When OCD and Depression Collide: A Mental Health IOP in Austin, TX That Treats the Full Picture
Living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is challenging on its own, but when it occurs alongside depression, life can feel especially overwhelming. Intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and intense anxiety can be compounded by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and low energy. For many children and adults, weekly in-person therapy or online therapy may not provide enough support to effectively manage both experiences.
Research indicates that approximately 50% of individuals with OCD also experience major depressive disorder at some point in their lives. This co-occurrence can complicate treatment and worsen overall functioning. That’s why Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists offers a mental health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) that takes a holistic approach, helping you regain control, improve daily functioning, and get back to the things that matter most to you.
By providing multiple sessions each week in a supportive environment, our OCD and Depression IOP offers consistent guidance, accountability, and skill-building that accelerates progress. Clients receive targeted interventions for both OCD and depression, learn practical strategies to reduce compulsions, manage anxiety, improve mood, and gain the support needed to navigate everyday challenges.
Understanding Co-Occurring OCD and Depression
Living with OCD and depression at the same time can feel like your mind and body are working against you. Obsessive thoughts creep in uninvited. You worry that you’ll harm someone you love. You fear that something is “off.” You experience constant doubt. Compulsions take over your day. You may find yourself checking locks over and over, scrubbing until your hands are raw, engaging in counting rituals, researching for reassurance, or replaying events in your mind. However, each attempt to calm anxiety only keeps it alive. If you recognize yourself in these patterns, it’s not just ‘overthinking’ or being overly cautious; these are hallmark symptoms of OCD as outlined in the DSM-5-TR.
What is OCD?
OCD is defined by:
Obsessions: Recurrent, persistent, intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that cause marked anxiety or distress.
Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, aimed at reducing distress or preventing a feared outcome.
The obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming or cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning.
Alongside this, depression drapes a heavy weight over everything. You may find it hard to get out of bed, eat, or even shower. Things that used to bring joy feel empty or exhausting. Motivation fades, and tasks that once felt simple, caring for yourself, your children, and your home, become mountains. You feel guilty for struggling and hopeless that anything will ever change.
What is Depression?
According to the DSM-5-TR, major depressive disorder includes:
Persistent low mood most of the day, nearly every day.
Loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities.
Significant weight change or appetite disturbance.
Sleep disturbances (too much or too little).
Fatigue or loss of energy.
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions.
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation.
Symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in daily life.
Recognizing what’s happening isn’t about labeling yourself; it’s about understanding why life feels so heavy and discovering the hope that comes from knowing effective treatments exist. Specialty programs led by OCD experts, like the OCD and Depression IOP at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, can help untangle this web, giving you the tools and support to regain control over your life.
Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists’ Integrated IOP Treatment for OCD and Depression
Unfortunately, standard therapy often addresses only one condition at a time. Without comprehensive, concurrent treatment, both OCD and depression can persist and worsen. Addressing both OCD and depression simultaneously is crucial. Evidence-based therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) has been shown to be effective for individuals with co-occurring OCD and depression.
At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, our OCD and Depression Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) goes beyond what weekly therapy can provide. With multiple sessions each week, clients receive structured, consistent support in a compassionate environment where healing happens step by step. Our team of OCD experts works collaboratively with each client to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses both conditions, building the skills needed for lasting recovery and an improved quality of life.
If you or a loved one is struggling with the combined challenges of OCD and depression, know that you are not alone, and effective help is available. Contact Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists today to learn more about our OCD and Depression IOP and how our team of OCD experts can support you.
Find Comprehensive Support with a Mental Health IOP in Austin, TX
When OCD and depression overlap, it can feel like you’re caught in an endless cycle where intrusive thoughts drain your energy and depression makes it even harder to cope. At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, our mental health IOP in Austin, TX, is designed to treat the full picture. We provide structured, evidence-based care that addresses both conditions at once, so you don’t have to manage them in isolation. With a compassionate team by your side, you’ll learn strategies to reduce symptoms, build resilience, and move toward a life that feels more balanced and hopeful.
Here’s how to begin working with our team:
Contact us at hello@austinanxiety.com or call 512-246-7225 to schedule your free consultation.
Learn how our Mental Health IOP in Austin, TX can help you manage OCD and depression together with integrative, tailored support.
Start your path toward healing with a program that honors your goals, equips you with coping tools, and provides steady guidance every step of the way.
You don’t have to face OCD and depression alone. Help is here, and recovery is possible.
Additional Therapy Services at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists in Austin, TX
At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, we recognize that no two people experience anxiety, OCD, or related challenges in the same way. That’s why our services extend far beyond our Intensive Outpatient Program. We work with children, adolescents, and adults dealing with a wide range of concerns, including OCD, panic disorder, phobias, PTSD, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, selective mutism, emetophobia, separation anxiety, depression, tics, and body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Our therapists also provide parent coaching, SPACE treatment, psychological evaluations, and group therapy, with the added flexibility of online sessions for clients across Texas.
We’re also proud to offer Camp Courage, a hands-on program where kids and teens can face fears in a supportive environment, practice coping tools, and build confidence that carries into everyday life.
Whether you’re seeking preventative care or more intensive treatment, our approach is always individualized, collaborative, and rooted in evidence-based methods. Every clinician on our team is committed to creating a safe, compassionate space where clients feel understood and supported as they work toward lasting growth and resilience.
Meet the Team Behind Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Austin, TX
At Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, our Intensive Outpatient Program is guided by a dedicated group of clinicians who bring both expertise and genuine compassion to their work. We serve children, teens, and adults experiencing anxiety, OCD, and related conditions—always offering care that is tailored to each person’s values, needs, and stage of life.
Dr. Samantha Myhre, PhD – Assistant Clinical Director & IOP Coordinator
Dr. Myhre is extensively trained in evidence-based interventions for anxiety and OCD, with additional focus on mindfulness, depression, and self-worth. She works with clients as young as six, using a warm and collaborative approach that fosters confidence, clarity, and steady progress.
Ann Elise specializes in adult care and is certified in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International. With advanced training in anxiety, OCD, trauma, and postpartum concerns, she draws on CBT, ACT, ERP, and EMDR to help clients heal, grow, and reconnect with themselves.
Ayla is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and families on concerns such as OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and behavioral difficulties. Using CBT, ERP, and PCIT within a strengths-based framework, she empowers young clients to face fears, build resilience, and apply coping strategies in daily life.
Dr. Youssef supports adolescents and young adults coping with OCD, depression, and anxiety. Known for her warmth and cultural awareness, she personalizes evidence-based treatment to create a safe, affirming space where clients can achieve authentic, lasting change.
Whether you’re seeking help for yourself, your child, or your teen, our IOP team is here with compassionate, developmentally appropriate care. We’re committed to walking with you through challenges and victories alike, providing steady support every step of the way.