Podcasts about adolescent counseling

Last episode, I explained the first four mind-body methods to end anxiety, GI and autoimmune condition by focusing on the science. Today, I introduce the next four keys, based on my Safety-Based Protocol, that deal with the psychology. I explain how gaslighting, silent treatment and attachments styles can lead to disease, and how to heal from them. By the way, my new book is now published and available on Amazon, which listed it as the No. 1 New Release in Adolescent Counseling! Sending gratefulness to you. Hope you enjoy this episode!

In this episode, I sit down with counselor and author Sissy Golf, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville. We talk about the astonishing rise in anxiety in children in the past five years and the impact on both parents and children. She also talked about the importance of faith in coping with anxiety. Her new book, "The Worry-Free Parent," offers practical strategies for parents to overcome their own anxieties and help their children. Don't miss our insightful conversation as we tackle the pressing issues facing families today.- To watch it on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/uj_C8ymaIcY- To purchase the book: https://amzn.to/4btRand- Enter for a chance to win a copy here: https://kingsumo.com/g/mnr7tw/the-worry-free-parent-book-giveaway#Godsizedstories #faithjourney #christianpodcast #christianstories #christianinspiration #anxiety #SissyGoff #TheWorryFreeParent #parenting #anxiety #anxietyrelief #parentingtips Support the showClick on the link above to support us and help keep this show going!Click on the links to connect with Patricia on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube

Dr. Stephanie Sarkis is a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in ADHD, anxiety, & narcissistic abuse. She is a bestselling author and an American Mental Health Counselors Association Diplomate and Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling – one of only 20 in the U.S. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Circuit Civil Mediator. Dr. Sarkis is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She is a senior contributor to Forbes, and is also a contributor to Psychology Today. Dr. Sarkis has a PhD, EdS, and MEd in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida. She maintains a private practice in Tampa, Florida, where she provides telehealth sessions and facilitates collaborative divorce. Dr. Sarkis received an Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Psychological Association for her research on comorbid ADHD and the executive functions of the brain in a pediatric population. In this episode, Dr. Sarkis and I discuss what can make up toxic relationships, including topics like emotional abuse, gaslighting, and trauma bonding. We take a look at additional topics including the cycle of idealization, devaluing, and discard; love bombing, recognizing red flags, insecure attachment styles, the sunk cost fallacy, and challenges in leaving toxic relationships. We also addresses what it can look like to move on, seeking support through counseling, self-care, volunteering, therapy for family of origin issues, codependency, cultural differences, caretaking for abusive parents, and the importance of processing emotions, concluding with a message of hope for those who have experienced toxic relationships. Takeaways The cycle of idealization, devaluing, and discard is common in toxic relationships. Love bombing and grand gestures can be signs of manipulation and control. Individuals with insecure attachment styles may be more vulnerable to toxic relationships. Leaving toxic relationships can be challenging due to the sunk cost fallacy. Seek support services, such as counseling, after ending a toxic relationship. Practice self-care and prioritize your health and well-being. Consider volunteering as a means of healing and reconnecting with the community. Therapy can be instrumental in healing and addressing family of origin issues. Understand the concept of codependency and its cultural implications. Allow yourself to feel and process emotions as part of the healing process. Remember that there is hope for healing and building healthy relationships. Chapters 02:58 Dr. Sarkis' Background and Specialization in Toxic Relationships 04:13 Emotional Abuse and Trauma Bonding 05:21 Cycle of Idealization, Devaluing, and Discard 06:27 Love Bombing and Grand Gestures 07:14 Gaslighting and Manipulation 08:06 Financial and Economic Abuse 09:14 Trauma Bonding and Dopamine Boosts 10:07 Honeymoon Phase and Love Bombing 11:01 Discard Phase and Hoovering 12:16 Lack of Personal Accountability 13:48 No Contact or Low Contact 14:47 Differentiating Love Bombing from Romantic Gestures 15:12 Red Flags in Relationships 22:52 Treating Wait Staff and Family 23:43 Splitting and Comparisons 25:05 Intermittent Reinforcement and Healthy Relationships 27:02 Isolation and Threats 31:17 Insecure Attachment Styles and Leaving Toxic Relationships 32:06 Sunk Cost Fallacy 32:11 Moving on from a Toxic Relationship 33:37 Practical Steps After Ending a Toxic Relationship 36:37 Volunteering as a Means of Healing 37:43 The Role of Therapy in Healing 38:21 Taking a Break from Dating 40:24 The Importance of Self-Care and Sleep 41:16 Reconnecting with Healthy Relationships 42:33 Understanding Codependency 44:12 Considering the Perpetrator's Behavior 46:00 The Influence of Culture on Codependency 50:20 The Dilemma of Caretaking for Abusive Parents 52:06 The Importance of Feeling and Processing Emotions 53:30 Words of Wisdom: There is Hope

Last March 27th, a tragedy of unimaginable proportions unfolded in Nashville, Tennessee, as a transgender gunman opened fire at The Covenant Christian School, killing three adults and three children. While news outlets brought the calamity to the world, counselors at Daystar Counseling Ministries, some three miles away, mobilized immediately, grabbing therapy pets and other tools to the reunification centers. Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling, was one of them. She spent the rest of the week helping parents and children navigate and go on with their lives in the aftermath of such evil. Goff understands that rare tragedies like what happened at Covenant are piled onto the already burdensome stresses of everyday life. And being a Christian-based counseling center, she offers the only hope, which is that found in Scripture. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Goff talks about what happened that day of the Nashville shooting, as well the rise in depression and stress in children's lives today. Divorce, death, bullying and more are all part and parcel of the reason for the 27% rise in anxiety among 3- to 17-year-olds. Hear some solutions as Goff explains how to become a worry-free parent. Highlights: 0:01:23 - Counseling After School Shooting and Anxiety 0:06:11 - Guidance for Grieving Parents 0:14:53 - Understanding Childhood Anxiety and Resilience Development 0:17:46 - Parental Anger and Anxiety 0:25:49 - The Impact of Divorce on Children 0:37:46 - Impact of TikTok on Mental Health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott discusses Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the importance of the school counselors' role in meeting the needs of all students. She highlights the benefits of universal mental health screenings in educational settings and how buy-in and support is critical to successful implementation. This interview was recorded during the MCEC Global Training Summit.    This podcast is made possible by generous funding from BAE Systems, Inc. To learn more, visit https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/home.    Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.    Show Notes:  Resources:  School Counselors for MTSS:  https://www.schoolcounselors4mtss.com/    Anti-Racism Counseling in Schools and Communities by Cheryl Holcomb McCoy  https://imis.counseling.org/store/detail.aspx?id=78181    Supporting All Students: Multitiered Systems of Support from an Antiracist and Critical Race Theory Lens  https://www.schoolcounselors4mtss.com/_files/ugd/7ddd06_87e7df0c2f1649649b039fb7277fa320.pdf    Bio:  Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott is an Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director, and School Counseling Coordinator at Old Dominion University, in VA, where she teaches the next generation of school counselors. Before that, she spent several years working as an elementary school counselor, a special education teacher, and in multiple mental health settings counseling youth.     Dr. Goodman-Scott is passionate about researching, writing, and presenting on school counseling topics, including MTSS. She's presented across the U.S., offering trainings, keynotes, pre-conferences, and district-partnerships. She is the lead editor of the book, A School Counselor's Guide to MTSS (2019, Routledge), and with colleagues authored Making MTSS Work, published by ASCA (2020).     After nearly 10 years as a board member for the Virginia School Counselor Association, Dr. Goodman-Scott served as Chair of the VSCA Board (2019-2020) and is presently the co-chair of the Research Committee. She co-coordinates a national network of school counseling faculty, was president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (2020-2021), and represented Virginia at several White House School Counseling Convenings under First Lady Michelle Obama.   She recently was elected to the American Counseling Association governing council (2022-2025). She is on the editorial review board for multiple journals related to school counseling, including ASCA's Professional School Counseling journal. Finally, she is proud to be a recipient of the 2020 American Counseling Association Research Award, and the 2018 Insiders Business: “Top 40 Under 40” recognition.     She lives in Virginia with her spouse and three spunky young children. On the weekends you can find her at a nearby park, leading Girl Scouts, or making brunch with her family.   You can follow her on Twitter: e_goodmanscott.  

