Category: Resources

When disaster strikes—whether it’s flooding, a fire, or another crisis—it’s not just adults who feel shaken. Kids notice everything. They sense stress, overhear conversations, and sometimes directly experience scary events themselves.

As parents, caregivers, and community members, we often wonder: How do I talk to my child about something so complicated?

In this video, Dr. Kasi Howard, founder of Innova Recovery Center, shares heartfelt advice for having these important conversations with children after traumatic events:

Here’s what she recommends:

1. Be Honest, But Gentle

Children are incredibly perceptive. Dr. Howard says it best:

“Kids are big old truth sniffers.”

They can tell when adults are withholding information or not being honest. It’s essential to convey the truth but with discretion. Skip the graphic or frightening details that could further traumatize them. Focus on sharing just the basic facts calmly and clearly.

2. Avoid Figurative Language

While phrases like “they live on in our hearts” may comfort adults, they can confuse young children who think literally.

Instead, use simple, concrete words. For example: “We will always be able to remember them.” This helps kids process their feelings without confusion.

3. Encourage Expression Through Activities

Children often express their emotions through creative outlets. Drawing or writing can help them make sense of what’s happening. Dr. Howard also suggests empowering children to help others:

• Making cards for kids affected by the flooding
• Collecting donations, like bottled water or supplies

These simple actions help children feel less powerless and show them they can make a difference, even during hard times.

4. Limit Exposure to News & Media

During crises, it’s tempting to keep news channels on or scroll social media for constant updates. But this can overwhelm kids quickly.

Be mindful of the amount of news your child is exposed to. Instead, choose quiet, calming activities together and only share updates that are necessary for them to understand.

5. Share Stories of Hope & Rescue

Balance difficult news with positive stories about helpers, heroes, and community support. These uplifting examples can restore hope and remind kids that even in scary times, people are good and caring.

6. Reassure Them of Their Safety

Perhaps most importantly, children need reassurance that they are safe. Remind them: “You are safe here with us.” Hearing these words and feeling your calm presence helps ease their worries. Also, remember that sometimes the best reassurance isn’t verbal—it’s physical. Try offering physical comfort, such as extra hugs or holding hands, even just sitting close. These small gestures signal that they are protected and cared for.

When to Seek Extra Help

If your child appears highly anxious, withdrawn, or overwhelmed, it may be time to consult a professional. Innova Recovery Center offers trauma-informed counseling for children and families, including scholarships and resources for those affected by disasters like the Central Texas floods. Learn more about our recovery efforts here.

You’re not alone in this. Help is here at Innova. Call us at (210) 254-3618.

Together, we can help children heal and grow, even through the toughest times.

When school lets out, teens often gain more freedom, but they can also lose structure, connection, and emotional stability. While summer is a break from academics, it shouldn’t be a break from mental health support. This time of year might be the best opportunity to give your teen the help they truly need.

“We see so many teens struggling over summer because they’ve lost that sense of structure and connection they get during the school year,” said Carol Flores-Whorton, Lead Clinical Therapist at Innova Joy New Braunfels. “Our goal with the summer program is to create a safe space where they can feel supported, be themselves, and start to heal, while still getting to be a kid.”

That’s exactly why we created the Innova Joy’s Summer Program: to give teens a healthy balance of therapeutic care, peer support, and fun. Below are five signs your teen might need extra support this summer, and how our program can help.

1. Withdrawing From Friends and Family
A little downtime is normal, but if your teen spends most of their time alone, refuses to hang out with friends, or isolates themselves from the family, it may be a red flag.

According to the CDC, 4 in 10 high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a common cause of social withdrawal.¹ Without the daily structure of school, these symptoms can worsen over the summer.

Our summer program features therapeutic group sessions, providing teens with a safe and supportive space to connect with their peers. These sessions help break isolation and build community, something every teen needs, especially during tough seasons.

