Finding Hope Through Embracing Your Identity: Ali Burkhard

Defining who we are versus how our family, friends, and others
define us is a common experience; and striking a balance between
the two is an especially prevalent struggle for adolescents and
young adults. Identity development is the process of aligning how
we feel inside with what we project to the outside world and,
when there are internal and external influences that interfere
with that process, many might find that their mental health is
impacted. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Sherry’s
18-year-old daughter, Ali Burkhard, as she shares her own journey
of claiming her identity and how the process has impacted her
mental health. We also touch on why counseling has been such a
valuable resource for Ali, the importance of setting boundaries
in parent-child relationships, and how Ali’s faith has influenced
her journey and helped her find hope, plus so much more! Make
sure to stay tuned until the end of the episode to hear Ali’s
song, ‘Embraced’, which she wrote about her journey of embracing
her identity. We hope you’ll join us!





Key Points From This Episode:


Insight into Ali’s personality as an introvert, an internal
processor, and a deep thinker.

The social stigma and expectations that can accompany certain
stereotypes.

Influencing factors that made the process of identity
development difficult for Ali.

Why we shouldn’t make assumptions if we want to build
valuable relationships with people.

Ali reflects on the internal conflict that can come with
trying to live up to others’ expectations.

Understanding perfectionism as a coping mechanism.

How counseling has been a valuable resource for Ali.

A look at the importance of finding the right counselor for
you.

The problem with comparison when it comes to mental health
issues.

How Ali learned to voice her feelings and become more
connected with her emotions.

Dispelling the stigma that is associated with seeking support
for your mental health.

The importance of establishing respectful boundaries in
parent-child relationships.

Recognizing that you can’t change other people; you can only
work on yourself.

While it’s easy to feel like the victim in certain
situations, Ali highlights the fact that it only leaves you
feeling disempowered.

Advice for parents: you can’t fix what your child is going
through, but you can support them.

A reminder that there is always room to work on yourself.

Ali shares some insight into the song she wrote about her
journey of embracing her identity.

Understanding that you’re not broken if you’re struggling and
God doesn’t look on you with shame if you’re depressed.

Closing with Ali's story of hope: seeing the response that
others have had to her song.






Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:


‘Embraced’ by Ali Grace on Apple Music


Mosaics of Mercy