Claritycon2026: Full Schedule

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

8:30am CDT

The Importance of Vicarious Trauma - 1.5 CE hours

Tuesday July 14, 2026 8:30am - 9:50am CDT

Stars at Night Ballroom

Objectives:

Define Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and Controlled Empathy & become aware of the impact that Vicarious Trauma has on their team members and themselves
Discover the ways to internally best handle stress within their lives and best assist others that are experiences Vicarious Trauma
Better recognize “red flags” that appear in others and themselves when stress seems to be weighing on them

Abstract
This Session will understanding the importance of Vicarious Trauma on an individual. This session will not only explain recognition of Vicarious trauma, but also the differences that it has with Burnout and Controlled Empathy. This session will allow each person to inner evaluate themselves and to also better equip themselves with being able to help others that are dealing with Vicarious Trauma in their lives before it is too late.

CBMT & NCTRC Approved

Speakers

Gregory Williams, PhD

Senior Leadership Team at Baylor College of Medicine’s OB/GYN Department, Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. Gregory Williams is on the Senior Leadership Team at Baylor College of Medicine’s OB/GYN Department located in Texas Children’s Hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. He has a PhD in Counseling and is a well-known speaker/teacher. He travels the... Read More →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 8:30am - 9:50am CDT
Stars at Night Ballroom

Keynote session

11:35am CDT

Relationships: Reclaiming Our Reason for Being - 1 CE hours

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:35am - 12:30pm CDT

Stars at Night Ballroom

Objectives:

Participants will understand the evolutionary foundations of social neuroscience.
Participants will learn how relationships shape our development and wellbeing across our lifetimes.
Participants will consider strategies to improve the state of relationships at both individual and population levels.

Abstract
This presentation explores the vital role human relationships play in shaping wellbeing across the lifespan, drawing on peerreviewed research from neuroscience, evolutionary biology, health psychology, and social science. We examine how the brain is fundamentally wired for connection, how social bonds evolved to enhance survival, and how strong relationships contribute to longevity and resilience through measurable biological pathways. The session also highlights the growing impact of modern systems on social networks—both strengthening and weakening relational depth—and offers interactive opportunities for participants to reflect on their own circles of connection. This presentation demonstrates that relationships with ourselves, our family, peers, and wider communities are not just beneficial, but essential to human thriving.

Statement of need:
While modern definitions of connection and social networks are broadening, the need to establish and strengthen face-to-face relationships is more important than ever for human wellbeing and cooperation.

CBMT & NCTRC Approved

Speakers

Lauren Geraghty, MA

Chief Strategy Officer, Communities In Schools of San Antonio

Lauren’s professional background began in organizational development with a private investment firm before she made the transition into education and spent over 4 years supporting the launch of a San Antonio based education non-profit and an education-consulting firm with national... Read More →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:35am - 12:30pm CDT
Stars at Night Ballroom

Keynote session