People often say that “kids don’t come with a manual” to illustrate the fear and frustration that comes from learning to parent one challenge at a time.
This is especially true for caregivers who face added difficulties due to the child’s mental health struggles. If mental health isn’t discussed in your family or social circles, you may not know where to begin. What you need is clarity about the realities of children’s mental illness. Explore our blogs and videos for tips!

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Adolescent Sexuality in the Age of Technology
To understand how sexuality affects the lives of adolescence, it is important to understand what the term ”adolescence” means as our understanding of it has…
read moreThe Effects of Military Life on Children with Mental Illness
Just like other institutions, the military community has its own set of values, norms and language that are unique and specific to this population. Children of military families live in…
read moreAway from home
For most of my childhood, my dad was in the Army Reserves. Our family wasn’t on the move as much as Active Duty families typically…
read moreConversations with Clarity: Month of the Military Child
On April 3, 2023, Jessica Knudsen, the President and CEO of Clarity Child Guidance Center, hosted a panel discussion on the mental health challenges facing…
read moreConversations with Clarity: Back to School, Back to Mental Health
On Sept 27, 2022, Jessica Knudsen, the President and CEO of Clarity Child Guidance Center, hosted a panel discussion on the mental health challenges facing…
read moreYouth Serving Programs and Child Safety
As the new school year begins, children go off to school and caregivers continue to work. Gaps in scheduling can mean finding others to pick…
read moreChildren’s Mental Health and Participation in Cultural Rituals
Children are the future of the world and a reflection of the present, as well the environment they are raised in. They embody our hopes…
read moreSpirituality in Childhood
Grief is an emotion so powerful that words cannot quite express the pain. Spirituality can be a powerful source of support during times of loss.…
read moreDealing with the Anger of Trauma
Trauma is generally defined in the mental health world as an emotional response to a terrible event. However, it is really a wound to the…
read moreAttention, Connection & Love: What We’re Losing and How Improv Can Help Us Heal
A dialogue from the film Lady Bird: Sister Sarah Joan: You clearly love Sacramento. Lady Bird: I do? Sister Sarah Joan: You write about Sacramento…
read moreLocal Human Trafficking
Susan Burkholder is Director of Community Engagement for Ransomed Life, a healing community for exploited girls. In this video replay she provides definitions, statistics, survivor…
read moreA Parents’ Guide To Children’s Mental Health
There are few things in life more nerve-wracking than worrying about your child and her health. In most situations parents wrestle with dozens of questions…
read more8 Volunteer Ideas For Kids To Help Instill Empathy
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, is one of the most important skills we can nurture in our children.…
read moreMental Illness Robbed my Childhood but not my Life: Lessons From my Lifelong Battle With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Elizabeth McIngvale, PhD, LMSW, is an assistant professor at Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. She is also the founder of the Peace…
read moreLanguage Matters: Helping Kids By The Way We Speak
Growing up, I saw firsthand what labeling a child can do. In elementary school, my brother was having trouble staying focused both at home and…
read moreDo More Children Struggle With Mental Illness Than Ever Before?
Few people – if any – would argue that the mental health of our children is not important. Quite the opposite, children’s mental health can…
read morePathways To Hope: Local Preacher Helps Normalize Mental Health Issues.