2. Extreme Mood Swings or Increased Irritability
Everyone gets moody sometimes, but intense highs and lows, or outbursts of anger, may indicate deeper emotional struggles. Our licensed therapists specialize in trauma-informed care and emotional regulation. Through individual and group therapy, teens learn to better understand and manage their emotions in healthy ways.

3. Changes in Sleep or Eating Habits
Sleeping all day, staying up all night, skipping meals, or overeating can all be signs that your teen is emotionally off balance. When routine disappears during the summer, these habits can quickly spiral out of control. We have a structured daily schedule that helps teens reestablish healthy routines while still allowing them the freedom they need.  We focus on the connection between mind and body because when teens feel physically stable, they’re better equipped to heal emotionally.

4. Lack of Motivation or Loss of Interest in Hobbies
Has your once-active teen suddenly lost interest in everything they used to love? Apathy can be a major warning sign of depression or burnout. Left unaddressed, it can lead to deeper disengagement and even risky behaviors. 

Innova Joy blends therapy with creativity and fun, think expressive arts, movement, and experiential activities. These aren’t just for fun, they’re clinically designed to re-engage the parts of the brain that thrive on curiosity, joy, and connection.

5. Talking about Hopelessness or Self-Harm
Any mention of hopelessness, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens aged 15-24.²

At Innova Joy, we are trained to recognize and respond to these warning signs with compassion and clinical expertise. Our summer program is a safe and supportive space where teens can talk openly, receive help, and build genuine hope for the future.

Let This Summer Be a Turning Point
If any of these signs sound familiar, now is the time to act. Summer doesn’t have to be a season of struggle, it can be a time of transformation. At Innova Joy, our Summer 2025 Program is designed to help teens regain stability, process trauma, build confidence, and connect with others. 

Learn more about our programs for teens in New Braunfels and Boerne, and enroll today.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Youth Risk Behavior Survey. ↩︎
2. National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Suicide statistics. ↩︎

Why Summer Is the Best Time for Teen Therapy
When the school year ends, most teens look forward to a break from homework, early mornings, and packed schedules. But for many, summer isn’t all sunshine and freedom, especially for those already struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or emotional challenges. Without the structure and social connection that school provides, some teens spiral deeper into isolation, risky behavior, or worsening mental health.

Over 60% of U.S. youth experience at least one traumatic event before age 16.¹ In 2023, 4 out of 10 high school students felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row that they stopped doing their usual activities.² This is a reminder that many teens are quietly struggling and need real support.

That’s why summer can actually be the best time for teen therapy. And at Innova Joy, we’ve designed our summer programs with that exact idea in mind. 

A Space Built for Teens
Innova Joy is a trauma treatment center and therapeutic day school for teens ages 12 to 17. We represent a beacon of hope for families seeking compassionate mental health support to help teens stabilize, heal, and rediscover joy. With locations in Boerne and New Braunfels, we offer teens a safe and supportive space designed to promote healing, connection, and growth. Both campuses provide a peaceful, engaging environment where teens can step away from daily stressors and focus on their emotional well-being through structured therapy, meaningful relationships, and real-life skills.

A Break From Academic Stress
During the school year, therapy often gets squeezed in between classes, extracurriculars, and homework. Teens are already overwhelmed, and it can be hard for them to fully engage in therapy when their mental energy is spent elsewhere.

For most teens, school is their biggest source of stress, something 83% of teens report feeling.³ When summer hits, that pressure finally lifts. It’s a rare window where teens can breathe, recharge, and focus on their mental health without the constant demands of school pulling them in every direction.

Summer creates a natural pause and offers the gift of time. Without the pressure of academic demands, teens have more space to focus on themselves, build emotional skills, and do the deeper work that healing requires.

Real-Life Skills in a Fun, Engaging Environment
Healing isn’t just about sitting in a therapist’s office. Teens need to experience connection, joy, and self-expression.