Lisa Dion has with her an extraordinary guest, Dr. Dee Ray to talk about an incredibly important topic for us as play therapists, Multiculturalism in Play Therapy (...  if you don't already have Dee's book, Multicultural Play Therapy, we hope you'll go buy it by the end of this podcast. It's a must-have for every therapist that works with kids!)  Dee Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S is Regents Professor and Elaine Millikan Mathes Professor in Early Childhood Education in the Counseling Program and Co-Director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. She has published over 150 articles, chapters, and books in the field of play therapy. Dr. Ray is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, as well as current board chair of the Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Ray also co-created and oversees the international certification program for Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, as well as currently operates the counseling practice, EmpathyWell, in Highland Village, TX where she facilitates play therapy, training, and supervision. In this episode, you'll learn:  What multicultural play therapy is and what it means to be  culturally-inclusive play therapist; What cultural humility is and how it is the cornerstone for cultural opportunity; Some of the barriers and fears that prevent us from connecting fully with ourselves and our child clients; What to do when a rupture occurs in our relationship with our client (...guaranteed to happen) and how to bring in cultural humility and cultural comfort to create cultural opportunity; How to develop a more multicultural orientation when working in the context of the family system or working with parents/caregivers; and What research says about a multicultural playroom and how to extend multiculturalism to your play therapy room. Enjoy this incredibly important discussion that we hope you'll then share with whomever you feel like could also benefit from learning more about multiculturalism in play therapy. Let's all bring multiculturalism more into our playrooms!  Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

This week Bruce and Wayne have special guest Dr. Kay Trotter, she is a life coach and has been in private practice for 17 years. She has an individual/group practice where she focuses on children/adolescent counseling and coaching. Her practice covers service for children as young as two and adults as old as 82. The diverse spectrum has allowed them to help more people and expand their brand. Dr. Trotter specializes in brain development and wants to help educate parents about how the brain develops so they can better understand their child. This is to help provide an environment with healthy expectations and actions. A major component of her treatment is spending time in nature. Dr. Trotter goes more in-depth about the importance and effectiveness of spending time in nature. Later in the program Bruce and Dr. Trotter discuss the difference between coaching and counseling. They also expound on the advantages of coaching as it pertains to having a personal relationship with the clients. Dr. Trotter explains her business side of the business and how she works with multiple coaches/counselors. An emphasis towards the end is to use the wealth we have to help and serve others. It's a lighthearted yet informative listen. Dr. Trotter can be found on https://kaleidoscopebehavioralhealth.com/ Scorpion Charters can be found on TikTok. She can also be found on Facebook and LinkedIn Bruce through his cell (214) 431-2032 and https://conciergecoach.net/ Wayne through email at wayne_515@yahoo.com

Parenting is hard. Parenting through a pandemic is even harder, but David Thomas and Sissy Goff are here to provide help and support. Sissy and David work at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling and David is the Director of Family Counseling. When they aren't counseling and ministering to kids and parents alike, they find time to write, travel and speak, and produce their own podcast, Raising Boys and Girls.In this episode, David and Sissy offer encouragement, resources, and hope to parents dealing with all the challenges and joys of raising boys and girls, including how to write your family's own mission statement and books and authors who have guided them in their counseling ministries.Resources:Raising Boys and GirlsInstagramFacebookPodcastBooks by David Thomas and Sissy Goff are available for purchase at https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/store.Resources mentioned in the episode:How Children Raise Parents by Dan AllenderThe Whole-Brain Child by Tina Payne Bryson & Dan SiegelBest Friends, Worst Enemies by Michael ThompsonRaising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Lives of Boys by Dan Klindon & Michael Thompson Birds & Bees

Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant are joined by Sissy Goff to have a conversation about how we can disciple our kids when they face worry or anxiety.Questions Covered in This Episode:Could you tell us a little about your family and your ministry?Is there a reason that this generation of kids and adults is dealing with so much pervasive anxiety?Could you give us a basic definition of worry or anxiety?What kinds of things are kids afraid of that are making them anxious?How do we help a kid to develop a sense of perspective that is more accurate and how is that going to help?How does what we as Christians believe about worry and anxiety play into how we parent an anxious child?Why do you think that is so hard for people to be free enough to laugh at their own mistakes?How are kids coping with stress and are there healthy ways to help them cope?What is the balance between letting my kid face some failures and providing a hurt-free environment when possible?How do we, as parents, navigate that the bottom line of worry is that our anxious kids care so much?How does a parent identify profound anxiety in a child or in themselves? Like, when would we know if it's the right time to go seek help for our child?For the parent who right now is overwhelmed, maybe they are anxious about their kids own anxiety, what encouragement or compassion do you have to offer them today?Are there any scriptures that have been especially precious to you as you've counseled people through anxiety?What are some ways that we can be praying for you?Guest Bio:Sissy Goff is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of twelve books, including the bestselling Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls) and her new release for teenage girls, Brave. Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications as well as her own podcast called Raising Boys and Girls.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:John 16:33, 1 John 3:18-20“Raising Worry-Free Girls” by Sissy Goff“The Worry Free Parent” by Sissy GoffAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Training the Church.Follow Us:Instagram | Facebook | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | Confronting Christianity | Starting PlaceThe Family Discipleship Podcast is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon.