There are people in our lives and communities that we assume always have it together, all of the time. From the impeccable PTA volunteers at…
read moreMother Turned Filmmaker Shares The Fight For Her Child In “No Letting Go”
Parental intuition is a powerful force; one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Imagine if you instinctively knew something was wrong with your child, but everywhere…
read moreStrong Minds And Happy Hearts
As parents of tweens and teens, we must have so many challenging conversations with our children. We talk to them about the dangers of smoking,…
read moreMental Illness And The Movies
If you’re asked to name a movie character with a mental illness, what example pops into your mind? Whoever you pick, chances are the character…
read moreThe Impactful Role of Fathers on Kid’s Mental Wellness
The role of a father exists in everyone’s life story. Fathers, present or not, known or not, give us some image of what it means…
read moreSelf-Care for Parents Who Don’t Have Time
Without a good understanding of and proper attention to their own needs, parents are ill-equipped to help their kids and less able to meet their…
read moreFighting Social Isolation in Teens
In Bexar County, less than 40% of students were physically in school during COVID. Many found themselves isolated or chose to be. While some kids…
read moreSelf-Care Means Practicing What You Preach
The hierarchy of my life – a typical #momlife – goes something like kids first, then family, work, school, spouse, the household, pets, friends, planet…
read moreNon-Medical Options for Anxiety & Depression in Kids
In the past year anxiety and depression among youth has increased significantly. We know that these conditions are caused in parts by environment stress like…
read moreEstablishing Routines & Structured Virtual School Days
Culture, environment, and parenting styles will make routine very different in every family, but a balanced structure in the family life is important. With COVID, routines…
read moreBalancing Act: Living a Professional Life And Raising Small Children
Clarity Child Guidance Center’s CEO, Jessica Knudsen, mother of 3-year old twins, offers her thoughts, experience and encouragements in this conversation with the goal of…
read moreStrength Amid the Stress: Nurturing Yourself & Your Spouse
When family stress is high, communication between spouses is difficult, and their relationship has an impact on their children. It can be especially complex for…
read moreAvoiding Parenting Burn Out: How Self-Care Can Make You a Better Parent
Raising a family has always been demanding but with COVID, stressors on parents increased a lot. It is sometimes difficult to realize when we’re approaching…
read more3 Tips to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Functioning
Recently we covered some of the basics about what anxiety looks and feels like. We also talked about the ways that anxiety can be both…
read moreFinding Treatment for the New Kid on Base
As a military professional, you’re used to moving, but relocating with a special needs child can be a complex process. It takes time to find…
read moreA Parent’s Guide To Early Intervention For Psychosis In Children
Has your child been acting differently lately? Did they used to be organized, outgoing, and actively involved in class and social activities but have recently…
read moreYour Child’s Teacher Can Be A Powerful Advocate In The Classroom
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, autism, or another learning disability need support in all aspects of their lives, especially in the classroom.…
read moreTypes Of Therapy Available For Your Child
It’s a common misconception that psychotherapy is a one-size-fits-all type of treatment (i.e., everyone undergoes the same kind of therapy). But there are actually many…
read moreChampioning Your Military Child: How To Advocate For Their Success And Mental Health
The role of an advocate is to support, speak on behalf of, promote, protect, and champion. Children, even if they are nearing legal age, require…
read moreA Parent’s Guide To Battling Teen Suicide
A suicide epidemic currently exists among teens. In fact, you’ve probably heard many startling statistics, such as that suicide is the second-leading cause of death between…
read moreMental Health Support For Your Child At School – Who’s On The Team?
When children are struggling with mental health issues, their performance at school is often one of the first indicators. Your child’s teachers are in the…
read moreDoes My Child Have An Eating Disorder?
Is your child normally engaged and motivated but suddenly having trouble paying attention? Are they more withdrawn than usual? It might be tempting to write…
read moreCould A 504 Plan Help Your Child Do Better In School?
Many parents are familiar with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), which are an important part of the school day for children with disabilities. IEPs lay out the…
read moreIs my child autistic?
With more attention from media and increased public awareness, caregivers are increasingly concerned about the possibility that their child is autistic. Before jumping into addressing…
read moreWhen work and life don’t balance, serious life crises can trigger a cascade of employment problems—unless you know how to handle them
I’ll never forget the morning my son went to juvenile detention. I was conducting a community general education advisory board meeting for the college where…
read moreA Parent’s Guide To Battling Teen Suicide
A suicide epidemic currently exists among teens. In fact, you’ve probably heard many startling statistics, such as that suicide is the second-leading cause of death between…
read moreSecuring Your Safety Net: How Collaborating With Your Child On A Crisis Plan Can Keep All Of You Safe
That November morning started like any other. I was making pancakes in the kitchen while my 7-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son set the table. Their…
read moreFeeling Gratitude In A Valley Of Shadows: What One Mother Has Gained From Her Son’s Serious Mental Illness
In November 2010, I celebrated my first Thanksgiving as a full time single parent of a very special boy who had an un-diagnosed serious mental…
read moreAfter A Suicide Attempt: How To Support The Child And The Family
Suicide attempts among teenagers are on the rise, and too often we hear heartbreaking stories in the news of children and teens who attempt or…
read moreYou’re Not Alone: Finding A Support System When Your Child Struggles With Mental Illness
When children are sick with physical illnesses like cancer, the entire community rallies around the family. Friends bring casseroles, offer to watch the child’s siblings…
read moreWhat Is A Good Post-Treatment Plan?
