Celebrating community, education, and connection on World Mental Health Day
OATH Therapy Treatment Team
Pictured from left: Abeeb Oki, MEd, LPC-Associate, Saharah Shrout, MA, LPC-S, Megan Pike, MEd, LPC-Associate & Yara Alkhush, MA, LPC-Associate
(Associates Supervised by Saharah Shrout, MA, LPC-S, TX license #65411)
This year, OATH Therapy was proud to sponsor the OCD Texas Annual Symposium and Mental Health Fair in The Woodlands, bringing together mental health professionals, individuals with lived experience, families, and advocates who share a commitment to improving understanding and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
For our team, being part of this event was about more than supporting a symposium. It was an opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about OCD awareness, share resources, learn from one another, and continue working toward a future where people affected by OCD can find knowledgeable, compassionate support.
OATH Therapy’s founder and clinical director, Saharah Shrout, MA, LPC-S, who also serves as the Board Secretary for OCD Texas, joined fellow members of the OCD Texas Board of Directors in presenting “When Anxiety Runs in the Family: An Interactive Workshop on Reducing Accommodations & Coaching Caregivers.”
Anxiety can affect more than the individual experiencing it. It can influence family relationships, daily routines, and the ways loved ones respond to distress. Caregivers often accommodate anxiety out of love and a genuine desire to help, sometimes without realizing how these well-intentioned responses can unintentionally reinforce anxiety over time.
The presentation focused on understanding family accommodation and helping caregivers recognize ways they can support their loved ones while encouraging greater confidence, independence, and willingness to face anxiety.
At OATH Therapy, we recognize the important role families can play in treatment, particularly when working with children and adolescents experiencing OCD and anxiety. Supporting caregivers with practical tools and a better understanding of anxiety can be an important part of helping the entire family move forward.
The Importance of Community in OCD Awareness
One of the most meaningful parts of events like the OCD Texas Annual Symposium is the opportunity to come together with people who share a common goal: making OCD better understood and effective treatment more accessible.
OCD can be misunderstood, minimized, or misrepresented. Individuals and families may spend years trying to make sense of their experiences before finding an accurate diagnosis or connecting with a therapist who understands OCD-specific treatment.
Community events help bridge that gap. They create opportunities to share information, connect people with resources, reduce stigma, and remind individuals and families that they are not alone.
We are grateful to OCD Texas, the fellow presenters, community partners, and everyone who attended and contributed to this year's event. We are especially proud to support the ongoing work of an organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for people affected by OCD throughout Texas.
Kicking Off OCD Awareness Week on World Mental Health Day
This year's symposium took place on October 10, World Mental Health Day, making the gathering especially meaningful as we kicked off OCD Awareness Week.
Mental health awareness is about more than starting conversations. It is also about making sure those conversations lead to greater understanding, access to appropriate care, and meaningful support for individuals and families.
For people living with OCD, awareness includes recognizing that OCD is more than being particular, organized, or worried. It is a real mental health condition that can cause significant distress and interfere with everyday life. With appropriate, evidence-based treatment, people with OCD can learn to respond differently to intrusive thoughts, reduce compulsive behaviors, and reconnect with the activities and relationships that matter to them.
As OCD Awareness Week begins, we encourage individuals, families, educators, and other professionals to continue learning about OCD, challenge common misconceptions, and help connect those who may be struggling with appropriate resources.
Proud to Be Part of the OCD Texas Community
At OATH Therapy, our commitment to OCD treatment extends beyond the therapy room. We believe education, collaboration, and community involvement are essential to improving the experiences of people living with OCD and anxiety.
We are honored to have sponsored this year's OCD Texas Annual Symposium and grateful for the opportunity to learn, share, and connect alongside so many dedicated professionals and advocates.
Continuing to Support OCD Texas
Our support for OCD Texas extends beyond the Annual Symposium. We are proud to support the organization’s ongoing efforts to provide education, advocacy, community connections, and resources for individuals and families affected by OCD across Texas.
Events throughout the year create opportunities to bring people together, raise awareness, and remind those living with OCD that they are not alone. We look forward to continuing to support OCD Texas and its work, including the upcoming Annual One Million Steps for OCD Walk in McKinney, Texas, on October 23.
The walk is another opportunity for individuals, families, mental health professionals, and advocates to come together in support of OCD awareness. Whether participating in an event, sharing educational resources, or helping someone connect with specialized treatment, every effort contributes to a stronger and more informed OCD community.
We encourage our OATH Therapy community to learn more about upcoming events and ways to get involved with OCD Texas. Supporting these efforts helps keep important conversations going long after OCD Awareness Week ends.
Looking for Support With OCD or Anxiety?
Whether you are seeking information for yourself or someone you care about, learning about OCD and connecting with appropriate support can be an important first step. At OATH Therapy, we provide specialized treatment for OCD and anxiety and work collaboratively with clients and families to help them move toward meaningful change.
If you have questions about treatment or would like to explore whether therapy may be a good fit, we welcome you to reach out to OATH Therapy. You do not have to navigate OCD or anxiety alone.