Sissy Goff is a superhero to the mental health world, and she is a superhero to me. If you or anyone you love is dealing with anxiety, particularly kids and teens, please stop what you're doing and get a pen and paper because this one is a note-taker. And please know as you wrestle with the fall-out from anxiety, you are not alone, your kids are not alone, and there is so much hope. I am so grateful to have had the chance to learn from therapist, speaker, author, and just a wonderful human being, Sissy Goff. Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of twelve books, including the bestselling Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls) and her new release for teenage girls, Brave. Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications as well as her own podcast called Raising Boys and Girls.You can find more information and resources at raisingboysandgirls.com. Find her on Instagram and Facebook. Visit KimberlyStuart.com/podcast for more from this episode.

Sit down with the Luskos for a conversation with Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries, for a conversation on stages of kids' development, the power of childhood counseling, and how focusing on your marriage is doing a future favor for your kids. Connect with us on social! Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife Sissy: @sissygoff Daystar: @daystarcounselingministries Links: Raising Boys and Girls Podcast Raising Worry Free Girls Book Wild Things Book Are My Kids on Track Book Raising Emotionally Strong Boys Book

Sit down with the Luskos for a conversation with Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries, for a conversation on stages of kids' development, the power of childhood counseling, and how focusing on your marriage is doing a future favor for your kids. Connect with us on social! Levi: @levilusko Jennie: @jennielusko Fresh Life Church: @freshlife Sissy: @sissygoff Daystar: @daystarcounselingministries Links: Raising Boys and Girls Podcast Raising Worry Free Girls Book Wild Things Book Are My Kids on Track Book Raising Emotionally Strong Boys Book

My next two guests are mastering collaboration over competition. Together, they have written several books, including Are My Kids On Track, Raising Emotionally Strong Boys, and Intentional Parenting, to name a few. They are also the hosts of the Raising Boys & Girls podcast. Sissy Goff is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries and has been counseling girls for more than twenty years. David has been at Daystar for 25 years, now serving as the Director of Family Counseling. Have you enjoyed our Collaboration Over Competition series so far? If so, it only gets better! On the episode today, David and Sissy talk about the fear of someone liking the other person's books more than they like yours, and how we can benefit from each other's strengths. We also have a discussion on what Sissy and David say are the greatest struggles parents today face, and whether or not parents are responding adequately to kids who might be dealing with depression. David mentioned that he has only authored one book by himself, and he believes collaborating with others makes him a better writer. He says it is so much better when we work together and surround ourselves with people who outpace us. We talked about anxiety and the stress kids experience today as they apply to get into college, and that is something I've only recently come to learn in starting to launch my own children. When I was applying to get into college, it was not competitive – now, kids are up against so many other applicants just to get into their college of choice, and it is causing anxiety to rise dramatically. Sissy says, “Reminding them of their Connect with JamieFacebook //  Instagram // YouTubeGET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

Shownotes:Parenting is hard. Parenting through a pandemic is even harder, but David Thomas and Sissy Goff are here to provide help and support. Sissy and David work at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling and David is the Director of Family Counseling. When they aren't counseling and ministering to kids and parents alike, they find time to write, travel and speak, and produce their own podcast, Raising Boys and Girls.In this episode, David and Sissy offer encouragement, resources, and hope to parents dealing with all the challenges and joys of raising boys and girls, including how to write your family's own mission statement and books and authors who have guided them in their counseling ministries.If you are in or near Oxford and would like to hear Sissy and David speak, register for the Parent Conference, November 4-5, at Oxford University United Methodist Church. The conference is $35.Resources:Raising Boys and GirlsInstagramFacebookPodcastBooks by David Thomas and Sissy Goff are available for purchase at https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/store.Resources mentioned in the episode:How Children Raise Parents by Dan AllenderThe Whole-Brain Child by Tina Payne Bryson & Dan SiegelBest Friends, Worst Enemies by Michael ThompsonRaising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Lives of Boys by Dan Klindon & Michael ThompsonBirds & Bees

1 in every 3 kids struggles with anxiety today – that's a sobering statistic to wrap your mind around. Thankfully, we have counselors like Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, who desire to help counsel and write books to help us navigate these challenging dynamics of parenting. Raising Boys & Girls Blog Raising Boys and Girls Podcast

I hope everyone had an amazing 4th of July! We spent the last week in Boston on vacation and it was amazing, exhausting, and everything you can imagine from spending a week with your kids in small spaces. That makes today's podcast especially timely (for me at least).     Today we have the privilege of hearing from Sissy Goff, a fan favorite when it comes to understanding our kids. Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling in Nashville, Tennessee, and a dear friend to our show.   Sissy is unpacking some important topics to consider during the summer months, and a few issues that are probably cropping up in your home as well as mine.    Here's a few of the things we discuss: Why our kids trigger us and how to manage it What our kids need from us this summer How to instill confidence in our kids Ways to help our kids with friendships Teaching responsibility  Ideas on entitlement and discipline   I'm so grateful you're with us this week. You're going to love what Sissy has to offer.   P.S. I'm so excited that our 2022-2023 prayer journal is out! Grab your copy now so you're ready to hit the new school year running when it comes to praying for our kids. We will be praying the Psalms over our kids and it's going to be amazing!    Resources from today's show:  More from Sissy Goff: Instagram  Raising Boys and Girls Raising Boys and Girls Podcast  A Parent's Prayer Guide: Key Psalms to Pray Over Your Kids

Brenau University expands its school of psychology and adolescent counseling; Local nonprofits work to combat homeless in metro Atlanta amid pandemicBrenau University President Anne Skleder discusses the state of mental health access and care in Georgia and how her university is working to close the gap through several new initiatives.Plus, Raphael Holloway, the CEO of Gateway Center, and Barry Dupree, a formerly homeless client of the Gateway Center, who is now living independently, Mellony Gaston, the social services director at the Atlanta Children's Shelter discuss the recent drop in Atlanta's homeless population and the ongoing efforts to find permanent housing for those in need. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation I got to speak with one of my parenting heroes and an expert on girl's development needs, Sissy Goff. Out of the 29 years experience she has invested in working with girls, she shares some incredible wisdom and encouragement. How important a role do fathers play in the lives of their daughters? What do daughters need most from us? What questions do daughters carry with them wherever they go, and what gifts does God give uniquely to fathers who have the courage to press in and love well? What common mistakes do fathers make when fathering their daughters into and then through their teenage years? And given that most girls suffer silently under the crushing weight of anxiety, how can we recognize this anxiety and offer our strength in a helpful way? We also addressed the 4 developmental stages girls must go through to become women. • Stage 1 – Discovery Years, birth - 5 • Stage 2 - Adventurous, 6-10 • Stage 3 – Narcissistic Years, 11-14 • Stage 4 – Autonomous Years, 15-19 We talk about these things and much more. Listen, enjoy and be encouraged that you are God-picked to be your daughter's father for a reason and with God's assistance you have everything you need to succeed. :) ABOUT Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, spends most of her days talking with girls and their families, with the help of her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. She has worked as the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee since 1993, with a Master's degree from Vanderbilt University. Sissy speaks to parents and children's ministers across the country, and is the author of twelve books, including the bestselling “Raising Worry-Free Girls”, “Braver, Stronger Smarter” (for elementary school girls) and her newest book for teenage girls, “Brave”. See her full collection at the link below). Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications, including their own podcast called “Raising Boys and Girls”. See Sissy's Amazon Bibliography: https://www.amazon.com/Sissy-Goff/e/B... Daystar Counseling Ministries: https://www.daystarcounseling.com/ Raising Boys and Girls website: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/ Raising Boys and Girls podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

In this bonus episode, Kate Grounds and Kelly Hill interview Sissy Goff, the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville and the author of over 12 books. They have an in-depth discussion about what it practically looks like to come alongside pre-teen and teen girls as they live out their calling in an increasingly complex culture. If you have a pre-teen or teenage girl in your life, then this episode is for you!

