Claritycon2026: Full Schedule

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8:30am CDT

State of Mental Health Panel - 1.5 CE hours

Monday July 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:50am CDT

CBMT Approved

Objectives:

Identify the most significant challenges facing the State of Texas in providing community-based mental health services for children and adolescents.
Examine existing gaps in knowledge, access, and delivery of children’s mental health care.
Describe current innovative programs and emerging approaches aimed at improving mental health outcomes for children and adolescents.

Statement of need:
This session will provide attendees with a current overview of the successes, challenges, gaps, and systemic factors impacting children’s mental health services in the State of Texas to support informed, evidence-based practice.

Speakers

Senator José Menéndez

Texas State Senate

The son of immigrants, José Menéndez grew up working at his family’s small business located in San Antonio's West Side. During his terms in office, Menéndez passed over 245 bills that benefited children, seniors, veterans, and San Antonio families.  Senator Menéndez began... Read More →

Jessie Higgins, MA, LPC, LMFT

Chief Mental Health Officer, City of San Antonio

Jessie Higgins is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has a passion for improving community systems so that they are better able to provide excellent patient care and vulnerable populations are able to improve.  After graduating with... Read More →

Courtney Harvey, Ph.D., LPC-S,EOL Doula

Associate Commissioner for Mental Health Programs, Texas Health & Human Services Commission

Dr. Courtney Harvey is a Licensed Professional Counselor–Supervisor, End of Life Doula, and serves as the Associate Commissioner for Mental Health Programs within the Behavioral Health Services Division at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. She brings extensive experience... Read More →

Jessica Knudsen, LCSW, FACHE

CEO & President, Clarity Child Guidance Center

Jessica Knudsen, LCSW, FACHE, is the CEO and President of Clarity Child Guidance Center. Since joining Clarity CGC in 2019, she has successfully guided the nonprofit organization through the alarming negative effects in children’s social development, academic development, and emotional... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:50am CDT
Stars at Night Ballroom

Keynote session

11:35am CDT

Childhood Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Treatment - 1 CE hours

Monday July 13, 2026 11:35am - 12:30pm CDT

Stars at Night Ballroom

Objectives:

Explain obsessions and compulsions, and their relationship.
Discuss the proper use of measures in the assessment of OCD.
Describe evidence-based psychological treatments for OCD.

Abstract

Childhood OCD is common and impairing. Misdiagnosis is quite common with average latency between onset and diagnosis 7-12 years. Despite availability of effective interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy, many youth go without appropriate evidence-based intervention. This talk describes the nature, assessment, and evidence-based intervention for childhood OCD.

Statement of need:
This talk describes the nature and evidence-based treatment of a common childhood disorder, namely obsessive-compulsive disorder.

CBMT & NCTRC Approved

Speakers

Eric Storch, PhD

Professor & McIngvale Presidential Endowed Chair, Baylor College of Medicine

Eric Storch, Ph.D. is Professor and McIngvale Presidential Endowed Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). He serves as Vice Chair and Head of Psychology, and co-directs the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders program... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 11:35am - 12:30pm CDT
Stars at Night Ballroom

Keynote session