Our summer camp blends evidence-based therapy with creative outlets like art, music, mindfulness, and outdoor play. It’s therapy that feels like real life, helping teens practice emotional regulation, build relationships, and boost confidence in ways that stick long after summer ends.

A Fresh Start Before the New School Year
Starting therapy in the summer gives teens the chance to build a solid emotional foundation before heading back to school. Whether it’s managing anxiety, improving relationships, or processing trauma, the progress made over the summer can help them feel more prepared and empowered in the fall.

Addressing trauma early makes a big difference; it helps teens better manage their emotions, reduces PTSD symptoms, and builds lasting resilience for the future.

Personalized, Teen-Centered Care at Innova Joy
At Innova Joy, we specialize in mental health care for teens. Our licensed therapists speak their language, our space is designed with their comfort in mind, and our programs are built around their needs and not just checklists.

What We Provide:

• Trauma-informed care
• Evidence-based therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR, Art & Music Therapy, and more)
• Group connection with peers
• A safe, no-judgment environment
• Fun, structured activities that support healing
• Locations in Boerne and New Braunfels
• Insurance-friendly options + scholarships available

What We Treat:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood Disorders
• PTSD 
• Trauma
• Sexual Abuse
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Trouble at School/Home
• Behavioral Issues

Our team is committed to helping teens develop emotional resilience, social skills, and healthy coping strategies in a place that feels like home.

Make This Summer Count
If your teen is struggling, don’t wait for things to get worse when school starts. Summer is the perfect time to hit pause, get support, and reset.

Innova Joy offers summer therapy programs at our Boerne and New Braunfels locations, making it easier for families to access care nearby. Spots for Summer 2025 are limited, so contact us now to sign up today. 

Let this be the summer that changes everything.

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Understanding Child Trauma https://www.samhsa.gov/child-trauma/understanding-child-trauma ↩︎
2. CDC – Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023 https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/index.html ↩︎
3. American Psychological Association (APA) – Stress in America: Are Teens Adopting Adults’ Stress Habits? https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/teen-stress ↩︎

Every Child Deserves a Chance
May is National Foster Care Month, and at Innova Joy, we’re taking time to honor the resilience of foster children and shine a light on the kind of support that can truly make a difference.

Roughly 75% of the kids we treat have been through the foster care system. Of those, about 70% have been adopted, and 50% have been through CPS.  These children have often experienced trauma, loss, and instability, and many struggle to feel safe in a world that has let them down. 

At Innova Joy, we specialize in helping these kids heal. We don’t just offer structure. We offer connection, consistency, and a safe place where they can begin to rebuild trust. Our team understands the unique challenges faced by children from foster and adoptive backgrounds, and we’re committed to walking alongside them with compassion and care.

A Safe Place to Heal and Learn
Innova Joy isn’t just a therapy provider. We’re a therapeutic day school. That means our kids receive mental health support and education in one safe, consistent environment designed specifically for healing and growth.

Many of the children we serve have had difficulty in traditional school settings due to trauma responses, behavioral challenges, or emotional needs that weren’t being met. Our program is built around the understanding that kids can’t learn if they don’t feel safe.

We create that safety through trauma-informed therapy, small class sizes, predictable routines, and caring adults who meet kids where they are every day.

When Support Makes All the Difference
One of our students came to Innova Joy when he was 13, not long after being adopted from foster care. He was having a really hard time, being bullied at school, struggling with self-harm, and dealing with anxiety and trauma that made it hard to function day to day. He was angry, overwhelmed, and didn’t feel safe anywhere.

He spent about four months with us. During that time, we worked closely with him and his family to create consistency, build trust, and help him feel supported. Slowly but surely, he began to open up, regulate, and find his footing again.

Now, he’s in high school and doing so well. He’s on the basketball team, plays in the band, and just went to his first school formal. His mom told us, “Thank you for saving my son’s life.”