Sissy Goff joins us today! Her wisdom and advice is unmatched. She is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee and 12 time author on raising boys and girls. In this episode we discuss practical ways to walk our kids through fears and anxiety. Sissy gives us tips for stressful bed times, bossiness in our kids, appropriate age behavior, how to combat today's technology while raising our littles, and more. We ask ALL the questions like, “When do you advise parents to give kids phones?” “When to talk to our kids about sex?” "How do you deal with an overly anxious child?" and more…ENJOY! Connect with Sissy: www.instagram.com/sissygoff https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/ https://www.daystarcounseling.com/ Mentioned in the Episode Books: "God's design for sex series" https://www.amazon.com/Full-Set-Design-Revised-Paperback/dp/B00O5DIVTU Kid safe phone: https://www.pinwheel.com/. https://gabbwireless.com/ Connect with us on Instagram @talk2mesister_podcast or email us at talk2mesister@gmail.com. Check out our Amazon Store! www.amazon.com/shop/talk2mesister_podcast Talk to me Sister Sponsors: Seeking Health Vitamins/Supplements Affiliate Link: https://bit.ly/3crc0aF. Use Code TALK2MESISTER or SISTERS2 for 10% off your first order. Your Super Foods. www.yoursuper.com. Use code Sister15 for 15% off every order. Gut Garden, 15% off your order with code BABYANDME

This week we speak with Jana Brooks, Manager Event and Tenant Services, Maryland Stadium Authority.  We talk through her journey from facility management at a law firm, to S.A.F.E, to dealing with both the Ravens and the Orioles at the Camden Yards Stadium Complex.  Jana has some fun stories about managing events, challenges, in the job, and why she loves it.  Jana also talks about one of the most rewarding things she has done, in managing the Mass Vaccination Site at M&T Bank Stadium this year.Presented byAdventist HealthCareAdventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgRoll by Goodyearwww.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/mobile-installMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comInstacartinstacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gThis post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

As we talk about raising mentally healthy kids, I can't think of a more relevant topic right now for all of us than anxiety. Worry and anxiety seemed to have peaked in our country as COVID-19 hit, but it certainly has not disappeared. And while we as adults tend to focus on the big life things, kids are still dealing with the natural anxieties of adolescence. In this episode I'm talking with the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries Sissy Goff, M. Ed., LPC-MHSP about some practical things we can do to help our kids socially, emotionally, spiritually, and functionally develop well. Key points from our conversation:

In this week's Ask Richard, I'll be talking about how to help children with anxiety in the moment. I discuss 2 simple techniques to help them calm their state. These techniques are from Sissy Goff who is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee.Each month, I'll be answering your questions regarding any of my topics on personal mastery! I'll directly address your utmost concerns and questions. RESOURCES MENTIONED✨ Sissy Goff (Raising Boys and Girls): https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/ ✨ Guided Breathwork Technique | Beginner Introduction and Breath Practice to Feel Calmer: https://youtu.be/wr7-0XAJhW8

With all the messages from the media thrown at girls these days, it's no wonder that worry and anxiety in adolescent girls is on the rise. When you combine social media running the next teen's “highlight reel” with pressure to achieve more in school due to standardized testing or parental pressure, it's a recipe for increased feelings of being overwhelmed and thoughts of suicide. All these things (and more) have put pressure on teens, especially young girls, that previous generations never had to deal with. So, as a parent, what can you do to help your daughter deal with all these things in a healthy way? Listen to this episode, and you'll be in a much better place to deal with those things! Dr. Meeker sits down for a great conversation with Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, TN. She's also a sought after speaker and author of 12 books including Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter. Their conversation could have stretched on for hours because there's so much to cover when dealing with these issues. Give this episode a listen, and get ready to help your daughters cope with pressures from every angle! Also, do you have a question for Dr. Meeker? If so, email them to askmeg@megmeekermd.com and listen to future episodes to see if your question is answered in an “Ask Dr. Meg” feature episode!   WELCOME Dr. Meeker opens today's episode by introducing her guest, Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, TN, speaker and bestselling author. She also teases her points to ponder that you can start using right away. Also, don't forget to check out Dr. Meeker's free webinar, When No Stops Working that you can find at meekerparenting.com!   A CONVERSATION WITH SISSY GOFF (PART 1) Dr. Meeker talks with Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, TN, speaker and bestselling author. They have a great conversation about how parents can help their daughters deal with worry and anxiety in a healthy way.   BREAK   A CONVERSATION WITH SISSY GOFF (PART 2) Dr. Meeker talks with Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, TN, speaker and bestselling author. They have a great conversation about how parents can help their daughters deal with worry and anxiety in a healthy way.     POINTS TO PONDER Dr. Meg gives you three points to ponder to help you on your way to supporting daughters dealing with worry and anxiety!   PARENT PEP RALLY   FROM THE PRODUCER Thanks for listening to Episode 138, Raising Worry-Free Girls, and for helping Dr. Meg's parenting revolution reach over SIX MILLION downloads! Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes!   Get Social with Dr. Meg on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @MegMeekerMD   Have a parenting question? Write Dr. Meg at askmeg@megmeekermd.com and she could answer your question during the show or you can let us know what you'd like to hear about in a future episode!   Dr. Meg's parenting resources and tools are available at MeekerParenting.com/resources. Subscribe, rate, and leave a review for us on iTunes! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kim and Matt sit down with Jason Clement the CEO and Founding Partner of The Sports Facilities Companies.  We discuss what goes into developing new sports facilities, why communities are looking to add sports venues, and why youth sports are so important to a healthy community.  Jason talks about the holistic benefits to children from sports in terms of physical, mental, and spiritual well being.  We also discuss the economics of sports venues and youth sports itself.  Jason discusses the growing crisis of reduced access to sports programs and how The Sports Facilities Companies are working to address it.   Learn more about The Sports Facilities Companies at https://sportadvisory.com/Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgMid-Atlantic CrossFit Challengehttp://www.midatlanticcrossfitchallenge.comMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

