Take Away From - Sissy Goff: Helping Teenagers and Young Adults Find Their True Identity and Capabilities
To listen to the full podcast mentioned in this week’s blog, find it here! Sissy Goff and David Thomas’s Capable- Episode: 376
Who Are They?
Sissy Goff and David Thomas are licensed counselors, bestselling authors, and family experts who have spent decades working with children, teenagers, and parents through Daystar Counseling Ministries. As co-hosts of the Raising Boys & Girls Podcast, they share practical, research-based, and faith-informed insights to help parents better understand the emotional, social, and spiritual development of kids and teens. The podcast features conversations with experts, authors, and families, offering encouragement, parenting tools, and strategies for raising resilient, emotionally healthy, and capable children in today's world.
Alena Pitts Franklin is an author, speaker, actress, and ministry leader passionate about helping young girls discover their identity, confidence, and purpose through faith in God. Known for her role in War Room and her work with For Girls Like You Ministries, Alena encourages the next generation to build resilience and self-worth rooted in their relationship with Christ.
What Did Alena Say?
Overall, this episode offers encouragement for both parents and young people seeking to navigate life's challenges while developing a strong sense of identity, faith, and purpose.
Key Takeaways:
Identity should be rooted in God’s love rather than achievements, social status, or comparison.
Grief and hardship can become opportunities for growth, healing, and deeper faith.
Parents can have a lasting impact by leading with peace, encouragement, and authenticity.
Young people thrive when they understand their value, purpose, and capabilities.
Building a relationship with God can foster confidence, resilience, and hope for the future.
If you are a parent in Katy, Texas, who just listened to this conversation with Alena Pitts Franklin, one of the most valuable next steps is to begin having intentional conversations with your child about identity, confidence, and faith. Many teenagers and young adults are constantly receiving messages from social media, peers, and culture about who they should be and what determines their worth. Creating a safe space at home where your child feels heard, encouraged, and accepted can help counter those pressures and strengthen their sense of belonging.
How Can You Apply This Now?
Take time this summer to ask open-ended questions about your child's hopes, fears, friendships, and goals. Instead of immediately offering solutions, focus on listening and understanding their perspective. These conversations can build trust and help your child feel supported as they navigate challenges and discover their unique strengths and capabilities.
Parents can also model the principles Alena discussed by demonstrating authentic faith, resilience, and emotional health in everyday life. Children learn a great deal from observing how adults respond to disappointment, uncertainty, and success. Showing your child what it looks like to trust God during difficult seasons can have a lasting impact on their own spiritual development.
For families who feel their child may need additional support, summer can be an excellent time to connect with a counselor, mentor, or youth program. Without the added stress of school schedules and academic demands, children often have more emotional bandwidth to develop coping skills, improve self-confidence, and work through challenges. Investing in your child's emotional and spiritual growth today can help prepare them for a healthier, more confident transition into the next school year and beyond.
Remember, Alena ends with one simple and doable step to give parents of adolescents the ability to allow their child(ren) to grow in knowing that they are capable and confident, is to take a deep breath! We can all start today- model truly valuing the deep breath and loving our own health. We will make it through summer and can use this time to show the importance of utilizing coping skills for our daily stress and worries!
Next Steps:
If you or a family member would like to discuss this topic further, have questions, or would like to start counseling this summer, please reach out to us at AP Counseling group here in Katy, Texas!
At AP Counseling Group, we offer a variety of services to support individuals and families. Our child counseling and play therapy provides a safe space for kids to process emotions and build healthy coping skills. We also offer teen counseling to help adolescents navigate challenges and strengthen their relationships, and adult counseling tailored to help adults manage life pressures. Whatever stage you're in, we’re here to support you with guidance rooted in faith and practical tools.