Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment & Evaluation in Austin and Surrounding Areas
Living with OCD can feel like being trapped in a loop—your mind keeps hitting the same mental “replay” button, no matter how hard you try to move on. Many people think OCD is simply about being neat or organized, but in reality, it’s a disorder of intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that can hijack hours of your day. With the right evaluation and targeted treatment, you can move from feeling consumed by obsessions and compulsions to regaining control over your time, focus, and peace of mind.
Understanding OCD
Plain-English definition: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition where intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) trigger repetitive actions or mental rituals (compulsions) aimed at easing anxiety—but these behaviors often reinforce the cycle instead of breaking it.
Adults vs. stereotypes: While media often portrays OCD as excessive cleaning or perfectionism, in adults it can include mental checking, counting, avoiding “contamination” in non-obvious ways, or silently repeating words to feel “safe.”
Common symptoms:
Intrusive thoughts you can’t control
Repetitive behaviors like checking locks, washing hands, or arranging objects
Mental rituals like counting, praying, or reviewing past events
Anxiety or distress if rituals are not completed “correctly”
Why it’s often missed: People may hide symptoms out of embarrassment, or mislabel them as quirks or personality traits, delaying accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
My Diagnostic Process
Comprehensive intake — exploring your symptom patterns, triggers, and history.
Evidence-based assessments — structured tools like the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) to measure severity.
Differential diagnosis — ruling out anxiety disorders, tic disorders, or obsessive personality traits that mimic OCD.
Personalized plan — focusing on what drives your specific obsessions and compulsions.
Treatment Tailored to You
Medication options: SSRIs at therapeutic OCD doses, augmentation strategies if needed.
Therapy approaches: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to break the obsession–compulsion cycle.
Lifestyle changes: Mindfulness-based stress reduction, structured routines, and reducing avoidance behaviors.
Adaptive strategies: Ongoing monitoring and adjustments as progress builds.
Why My Practice is Different
Most online information about OCD is either oversimplified or too technical to act on. I give you clear, actionable steps from the start so you:
Understand exactly how OCD works in your brain
Know all treatment options and what to expect
Have a realistic path forward before you even book
Actionable self-reflection you can try today:
Notice the last time you performed a ritual or compulsion. Write down the thought that came before it, what you felt, and what the action “promised” to relieve. This awareness is the first step toward breaking the pattern.
OCD Often Comes with Company
OCD often occurs alongside generalized anxiety disorder, depression, body-focused repetitive behaviors (like hair pulling), and sometimes ADHD. Treating OCD effectively means addressing the full picture, not just one part.
Serving Austin and Beyond
I provide OCD treatment for clients in:
Austin, Barton Creek, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Bertram, Blanco, Briarcliff, Brushy Creek, Buda, Burnet, Cedar Park, Circle C, Creedmoor, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Great Hills, Hays, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Jonestown, Jollyville, Kyle, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Marble Falls, Martindale, Meadowlakes, Mountain City, Mustang Ridge, New Braunfels, Niederwald, Pflugerville, Point Venture, River Place, Rollingwood, Round Rock, San Marcos, Smithville, Steiner Ranch, Sunset Valley, Taylor, The Domain, The Hills, Thrall, Volente, Webberville, Weir, West Lake Hills, Wimberley, Woodcreek, Zilker, and throughout all of Texas!