Kim and Matt sit down with Wilson Pak, the Director of the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge.  Wilson explains the concept of CrossFit and what competitive CrossFit looks like.  We explore the challenges presented by COVID to the industry.  Wilson also talk about the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge which is moving to Knoxville Tennessee this year as well as the NOBULL CrossFit Games in Madison Wisconsin.  Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgMid-Atlantic CrossFit Challengehttp://www.midatlanticcrossfitchallenge.comMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

Matt and Kim speak with Skye Eddy, mom, coach, and former player, who founded the Soccer Parenting Association.  Skye provides resources for coaches and parents to help provide a better playing environment to youth soccer players.  She speaks about problems we see on the sidelines from parents, coaches, and players.  Skye talks about how to identify issues and how to address them to make soccer fun again for your kids.www.SoccerParentResourceCenter.comwww.SoccerParenting.comPresented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgInstacartGet groceries delivered from your favorite stores with Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

This week Kim and Matt broaden our horizons and learn about the Gaelic Athletic Association.  Brittany Walsh the Mid-Atlantic Division GAA Chairperson joins us to teach us about Gaelic Football, Hurling, and Camogie.  If you have every had a chance to watch any of these games played they are fast paced and high scoring affairs.  They are simply exciting to watch.  Brittany taches us about the games themselves, the history of GAA in America, as well as talks about new programming including youth teams and collegiate teams.    Check out Wicked Shamrock Photography to see what  GAA looks like as well as this video from Jerome Quinn Media to see what the National Finals looked like in 2018.Mid-Atlantic Division GAA https://www.midatlanticgaa.com/ Presented by Adventist HealthCare Adventist HealthCare is the largest & only health system headquartered in Montgomery Co., MD  www.adventisthealthcare.comSAM SoccerRecreational Soccer League in Montgomery County Marylandwww.samsoccer.orgInstacartGet groceries delivered from your favorite stores with Instacart instacart.oloiyb.net/eDk4gMBS Performance CounselingMental Athletic Performance and Adolescent Counseling"Discover How To Perform With Purpose"www.mbsperformancecounseling.comPitchside from the Plex listeners can get 40% of the Perform with Purpose online course from MBS Performance Counseling by using Discount Code "soccerplex"https://mbsperformancecounseling.com/perform-with-purpose-online-course/This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

The Dr. John Delony Show is a caller-driven show that offers real people a chance to be heard as they struggle with relationship issues and mental health challenges. John will give you practical advice on how to connect with people, how to take the next right step when you feel frozen, and how to cut through the depression and anxiety that can feel so overwhelming. You are not alone in this battle. You are worth being well—and it starts by focusing on what you can control. Let us know what’s going on by leaving a voicemail at 844.693.3291 or visiting johndelony.com/show. We want to talk to YOU! Show Notes for this Episode Sissy Goff M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of twelve books, including the bestselling Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls) and her new release for teenage girls, Brave. Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications as well as her own podcast called Raising Boys and Girls. You can find more information and resources at raisingboysandgirls.com. Raising Boys & Girls Daystar Counseling Ministries Check out Sissy's books tags: kids, parenting, anxiety, counseling/therapy These platforms contain content, including information provided by guests, that is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to replace or substitute for any professional medical, counseling, therapeutic, financial, legal, or other advice. The Lampo Group, LLC d/b/a Ramsey Solutions as well as its affiliates and subsidiaries (including their respective employees, agents and representatives) make no representations or warranties concerning the content and expressly disclaim any and all liability concerning the content including any treatment or action taken by any person following the information offered or provided within or through this show. If you have specific concerns or a situation in which you require professional advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified professional expert and specialist. If you are having a health or mental health emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately.

Doug catches up with Sissy Goff, Director of Child & Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling in Nashville and a licensed counselor with more than 25 years of experience, to learn more about her latest book - "Brave A Teen Girl's guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety". www.RaisingBoysandGirls.com 1. (:37) Sissy talked about the first two books prior to "Brave" 2. (1:39) Being a teen today is harder than any previous generation 3. (2:00) Discussing the impact of social media and the pressure to excel 4. (3:05) Difference between anxiety's effect on boys vs girls 5. (4:22) Symptoms parents should look out for 6. (4:49) What is a teen's "worry temperature"? 7. (5:50) Dad's role in the life of a teen daughter 8. (7:53) Can anxiety be cured? 9. (9:21) Helping teen girls move towards independence 10. (10:32) Written for teen girls, this book also helpful to parents 11. (11:13) The FeelingsChart 12. (11:35) All of Sissy's tools used in the first month of counseling are included in this book.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of twelve books, including the bestselling Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls) and her new release for teenage girls, Brave. Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications as well as her own podcast called Raising Boys and Girls. You can find more information and resources at raisingboysandgirls.com and follow Sissy on Instagram at @sissygoff.

In this episode, Maggie gets on the phone with author and counselor, Sissy Goff. Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families.To access the last episode with Sissy, Find It HereHer new book, Brave: A Teen Girl's Guide to Beating Worry and AnxietyAs a parent, you can use certain strategies to help your teenage daughter when she struggles with worry and anxiety. But it is also important that she learns how to work through her emotions on her own, especially as she approaches adulthood.This guide--created for girls ages 13 to 18--will help your daughter understand anxiety's roots and why her brain is often working against her when she starts to worry. With teen-friendly information, stories, and self-discovery exercises, including journaling and drawing prompts, she will learn practical ways to fight back when worries come up. She will find more of her voice and her confidence. In essence, she will find more of herself and the brave, strong, deeply loved girl God made her to be.For questions or comments please email podcast@empoweredhomes.org

 In this episode, Gabe and Rebekah talk to best-selling author and counselor, Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, about how teens are having to overcome anxiety in a virtual world. Sissy spends most of her days talking with girls and their families, with the help of her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Sissy has been the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee since 1993, with a Master's degree from Vanderbilt University. Sissy speaks to parents and children's ministers across the country, and is the author of twelve books, including the bestselling Raising Worry-Free Girls, Braver, Stronger Smarter (for elementary school girls) and her newest book for teenage girls, Brave.  You can find more information and resources at raisingboysandgirls.com. LINKSCheck out Sissy’s newest book, Brave.Register for the Marriage & Parenting Renewal Retreat happening May 6-7.Ready to begin living in rhythm? Grab bestseller, Rhythms of Renewal, today!Join the Rhythms for Life Community here.Thank you to this week's sponsor! Samaritan Ministries is a community of Christians who live out Galatians 6:2 by bearing one another’s burdens when a medical need arises. It’s a Biblical solution to health care, connecting members across the nation who share medical costs while praying for and encouraging one another. Learn more today.

