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We were proud to be a gold sponsor for the Austin OCD Walk on November 2nd. We are even more proud that our own Katy Rothfelder chaired the event. Thanks to everyone who came out to connect, share stories, and raise awareness of what it really means to have OCD.

Spectrum News recently interviewed Dr. Ryan Douglas from the Anxiety Treatment Center of Austin about PTSD , who it affects, and how it affects people. The interview also tapped Brooke Fina from UT Health’s Strong Star program. We applaud Spectrum News from highlighting this serious anxiety disorder and helping viewers recognize PTSD and understand how it affects psychology and behavior. If you or a loved one might be suffering from PTSD, please visit our PTSD Test page for help assessing your situation.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Jack Tsan to the Anxiety Treatment Center of Austin. Dr. Tsan graduated with a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Houston and went to the University of Texas at Austin for his bachelor’s degree. Like many alums of Texas, he fell in love with Austin and wanted to return. He was able to make it to Austin in 2013. At that time, Dr. Tsan was employed at the Department of Veterans Affairs and led their primary care mental health team. During his stay in Austin, Dr. Tsan has taken advantage of the vibrant music and outdoor life. He enjoys swing dancing, listening to 1920-1940s jazz music, runs around town, and exploring new restaurants. Dr. Tsan has experience working with adults and young adults with a range of anxiety disorders . Additionally, given Dr. Tsan’s prior experience in health psychology, he enjoys working with patients who also have health issues often associated or impacted by anxiety. To book an appointment with Dr. Tsan today, please contact us !

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our team, Anne Joseph, M.Ed., LPC-S! Anne comes to Anxiety Treatment Center of Austin with over 13 years experience in providing intensive mental health services for children, adolescents, and families. In addition to ATCA’s specialties of anxiety and OCD, Anne carries expertise in externalizing behaviors, and with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, abuse, and/or neglect. We are grateful to have Anne on our team supporting families and children who need support and care! In addition to Anne’s clinical services with children and families, she enjoys supervising LPC-Associates. Those interested in supervision can contact Anne at anne@anxietyaustin.com.

Even though it’s not a high-stress part of the year for college students, the college experience can be incredible anxiety-inducing. The Daily Texan recently interviewed Dr. Diana Damer and several other mental health experts about anxiety . “Everyone has a tendency to focus on negative comments and experiences but with anxiety and depression, you see more of that cognitive distortion,” Dr. Damer says.

Did you know our very own Dr. Jack Tsan, PhD is also the creator, director, and host of the People of Color in Psychology Podcast!?! Check out this episode he recently hosted with our very own Dr. Christine Levya, PhD on empowering women by exploring self-views! Self-verification theory is a theory in social psychology that proposes that people have a need to have their self-concepts (or beliefs about themselves) confirmed. This need is so strong that people will often go to great lengths to ensure that their self-concepts are verified. Self-verification theory has been used to explain a wide range of human behaviors, including why people choose certain friends and jobs, why they react to feedback in certain ways, and why they make the decisions they do. In this podcast episode, we speak with Dr. Christine Leyva, who will be talking about self-verification theory and how it relates to women’s self-esteem. We will explore why it is important for women to have their self-concepts verified, and how they can go about a process of empowering themselves in a healthy and positive way.

Summer is upon us! Traveling by yourself, or with friends and family can be an exciting and memorable experience, but it can also bring challenges for those with anxiety. If you struggle with anxiety, planning ahead of time can support well being and vitality along your destinations. Here are some travel tips for people with anxiety: Plan Ahead: Take a few moments to plan ahead of time. Make a checklist of all the items you need to bring, such as medication, earplugs, or stress balls. Research your destination and create a flexible schedule of what you might want to see and do. This plan isn’t a reassurance, or a rule-to-follow. Allow it to support preparation, while also building some momentum for exciting things to come!  Take Care of Yourself: Trips are supposed to be fun! Being out of your routine, and busy with plans can also be stressful. Make sure to get enough sleep, exercise, and eat balanced meals. Bring your favorite snacks or drinks to help you feel more comfortable. Take breaks when needed, and don’t push yourself too hard. Remember, it’s okay to take some time to relax and recharge. Do Some Mini Exposures to Get Ready: Traveling may feel like one big exposure, even if it is set to be fun and relaxing. One way to prepare for larger exposures, that may be out of your control (in-vivo), is to plan other exposures with a focus on leaning into discomfort. As you approach the “hard thing,” try saying, “This is challenging for me in this moment and I know I can handle it.” The more practice we have at approaching feared situations without defenses, the more likely we are to be successful at “game time!”

We are proud to share the work of previous ATCA clinical team member Dr. Thomas Smithyman who has taken on the topic of dating and social anxiety in his new work, Dating Without Fear : Overcome Social Anxiety and Connect . Be sure to visit his website and check out this resource today! You can also catch up with Dr. Smithyman and Dr. Stout on the Anxious in Austin podcast !

Our “ Befriend Yourself: When Beating Yourself Up Stops Working ” anxiety support and therapy group is starting March 28, 2022! Led by Dr. Stout and Dr. Wheeler , this virtual therapy group is designed for adults who are facing challenges with self-judgment and shame, usually stemming from anxiety and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder . Group Status: Check Back in the Fall Call or email us for more information, or click on the link above!

The Daily Texan has published a new article about obsessive-compulsive disorder and its effect on Austin residents. They asked ATCA’s Dr. Diana Damer to participate. An excerpt appears here and you can click on the image to view the full article online.

The Daily Texan has published a new article about obsessive-compulsive disorder and its effect on Austin residents. They asked ATCA’s Dr. Diana Damer to participate. An excerpt appears here and you can view the full article online here: https://thedailytexan.com/2021/12/04/psychologists-people-with-ocd-share-experiences-harm-caused-by-misinformation/

Did you catch ATCA therapist Dr. Marianne Stout’s piece on self-kindness and self-love in Austin Lifestyle? It’s a great read. An excerpt appears here and you can click on the image to view the full article online (page 12).