Nashville, TN (August 10, 2026) – Expert therapists and New York Times bestselling authors Sissy Goff and David Thomas combat back to school anxiety on the national stage with practical insights from their New York Times bestselling book, Capable: How to Teach Your Kids Strength, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience (Baker Publishing). On Monday, August 10, the pair will be featured live on The TODAY Show (airs 9:40 am ET) to discuss an A+ Anxiety Plan for kids to know that they are capable as they return to school. NBC News Now will feature Sissy and David at 1:45 pm and 3:45 pm ET on Wednesday, August 12. During their time in New York City, they will also be featured on The Mighty Pursuit and Raising Good Humans with Dr. Aliza Pressman, to join the many, many other voices discussing Capable such as The Parenting Chat with Dylan Dreyer, That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs, Christianity Today, and more.
In these interviews, Sissy and David will speak on how to combat back to school anxiety, such as:
- What actually helps kids to not feel anxious starting school?
- What are the specific tools kids need when anxiety hits?
- What role do parents have in developing resilience and capability for their children?
- Is anxiety a sign that kids aren’t ready to start school?
Drawing from more than fifty years of combined counseling experience at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, Sissy and David provide parents with practical tools to cultivate capability in children—an internal confidence that empowers them to face adversity with resilience. Together they advocate that raising capable kids isn’t about shielding them from struggle but preparing them to meet it with courage. They teach parents how to help their children believe, deep down, “I can do this”—whether that means overcoming frustration and disappointment, managing conflict with peers, or standing firm in who they are and who God made them to be.
SISSY GOFF AND DAVID THOMAS
New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Sissy Goff, M.Ed., LPC-MHSP, and David Thomas, LMSW, have spent more than thirty years listening to kids, walking alongside families, and helping children discover their strength, courage, and capability. As the Executive Directors of Daystar Counseling in Nashville, Tennessee, they count it one of their greatest joys to help children, teens, and parents navigate the ups and downs of growing up—often alongside the beloved Daystar dogs.
Sissy and David are nationally recognized speakers and frequent guests on media outlets including the TODAY Show, NBC News, CNN, Good Morning America, Inside Edition, Christianity Today, The Washington Post, and USA Today. Together, they have written more than twenty-five books, including their newest release, Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills & Strategies to Build Resilience.
They also co-host the Raising Boys & Girls podcast, which has been downloaded more than 15 million times by parents seeking practical wisdom, encouragement, and hope. Through counseling, speaking, writing, and podcasting, Sissy and David are passionate about helping families feel less alone, more connected, and more confident in the journey of raising emotionally healthy and resilient kids.
You can connect with them at raisingboysandgirls.com or find daily encouragement on Instagram at @sissygoff and @raisingboysandgirls.
Bethany House has been publishing high quality books for over 60 years. From humble beginnings as a publishing ministry for a missions organization, they are now a division of Baker Publishing Group, one of the top Christian publishing houses. Bethany House seeks to uplift readers’ families, faith, and free time with our library of industry-leading fiction and bestselling, Christ-centered nonfiction. Their nonfiction encompasses a variety of subjects, including Christian living, family resources, theology, heaven, and many more. Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers. For more information, visit bakerpublishinggroup.com.
Media Contact: Sarah Miller, MMPR, sarah@mmpublicrelations.com