As a psychotherapist, I’ve seen what it like is to be a concerned parent of a child with a mental illness diagnosis. I’ve heard their…
read moreNavigating Summer Plans For A Child With Mental Illness: Pools, Popsicles, And Paying For Special Needs Care
My youngest daughter turns 13 in a few weeks. For the first summer in ten years of balancing work and motherhood, I don’t have to…
read moreNobody’s Perfect: Trusting Yourself—And Forgiving Yourself—Can Be Critical When Parenting A Child With Mental Illness
I’m a recovering perfectionist. In my writing, I’m always looking for a better way to phrase things (I’ve revised this sentence four times). As a…
read moreThe Worth Of One: Teaching Our Children To Value Their Worth Is Vital To Their Mental Health
I’ll never forget the day that my then four-year-old son Eric told me he just wanted to be a zero. “It hurts too much, Mom,”…
read morePerspective from a Military Child
Sarah and her dad on a boat in Paris, France Have you ever heard the expression, “Bloom where you are planted?” I heard this phrase…
read moreThe Clarity Staff’s Stories On Military Life & Kids
As part of Month of the Military Child, the Clarity Child Guidance Center staff chose to share some of their own experiences to increase appreciation…
read moreMonth of the Military Child 2021
If you’re a military parent, you know how your children serve our country. In his recent Month of the Military Child proclamation, President Biden declared:…
read moreAdjusting your family from active duty to civil life
Is your family transitioning from active duty to civil life? This transition can be very challenging. Not only the active duty member makes a shift…
read moreStrength Amid the Stress: Nurturing Yourself & Your Spouse
When family stress is high, communication between spouses is difficult, and their relationship has an impact on their children. It can be especially complex for…
read moreQuick Reference Guide: Military Health Insurance For Children’s Mental Health
When a child is in need of mental health services, understanding health insurance benefits and processes is an important part of coordinating proper care. For…
read moreTransitioning From a Service Member to Veteran or Retiree: Challenges That Military-Connected Families Face and How to Overcome Them
In my work with military families, I hear often that transitioning out of the military was just as hard (and sometimes even harder!) than the…
read moreFinding Treatment for the New Kid on Base
As a military professional, you’re used to moving, but relocating with a special needs child can be a complex process. It takes time to find…
read moreThe Wounded Warrior Parents’ Guide: How To Talk With Your Child About Physical And Invisible Injuries
Military service requires sacrifice and constant change. Unfortunately, for some service members, that change can include physical, emotional, and/or cognitive injuries. Any combination of these…
read moreWhat Does A Mental Health Diagnosis Mean For You And Your Child? This 4-Step Process Can Help You Adjust
Following a mental health diagnosis for your child, you may feel concerned, uncertain, and even fearful. On one hand, you finally have some answers. On…
read moreA Parent’s Guide To Early Intervention For Psychosis In Children
Has your child been acting differently lately? Did they used to be organized, outgoing, and actively involved in class and social activities but have recently…
read more10 Things to Know About Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Colleen Bridger, MPH, PhD, was named assistant city manager in July 2019 for San Antonio. She oversees the Health, Parks and Recreation and Human Services…
read moreThe Power to Change Their Story
Timothy Johanson, MD, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Arizona where he teaches the next generation of baby doctors. His research…
read moreUnderstanding Secondary Trauma Stress – A Guide For Families
When a child is injured or traumatized in some way, it’s not unusual for the parents to also experience some emotional impact from the trauma. This…
read moreThe Month Of The Military Child: Strength, Resilience, And Challenges For The Youth Of Our Service Members
“We are the children of warriors. And although it was initially a role not of our choosing, it is a role perpetuated by many of…
read moreAgoraphobia: What To Look For And How To Help
Is your happy-go-lucky teen suddenly avoiding situations they once found enjoyable, such as hanging out with friends, going to movies, or joining in on family…
read moreHuman Trafficking in Texas and the Community Response
Chuck Paul is Outreach Specialist for the Roy Maas Youth Alternatives Centro Seguro Drop-In Center in San Antonio. In this video presentation he discusses the truth about…
read moreWhat Parents Need To Know About The Opioid Crisis
As parents, your number one goal is to help your child live a happy and healthy life. You want to protect them from any kind…
read more5 Common Myths About Child Mental Illness That Could Keep Parents From Seeking Help
The stigma surrounding mental health can cause a gap in awareness for parents and lead to myths concerning child mental illness. Awareness is clearly needed…
read moreDefining trauma
Defining trauma has been a challenge across many fields over the past few decades. This is in part because it must go beyond identifying specific…
read morehow to craft your crisis plan
Crisis plans, also known as safety plans, are a great tool that allow us to prevent, recognize, prepare for, and respond to a mental health crisis. While…
read moreWhen Traumatic Stress Looks Like ADHD or ODD: Digging for the “Root” of Behavior
Let’s say you wake up one morning with a sore throat. You go to the doctor, and they give you a physical exam and ask…
read moreThe New Normal: What Will Be Different When Teachers Return to School This August?
