help clients move toward greater stability, improved functioning, and a life guided by their values.