“Every kid deserves a chance to feel safe, connected, and hopeful about their future. That’s why we show up every day, for them.” Founder of Innova Joy, Dr. Kasi Howard

Tailored Support That Makes a Difference
We know that kids in foster care need more than one-size-fits-all solutions. That’s why we offer:

• Individual and group therapy grounded in trauma-informed care.
• Family therapy and caregiver support, including foster families.
• Personalized academic instruction that supports both learning and healing.
• Collaboration with case workers, schools, and agencies to ensure consistency.
• A team that shows up, listens, and never gives up on a child.

We help kids feel safe, connected, and supported, so they can begin to trust, regulate, and move forward.

Two Locations, One Mission
Right now, more than 369,000 children are in foster care across the U.S.¹ Many of them are dealing with layers of trauma, on top of the everyday challenges of just being a kid. And far too often, they fall through the cracks when it comes to mental health and education.At Innova Joy, we make sure that doesn’t happen. With therapeutic day school campuses in Boerne and New Braunfels, we provide a safe, consistent space where foster kids can receive the structure they need and the compassion they deserve, so they can not only recover, but truly thrive.

Let’s Keep Showing Up for These Kids
Whether you’re a foster parent, caregiver, caseworker, teacher, or someone who cares, thank you. You’re part of the community that makes healing possible. If you know a child who could benefit from a therapeutic day school setting and compassionate mental health care, reach out. We’re here to walk alongside them. Serving families in Boerne and New Braunfels, Innova Joy offers a safe place for kids to learn, grow, and heal.

Reach out today to speak with our team and learn more about our programs.
Because every child deserves a chance – and a safe place to learn, grow, heal, and experience joy. 

1. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau. 
   https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/afcars-report-31
   
   ↩︎

Individual Therapy (Outpatient Treatment)

This is the level of care most people are familiar with. Typically this is once a week, for a 50 min session. These sessions are great to address issues of the past and present that are causing mild to moderate distress but are not interfering with overall functioning on a day-to-day basis. If this is not effective, it may be time to consider a higher level of care.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)

In general, an IOP is three days out of the week for at least three hours per day. Individual therapy is also a key part of IOP. The programs can vary, possibly being more days and more hours. These programs offer more opportunities for skill building, to address issues on a more in-depth level, and should be specialty-based. That means survivors of trauma should have a trauma-specific IOP and so forth. Individuals who are struggling to attend work and/or school, having severe relationship issues, and experiencing interference in their daily lives as a result of their symptoms are appropriate for this level of care. IOP clients can keep themselves safe by maintaining basic life activities such as showering and eating and do not have severe suicidal or self-harm thoughts. If these things are present, a higher level of care is warranted.

Day Treatment / PHP

These types of programs are 5-7 days per week, for 6-9 hours per day. Interventions include group therapy, individual therapy, and medication management as warranted. At this point in their care, patients, their families, and their providers have identified that treatment needs to be the primary focus rather than work or other family responsibilities and that taking a step back from work and/or school to focus on self-care and recovery is critical.

Residential Treatment

This is what most people think of as “rehab.” However, there are residential therapy options for issues other than substance abuse. These include eating disorders, depression, and trauma to name a few. This level of care is for those who struggle to keep themselves safe, complete daily responsibilities, and maintain key relationships. Additionally, those who want to kickstart recovery with intense intervention can choose residential treatment. Being away from the demands of life which can be distracting from one’s personal goals of healing can provide much-needed focus and relief.

Aftercare and Support Groups

Once an individual has transitioned from a more intense level of care, ongoing support is critical to maintaining recovery. Aftercare might include regular check-ins with mental health professionals, medication management, or continued therapy. Support groups, both in-person and online, also play a vital role in many individuals’ recovery. These groups offer a supportive and understanding community for individuals to share their experiences, struggles, and successes.

Overall, mental health care and trauma recovery are not one-size-fits-all. Each person’s journey will be unique, and their level of care should be tailored to meet their individual needs. The critical aspect is getting the help one needs and seeking a higher level of care when necessary.