For most teachers, myself included, the start of school in August 2020 was unlike anything we had ever experienced. In the fall, instead of returning…
read more4 Ways to Navigate Feelings of Isolation or Disconnection During COVID
Being an educator has always been a rewarding yet challenging profession, but it has become particularly challenging in unique ways during the COVID-19 pandemic. From…
read moreHow Coaches Can Protect Athletes’ Mental Health
Coaches have a unique relationship with their athletes. They are in a great position to gauge how a child is doing and redirect students who…
read moreUnderstanding Self-Harming Behaviors and Students: The Basics for Teachers
Self-harm or self-injury is often used as a way to manage intense emotional distress. At its core, intentionally hurting oneself is a coping mechanism that…
read moreFinding the One in a Sea of Zoom Faces: How Can Online Educators Identify Students Who May Have Mental Health Concerns?
As teachers, we are used to noticing the student who just doesn’t seem engaged, or who is absent too often, or who always feels sick…
read moreHow COVID affects student mental health — and you can help
This school year looks very different compared to last year. The phrase “social distancing” is now part of our everyday vocabulary, and masks are now…
read moreDetecting Child Abuse During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As teachers adapt to the complex challenges of online instruction during the coronavirus pandemic, another vital area can’t be forgotten: detecting signs of child abuse…
read moreHow families can deal with what they can’t control: lessons learned from COVID-19
COVID-19 was dramatic in many ways, including the frequent, unexpected changes we couldn’t control. More than ever, families experienced a feeling of helplessness. In the…
read moreHistorical Timeline: Clarity Child Guidance Center Celebrates 135 Years in 2021
2021 marks 135 years of Clarity Child Guidance Center’s mission to help children, adolescents, and families overcome the disabling effects of mental illness and improve…
read morePresentations & Speakers for Claritycon Reimagined on April 9, 2021
The fourth Claritycon2020-2021 Reimagined event is coming up on April 9, 2021! Tickets are still available. We hope you’ll join us online or in person!…
read moreClarity Child Guidance Center CEO on Surviving Last Week’s Weather Crisis
Extreme weather conditions had a serious impact on the functioning of Clarity CGC last week. Join our CEO Jessica Knudsen to hear some of the challenges…
read moreWarm Hearts During Cold Winter Days
The winter storm sweeping across Texas has left thousands of families without power or water for days at a time. Numerous nonprofits have risen to…
read moreInclement Weather Updates for Feb 2021
The current artic blast is causing San Antonio to experience temperatures we haven’t felt for decades. While the snow provides a little cheer, the struggles…
read moreReimagine children’s mental health education in 2021
In 2013, Clarity Child Guidance Center launched our annual children’s mental health summit called Claritycon. The 1-and-a-half day event equipped educators, therapists, physicians, social workers, childcare…
read moreHow The COVID-19 Crisis May Impact Children With Severe Mental Health Conditions & What To Do
One of the hardest things about parenting a child with a severe mental health condition is a sudden and unplanned change in daily routine. I…
read moreJoin the conversation on mental health in your neighborhood
One in Five Minds is hosting a series of Community Conversations on Children’s Mental Health throughout San Antonio. The first one will be held August…
read moreCurrent State Of Mental Health Services In San Antonio
Clarity Child Guidance Center, sponsor of the advocacy campaign One in Five Minds, held a press conference May 6, 2015, during National Children’s Mental Health…
read moreOne in Five Minds presents Claritycon2015 luncheon speaker Creigh Deeds
One in Five Minds is pleased to present the luncheon speaker for Claritycon2015 – Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds. Senator Deeds was the subject of a…
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