Singer, actor, and philanthropist, ALEX was born the middle child of eight, on September 9th in the quiet town of Manchester, Georgia. Fathered by James Harris, a pastor at the local church, and his mother Carolyn Harris who was a teacher, there were no inclinations of ALEX becoming musically inclined. So, young Harris had limited opportunities to indulge his hunger for rhythm.Their father was quick to notice the talent that his children had and swiftly brought them in to sing at his church. At the age of 7, he was the lead singer of the new family band; the A-Boys, later reinvented as A7, six kids with all their names starting with an A, and the seventh member being the presence of God. With the rise of their success, the brothers began touring the US during the summer when out of school. Although in a band, each brother made academics their top priority throughout high school, college, and even graduate school. After graduating high school, ALEX enrolled at LaGrange College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Psychology. He then went on to receive his Master's in Theology and Social Work from Boston University, did an extended graduate study in Adolescent Counseling at Harvard University, and he is currently working on his doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Alex is no stranger to the entertainment scene. He started his entertainment career at the tender age of 7 years old, traveling throughout the southeast region with his siblings. As his artistry developed from 7yrs old until now, his audience continues to expand with him as well.

Singer, actor, and philanthropist, ALEX was born the middle child of eight, on September 9th in the quiet town of Manchester, Georgia. Fathered by James Harris, a pastor at the local church, and his mother Carolyn Harris who was a teacher, there were no inclinations of ALEX becoming musically inclined. So, young Harris had limited opportunities to indulge his hunger for rhythm.Their father was quick to notice the talent that his children had and swiftly brought them in to sing at his church. At the age of 7, he was the lead singer of the new family band; the A-Boys, later reinvented as A7, six kids with all their names starting with an A, and the seventh member being the presence of God. With the rise of their success, the brothers began touring the US during the summer when out of school. Although in a band, each brother made academics their top priority throughout high school, college, and even graduate school. After graduating high school, ALEX enrolled at LaGrange College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Psychology. He then went on to receive his Master's in Theology and Social Work from Boston University, did an extended graduate study in Adolescent Counseling at Harvard University, and he is currently working on his doctorate in Organizational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Alex is no stranger to the entertainment scene. He started his entertainment career at the tender age of 7 years old, traveling throughout the southeast region with his siblings. As his artistry developed from 7yrs old until now, his audience continues to expand with him as well.

Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, provides some advice to parents when it comes to dealing with anxious teens. 

This week we have the privilege to share our recent conversation with Sissy Goff from Daystar Counseling Ministries. Sissy is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling where she has been helping girls and their parents since 1993. She is a nationally sought after speaker for parenting events and the author of eleven books, including the bestselling Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls). It would be great to talk to Sissy anytime, but we are particularly grateful to have this conversation at such a time as this. Many of us parents are navigating heightened levels of fear and anxiety with our children in the wake of COVID-19, and Sissy offers practical advice and encouragement for parents in this unique moment.    You can check out Sissy's work in the following places. DaystarCounseling.com RaisingBoysandGirls.com @SissyGoff and @RaisingBoysandGirls on Instagram 

As a parent, you are probably feeling a variety of emotions right now about the coronavirus pandemic — anxiety, fear, anger, burnout, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of chaos. We are in the midst of an event that many have not seen in our lifetimes. On top of that, your kids' school has just been canceled for two weeks. You may have been asked to work from home, or maybe you need to continue at your job while your kids are out of school. On top of that, you want to keep you and your kids healthy and safe. It's a lot to handle at once. Learn how to maintain some sense of normalcy and answer your kids questions about this pandemic. I'm an American Mental Health Counselors Association Clinical Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling with over 20 years experience counseling children and their parents during crisis. I'll tell you what I know helps. Dr. Stephanie Sarkis is the host of Talking Brains. www.stephaniesarkis.com

I am so happy to have therapist Sissy Goff on the Still Becoming podcast. We talk about the rise of anxiety in girls, as well as how to understand this important topic and what to do if you are encountering it. Sissy is warm, relatable, and very knowledgeable. I trust you will enjoy this interview as much as I did. Sissy Goff, MEd, LPC-MHSP, spends most of her days counseling girls and their families alongside her assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Sissy serves as the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling for Daystar Counseling Ministries (Nashville, TN) where she has worked with girls and their families for more than 25 years. Her latest books focus on the current epidemic of anxiety among young girls. Raising Worry-Free Girls: Helping Your Daughter Feel Braver, Stronger, and Smarter in an Anxious World (for parents) and Braver, Stronger, Smarter: A Girl’s Guide to Overcoming Worry and Anxiety (for girls ages 8-11). You can find Sissy at www.raisinggirlsandboys.com, Instagram: @SissyGoff; Facebook: Sissy.Goff.

In this week's episode, we had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with Sissy Goff. With over 27 years of professional experience walking alongside children and adolescents, she provides us with encouraging steps on how to raise young men and women in today's society that is constantly being overstimulated. Our children need to see and hear us living with the confidence that we are equipped to overcome the anxiety that lingers in our world today. Sissy walks us through how to empower our children and teenagers to be the brave and independent individuals that they were created to be.Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families.To purchase Sissy's book, Raising Worry Free Girls, click HERE.To learn more about Sissy, click HERE.To learn more about Daystar Counseling Ministries, click HERE.To purchase Rebekah's latest book, Rhythms of Renewal, click HERE. 

This week Sissy Goff, Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, joins hosts Mike, Gina, and Kellen to share tools for helping kids process anxiety.

SISSY GOFF, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP is the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee, where she works alongside her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese. Since 1993, she has been helping girls and their parents find confidence in who they are and hope in who God is making them to be, both as individuals and families. Sissy is a sought-after speaker for parenting events and the author of eleven books, including her newest, Raising Worry-Free Girls and Braver, Stronger, Smarter (for elementary aged girls). Sissy is a regular contributor to various podcasts and publications, including her own podcast called Raising Boys and Girls. You can find more information and resources at www.raisingboysandgirls.com.

Children need different things at different developmental stages due to their cognitive capabilities as well as their psychosocial needs.The key to attachment is creating an environment in which children feel safe, loved and accepted (unconditionally). Use the CARES approach. Consistency, Attention, Responsiveness, Empathy and Solutions.

Children need to feel like they are loved, they belong and they are capable at home, school and in relationships. Learn 25 ways to enhance this in today's podcast.

