Rachel Stein
LPC-S, LCDC·Clinical Director · Partner, COO
// Specialties
- EMDR Trained
- Addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar
- Self Esteem/Empowerment
- Communication Skills
- Grief and Loss
- Parenting
- Families
- Life Transitions
- Goal Setting
- LGBTQIA+
- Trauma
// Our Team
The Humans Behind Awkward Recovery.
Master's-level clinicians and recovery success specialists who treat you like a person, not a chart number.
// Meet the team behind the mission
Awkward Recovery Leadership.
Hear directly from the people who built this — what we do, why we do it, and the kind of recovery we're here to help you build.
Laurie Pettis
LCSW-S, LCDC·Lead Clinician
// Specialties
- EMDR Trained
- Addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar
- Relationships
- Communication Skills
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Abuse
- Life Transitions
- Goal Setting
- LGBTQIA+
- Trauma
Emily Keilen
LMSW, LCDC Intern·Clinician (Supervised By: Laurie Pettis)
// Specialties
- EMDR Trained
- Young Adults
- Addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Shame
- Communication Skills
- Trauma
- Life Transitions
- Goal Setting
- LGBTQIA+
- Panic Disorders
Sam McPherson
LCDC Intern, Grad Student·Clinician (Supervised By: Laurie Pettis)
// Specialties
- Young Adults
- Addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Shame
- Grief & Loss
- Communication Skills
- Trauma
- Life Transitions
- Identity
- Relationships
- Codependency
Dean Miguel Gonzales
LPC Associate·Clinician (Supervised By: Rachel Stein)
// Specialties
- Young Adults
- Addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar
- Grief & Loss
- Communication Skills
- Trauma
- Life Transitions
- Identity
- Relationships
- Codependency
Sal Mancuso
Recovery Success Manager
As a Recovery Success Manager — I'm proud to be someone that our clients can rely on; a consistent friend who helps solve problems, make decisions, and find rhythm in everyday life. Having someone solid in your corner means everything — and I'm happy to take on the job.
Micah Sall
Recovery Success Manager
Answering questions, helping solve problems, or simply being present on a tough day, I aim to show up consistently and with integrity. I genuinely care about helping people succeed. I aim to be approachable and create a space where others feel comfortable coming to me and know they'll be heard and supported.
Mike Stein
CMO, CFO
Our motto: “Life's a bitch. Sometimes we just need a little help.” Creating opportunities for connection in everyday spaces — online, in the community, and in moments when someone might not even know what they're searching for yet. My goal is to remove friction, confusion, and shame from the process of asking for help. When someone reaches out, it's there, it's clear, and it feels human.
Scott Smith
Partner, CEO
I believe leadership means listening to our team, paying attention to what our clients actually need, and making decisions that support long-term success. Awkward Recovery exists to help people build lives that are stable and meaningful, and my job is to make sure we never lose sight of that purpose as we grow.
// Community focused. Culture driven.
We Don't Aim to Survive.
We Aim to Thrive.
Our team lives the same values we ask of everyone here — honesty, accountability, compassion, and integrity. These principles drive how we make decisions and how we treat people. We build trust through consistency, transparency, and ownership. We listen before we speak. We own our mistakes. Every choice gets weighed against whether it supports sustainable recovery for the people we serve.
Honesty
We don't sugarcoat. You'll get the truth about your benefits, your timeline, and the work the recovery is going to ask of you.
Accountability
We show up consistently for the people in our care — and we hold each other to the same standard inside the team.
Compassion
Recovery is hard. We meet people where they are and treat the human in front of us, not a chart number.
Integrity
When the easy call and the right call point in different directions, we take the right one — even when no one's watching.
// How to begin
Get Started with IOP Treatment.
Four straightforward steps from first contact to your first session. Most clients begin within a week.
Step 01
Call our admissions team
Phone: (512) 616-0809. You'll get a callback within 24 hours on business days — a genuine conversation with someone who understands what you're going through. No sales pressure, no minimizing what you're dealing with. Just an honest read on whether we're the right fit.
Step 02
Initial assessment
We cover what's going on right now, your goals, the practical stuff (schedule, work obligations, insurance), and any immediate concerns. If our program isn't the right fit for what you need, we help you identify better options. No pressure to enroll.
Step 03
Benefits verification + planning
Insurance benefits verified within 24 hours, explained in plain English. If insurance doesn't cover everything, we walk you through payment options — sliding-scale fees, payment plans, transparent pricing — before any commitment.
Step 04
Begin treatment
Most clients start within 3-7 days of first contact. We do a brief intake appointment, walk you through the facility, introduce you to your therapist, and answer everything before your first session.
Questions about getting started? Schedule conflicts, group dynamics, whether IOP is even necessary?
Call (512) 616-0809
// Common questions
FAQs.
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a structured level of care that provides more support than traditional weekly therapy but allows you to live at home and maintain work and family responsibilities. Sessions typically run 3–4 hours, 3–4 days a week, for 12–16 weeks. IOP bridges the gap between traditional outpatient therapy and residential treatment.
Costs vary based on insurance. We currently work with Tricare and are actively expanding our contracts. Most plans cover 70–90% of IOP after deductibles. For everything else, we offer sliding-scale fees based on income and payment plans with no hidden charges.
Absolutely yes. Our evening sessions run 6:00–9:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We accommodate business travel and offer virtual telehealth for individual sessions (group therapy is still in-person).
Standard duration is 12–16 weeks, but the actual length is individualized based on your goals, progress, and circumstances. The complexity of what you're working through, your pace, and what's happening in your life all factor in.
Depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, PTSD, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, stimulant use disorders, and prescription medication misuse. We also offer dual-diagnosis integrated treatment for people working through both mental health and substance use challenges at once.
We currently work with Tricare and are actively expanding our networks. For other plans, call (512) 616-0809 to verify your coverage. If insurance doesn't cover everything, we offer payment plans, sliding-scale fees, and transparent pricing before any commitment.
Step 1: Call (512) 616-0809 or submit the online form — expect a callback within 24 hours. Step 2: Assessment within 2–3 days, treatment planning, and insurance verification. Step 3: Orientation and first sessions. Most clients begin within 3–7 days of initial contact.
Crisis resources — available 24/7
If You or Someone You Love Needs Help Right Now.
Crisis support is available immediately. Don't wait if you're in danger or experiencing thoughts of self-harm.
// National hotlines
// Austin + local
// Austin Crisis Hotline
(512) 472-HELP (4357)
// Local Austin crisis support
- Austin-Travis County Integral Care Crisis Services
- Dell Children's Medical Center Crisis Services
- University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center (for UT students)
For everything else, talk to admissions or call (512) 616-0809.
// Let's chat
Are You Ready?
Talk with our admissions team. Confidential, no obligation.