A free on-demand workshop for Veteran parents of elementary-age children — where trauma-informed parenting meets the healing power of creative play.
🎁 First 100 families receive a FREE take-home art Tool Kit — limited kits available
About the Workshop
Military life is demanding. Coming home can be just as challenging. This workshop was built specifically for Veteran parents who want practical, research-backed tools to reduce stress, reconnect with their children, and build lasting family resilience — all through the lens of art and creative expression.
Watch on your own time. No appointments, no waiting rooms, no judgment.
Watch anytime, as many times as you need. Designed around your schedule.
Simple, meaningful art projects to do together as a family — no art experience needed.
Evidence-based parenting tools grounded in the science of stress and resilience.
Books, art supplies, and guided activity cards mailed directly to your home.
What You'll Learn
Every module is grounded in trauma-informed care and designed to be immediately useful at home — whether you have 5 minutes or an afternoon.
Learn how deployment, transitions, and reintegration affect both parents and children — and why that matters for everyday connection.
Practical, compassionate strategies that help you respond to your child's big emotions without feeling overwhelmed yourself.
How creative expression helps children process experiences they may not have words for — and how to use it at home.
Simple side-by-side activities that calm your nervous system and your child's at the same time.
How to weave short creative rituals into your week to strengthen emotional connection over time.
A clear, judgment-free guide to recognizing when you or your child may benefit from additional professional resources.
Take-Home Art Tool Kit
The first 100 families to register receive a free art Tool Kit packed with carefully curated materials to support the workshop activities at home. No shopping required.
Limited supply — kits reserved on a first-come, first-served basis
"Art has always been one of the most powerful ways families reconnect. This kit puts those tools right in your hands."
— Dr. Danessa Mayo, CEO & Founder, My Good Brain
Who This Is For
You don't need any art experience, a diagnosis, or a crisis to benefit. This is for every military-connected family that wants more connection and calm.
You've served. Now let us support you in one of the most important missions of your life — raising your kids.
Whether you're parenting solo during deployment or navigating reintegration together, this is for you too.
Designed for families with children ages 5 through 12 — the years when connection and routines matter most.
Moving, separating from service, or adjusting to a new normal? Creative tools can ease the adjustment for the whole family.
Your Facilitators
CEO & Founder, My Good Brain
Licensed clinical psychologist and practicing visual artist. Dr. Mayo founded My Good Brain to prove that art and mental wellness belong together — especially for young people and their families.
VA San Diego Healthcare System, CESAMH
A specialist in veteran mental health and family resilience at the VA San Diego Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health. Dr. Hemmy brings deep clinical expertise in supporting military families through transition and reintegration.
Additional Resources
You don't have to navigate this alone. Below are trusted resources for veteran families, alongside more ways to connect with My Good Brain.
Free services, training, and peer mentoring for family caregivers of veterans. Resources available online and through local VA facilities.
caregiver.va.gov →Free, confidential support for veterans and their families, available 24/7. Call, text, or chat anytime you need to talk.
Dial 988, then Press 1 →Explore our San Diego programs — from Scrap Lab to Teen Creative Arts — for children and families of all backgrounds.
mygoodbrain.org →Free confidential help with parenting, child development, financial counseling, and more for service members and their families.
militaryonesource.mil →Evidence-based guidance on children's mental health, learning, and development — trusted by families and educators nationwide.
childmind.org →Sign up for our newsletter for family art activity ideas, upcoming programs, and resources delivered to your inbox.
Join our community →Common Questions
Yes, completely free. The workshop, video content, and all digital materials are 100% free for all participating families, made possible by the VA San Diego Healthcare System Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH) Grant.
No. This program is open to any veteran, active duty service member, military spouse, or military-connected parent of elementary-age children. VA enrollment is not required.
The workshop is designed for families with children roughly ages 5 through 12 (elementary school age). Many of the core concepts and parenting strategies are relevant for families with children slightly outside that range as well.
None at all. The activities are designed for everyday families — not artists. If you receive a free Tool Kit, all the materials you need will be included. For families who don't receive a kit, the workshop activities are designed around common household items.
After you register, you'll receive an email with your access link. The workshop is on-demand, so you can watch any time, at your own pace, as many times as you'd like.
Kits are available to the first 100 families who sign up and provide a mailing address in the registration form. Once kits are reserved, we'll mail yours directly to your home. Supplies are limited, so sign up soon!
My Good Brain is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization based in San Diego and the SF Bay Area. Founded by Dr. Danessa Mayo — a licensed clinical psychologist and visual artist — MGB promotes youth mental wellness through art and play. Learn more at mygoodbrain.org.