Last year I kept seeing posts on PsychologyToday.com about gaslighting. They were often among the most popular posts, and I kept wondering, What the heck is "gaslighting"? Finally I Googled it and found a succinct definition: "to manipulate (someone) by psychological means into questioning their own sanity." The most popular post is the first hit in a Google search for "gaslighting," and it was written by my guest for this week, Dr. Stephanie Sarkis:  I was really happy to have the chance to dive into this topic with Stephanie, since she's clearly an authority on the subject. I read her new book entitled Gaslighting, and explored questions including: Where does the concept of gaslighting come from? What's the value in having a label for this pattern of behavior? Are gaslighters aware of what they're doing? How can we distinguish gaslighting from ordinary manipulation? How common are gaslighters? Why is it so hard to get away from a gaslighter? How can we avoid attracting gaslighters, such as on the dating scene? How can we recognize gaslighting before getting drawn into it? How can we manage the gaslighters in our families? If you're having a hard time picturing what gaslighting looks like, Stephanie provided an example in this Star Trek episode in which the bad guy tries to manipulate Patrick Stewart's character into denying what he sees. You can also check out the movie that gave the concept its name: 1944 movie "Gaslight." Image by Fred the Oyster In this episode I brought up a classic psychology study on conformity but blanked on the name of the researcher who did it during my conversation with Stephanie; it was done by psychologist Solomon Asch in the 1950s. Groups of participants were asked to judge the length of various lines. What each participant didn't realize was that they were the only real participant, and the rest of the people in the room were "confederates," meaning they were working with the experimenters. The study was designed to test how much people would go along with the other people in the room when they were giving answers that were clearly wrong. For example, for this example image all the confederates would say that line "B" was the same length as the single line on the left, when obviously line "A" is the correct match. Just kidding, line "C" is the correct answer. A surprising percentage of participants went along with the group, even though it meant denying what was right in front of them. I referenced the study because of the obvious distress it causes when others make us question our own reality. You can read the original study here: A Minority of One. I also referenced a recent podcast called "Dr. Death." I thought it was well done, but I would caution that it's a bit horrifying at times (as the title suggests...). Here's a link for more information about "Dr. Death" from Wondery. Dr. Stephanie Sarkis completed her PhD, MEd, and EdS in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida. She is a bestselling author of seven books, including her latest, Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People—and Break Free. Dr. Sarkis is an American Mental Health Counselors Association Diplomate and one of only twenty Clinical Mental Health Specialists in Child and Adolescent Counseling in the US. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Circuit Civil Mediator, as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She maintains a private practice in Tampa, FL, where she specializes in gaslighting, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Gaslighting is available for purchase from Amazon. (Please note this is an affiliate link, meaning a percentage of sales that come through this link will be used to support the Think Act Be podcast, at no additional charge to you.) You can find Stephanie online at her website and on her blogs at Psychology...

In this episode I chat with Dr. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis about gaslighting. Dr.Sarkis defines gaslighting, explains its effects, describes why it is such a powerful tool for those looking to manipulate others, and discusses how you can protect yourself against it. Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, Ph.D., NCC, LMHC, DCMHS is a bestselling author and psychotherapist. She has been in private practice for 20 years. She is an American Mental Health Counseling Association Diplomate (one of 100 in the U.S.) and an AMHCA Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling (one of 20 in the U.S.).  Dr. Sarkis received her degrees and training from the University of Florida.  She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.  She also is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator and Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator.  She maintains a private practice in Tampa, Florida, where she specializes in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety. To preorder Dr. Sarkis's seventh book, Gaslighting: Recognize Manipulative and Emotionally Abusive People -and Break Free, click here. To read Dr. Sarkis's article, "11 Warning Signs of Gaslighting" click here. Click here for more information on Dr. Sarkis.

Kevin Petersen, LMFT joins us for another discussion with a focus on parents, children, and codependency. Kevin is a dedicated, caring, and understanding professional who works with families in crisis. Kevin was born and raised in Palo Alto, CA and earned a bachelors from USC in 1994, and enjoyed a prosperous career in Sales and Marketing before he decided to return to school in 2008. Kevin has earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and has a Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counseling both from Regis University. He started his career working as a therapist for Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health Network in Child and Family Services in 2011. Kevin opened his private practice, Petersen Family Counseling, in 2014 and specializes in working with families and individuals struggling with addictions, codependency, and parenting.www.petersenfamilycounseling.com

This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Stephanie Sarkis, PhD an author and psychologist specializing in sociopathy. About the show: Sociopaths are all around us – and they blend well with general society. In fact, even trained professionals have been manipulated by sociopaths – they are that good at hiding pathological behavior. Sociopaths thrive off of gaining control of others – and get pleasure from seeing others suffer. People can unknowingly connect with sociopaths through online dating. The online dating atmosphere is ripe for anonymity and creating a persona – something sociopaths use to get into your heart and home. In this segment, Dr. Stephanie Sarkis discusses how to indentify a sociopath – and what to do if you find yourself in a relationship with one. About the author: Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, Ph.D., NCC, DCMHS, LMHC, is a bestselling author and psychotherapist. She is an American Mental Health Counselors Association Diplomate and Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling – one of 20 in the U.S.. She is also a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Her Psychology Today and Huffington Post articles on gaslighting behaviors have received international praise for drawing attention to hidden abuse in relationships. www.stephaniesarkis.com

Our guests this week are two of our favorite people. We believe they will fast become two of your favorite people as well. Licensed counselors Sissy Goff and David Thomas serve at Daystar Counseling in Nashville. Along with Daystar's founder, Melissa Trevethan, they host a website of helpful resources for parents called Raising Boys and Girls. In this episode, Sissy, who serves as Director of Child & Adolescent Counseling, talks about the increasing anxiety in today's culture. Particularly, she shares stories of how anxiety is impacting girl's development. In addition, David, who serves as Director of Family Counseling, talks about boys and anger. David and Sissy, with their decades of counseling experience, provide very practical ways we can help our kids best channel their negative emotions. Based on their new book, Are My Kids on Track?, you'll learn about the emotional, social, and spiritual milestones of your kids. Personally, this is a book I devoured. Show Notes: For the book, Are My Kids on Track? click here.          

We met Kevin Petersen, LMFT at the Navigating the World of Addiction conference put on by Rob Lohman. He came in at the last minute to take over as one of the keynote speakers. Kevin Petersen, LMFT is a dedicated, caring, and understanding professional who works with families in crisis. Kevin was born and raised in Palo Alto, CA and earned a bachelors from USC in 1994, and enjoyed a prosperous career in Sales and Marketing before he decided to return to school in 2008. Kevin has earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and has a Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counseling both from Regis University. He started his career working as a therapist for Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health Network in Child and Family Services in 2011. Kevin opened his private practice, Petersen Family Counseling, in 2014 and specializes in working with families and individuals struggling with addictions, codependency, and parenting.www.petersenfamilycounseling.com

My radio show on Thursday March 9, 2017 This week on Relationships 2.0 my guest is Stephanie Sarkis, PhD. She explains Gaslighting, a manipulation technique used by abusers, sociopaths and narcissists. About the show: Gaslighting: Know it, Identify It and Protect Yourself Gaslighting is a tactic in which a person or entity, in order to gain more power, makes a victim question their reality. It works much better than you may think. Anyone is susceptible to gaslighting, and it is a common technique of abusers, dictators, narcissists, and cult leaders. It is done slowly, so the victim doesn’t realize how much they’ve been brainwashed. For example, in the movie Gaslight (1944), a man manipulates his wife to the point where she thinks she is losing her mind. People who gaslight typically use the following techniques: 1. They tell blatant lies. You know it’s an outright lie. Yet they are telling you this lie with a straight face. Why are they so blatant? Because they’re setting up a precedent. Once they tell you a huge lie, you’re not sure if anything they say is true. Keeping you unsteady and off-kilter is the goal. 2. They deny they ever said something, even though you have proof. You know they said they would do something; you know you heard it. But they out and out deny it. It makes you start questioning your reality—maybe they never said that thing. And the more they do this, the more you question your reality and start accepting theirs. 3. They use what is near and dear to you as ammunition. They know how important your kids are to you, and they know how important your identity is to you. So those may be one of the first things they attack. If you have kids, they tell you that you should not have had those children. They will tell you’d be a worthy person if only you didn’t have a long list of negative traits. They attack the foundation of your being. 4. They wear you down over time. This is one of the insidious things about gaslighting—it is done gradually, over time. A lie here, a lie there, a snide comment every so often…and then it starts ramping up. Even the brightest, most self-aware people can be sucked into gaslighting—it is that effective. It’s the “frog in the frying pan” analogy: The heat is turned up slowly, so the frog never realizes what’s happening to it. 5. Their actions do not match their words. When dealing with a person or entity that gaslights, look at what they are doing rather than what they are saying. What they are saying means nothing; it is just talk. What they are doing is the issue. 6. They throw in positive reinforcement to confuse you. This person or entity that is cutting you down, telling you that you don’t have value, is now praising you for something you did. This adds an additional sense of uneasiness. You think, “Well maybe they aren’t so bad.” Yes, they are. This is a calculated attempt to keep you off-kilter—and again, to question your reality. Also look at what you were praised for; it is probably something that served the gaslighter. 7. They know confusion weakens people. Gaslighters know that people like having a sense of stability and normalcy. Their goal is to uproot this and make you constantly question everything. And humans’ natural tendency is to look to the person or entity that will help you feel more stable—and that happens to be the gaslighter. 8. They project. They are a drug user or a cheater, yet they are constantly accusing you of that. This is done so often that you start trying to defend yourself, and are distracted from the gaslighter’s own behavior. 9. They try to align people against you. Gaslighters are masters at manipulating and finding the people they know will stand by them no matter what—and they use these people against you. They will make comments such as, “This person knows that you’re not right,” or “This person knows you’re useless too.” Keep in mind it does not mean that these people actually said these things. A gaslighter is a constant liar. When the gaslighter uses this tactic it makes you feel like you don’t know who to trust or turn to—and that leads you right back to the gaslighter. And that’s exactly what they want: Isolation gives them more control. 10. They tell you or others that you are crazy. This is one of the most effective tools of the gaslighter, because it’s dismissive. The gaslighter knows if they question your sanity, people will not believe you when you tell them the gaslighter is abusive or out-of-control. It’s a master technique. 11. They tell you everyone else is a liar. By telling you that everyone else (your family, the media) is a liar, it again makes you question your reality. You’ve never known someone with the audacity to do this, so they must be telling the truth, right? No. It’s a manipulation technique. It makes people turn to the gaslighter for the “correct” information—which isn’t correct information at all. The more you are aware of these techniques, the quicker you can identify them and avoid falling into the gaslighter’s trap. Original Post on Psychology Today: Gaslighting: Know It and Identify It to Protect Yourself About the author: Dr. Stephanie Sarkis is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and AMHCA Diplomate and Clinical Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling based in Tampa Bay, Florida, where she specializes in the treatment of ADD/ADHD. Dr. Sarkis conducts evaluations, testing, diagnosis, and counseling services. She also is a public speaker, consultant, coach, and is a facilitator in collaborative law.

As single parents we have to be careful to establish appropriate boundaries especially with our kids. A growing trend of kids with 'emotional entitlement' can be traced back to overcompensating parents, which is a common occurrence with single parents. Today, counselor Sissy Goff explores this often overlooked facet of a single parent's life as well as giving her perspective on questions like: 1.What are the most common fears or issues you hear from kids of divorced families that they may NOT be sharing with their parents? 2. Based on your new book, Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach, what are the most significant stumbling blocks Solo parents face with their kids and some practical ways to guide our kids through them? 3. From a KID'S perspective, what is one thing that a parent underestimates about the impact of their Solo season on a kid, and one thing they worry too much about? Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP has served as the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee for 24 years. She is the author of eight books including her newest book, Are My Kids on Track?, as well as Raising Girls. Sissy is also a sought-after speaker across the country and a regular guest and contributor to media shows and publications. Visit www.raisingboysandgirls.com

As single parents we have to be careful to establish appropriate boundaries especially with our kids. A growing trend of kids with 'emotional entitlement' can be traced back to overcompensating parents, which is a common occurrence with single parents. Today, counselor Sissy Goff explores this often overlooked facet of a single parent's life as well as giving her perspective on questions like: 1.What are the most common fears or issues you hear from kids of divorced families that they may NOT be sharing with their parents? 2. Based on your new book, Are My Kids on Track? The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach, what are the most significant stumbling blocks Solo parents face with their kids and some practical ways to guide our kids through them? 3. From a KID'S perspective, what is one thing that a parent underestimates about the impact of their Solo season on a kid, and one thing they worry too much about? Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP has served as the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee for 24 years. She is the author of eight books including her newest book, Are My Kids on Track?, as well as Raising Girls. Sissy is also a sought-after speaker across the country and a regular guest and contributor to media shows and publications. Visit www.raisingboysandgirls.com

If I'm being honest, a lot of the time raising a girl can seem like a blessing and a curse. That's why I am thankful for people like Sissy Goff.     Sissy has over twenty years of experience counseling kids and families. She has worked as the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee since 1993. She spends most of her days talking with girls and their families, with the help of her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese.  She's written seven books, 1 DVD curriculum, and is working currently on her newest book releasing in 2017.   Check out today's episode, "Bringing Up Belles", and listen as Sissy breaks down answers to questions like "How do you establish and maintain a rapport of trust and open communication with your daughter?" and  "What do you do when she inevitably starts to pull away?" This is one episode that you will not want to miss!

If I’m being honest, a lot of the time raising a girl can seem like a blessing and a curse. That’s why I am thankful for people like Sissy Goff.     Sissy has over twenty years of experience counseling kids and families. She has worked as the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee since 1993. She spends most of her days talking with girls and their families, with the help of her counseling assistant/pet therapist, Lucy the Havanese.  She’s written seven books, 1 DVD curriculum, and is working currently on her newest book releasing in 2017.   Check out today's episode, "Bringing Up Belles", and listen as Sissy breaks down answers to questions like “How do you establish and maintain a rapport of trust and open communication with your daughter?” and  “What do you do when she inevitably starts to pull away?” This is one episode that you will not want to miss!