To the Guidance Counselor Who Helped My Daughter Through Her Anxiety

To my daughter’s elementary school guidance counselor,

A few years ago you helped my daughter during a difficult time. She was struggling with some anxiety issues after a few small incidents happened. Incidents which seemed minor at the time, but became a big deal to her. She had trouble getting herself to school, and trouble concentrating on her school work.

Every day before school she felt fear, heart palpitations and difficulty breathing. As someone who deals with anxiety, I couldn’t bear to see her like that. I understood the horrible symptoms she was experiencing, but I did not know how to help her. I tried to hug her, I tried to help her take deep breaths. I tried to tell her I loved her no matter what, and that she would be OK.

But love was not enough. I was not enough. She need some extra help during that difficult time.

She needed you.

You let her sit in your office until she was ready to go to her classroom. You gave her some tools to slowly overcome her anxiety. You sat with her. You ate lunch with her. You listened.

You cared.

You made yourself available when she needed you, even though you were busy helping so many others and had many other responsibilities to attend to. You answered our questions, and provided a referral for counseling in case we needed it.

You handled the situation perfectly, with the skill and professionalism that only a top rate school guidance counselor possesses. You were committed to helping my daughter, you never stopped trying.

I don’t think you realize how much you did for my daughter and our family. She was drifting into a sea of anxiety, and you provided a much needed life vest. She was able to go to school knowing you were there. We were able to relax a little because you were there.

You are a constant, reassuring presence to many children at the school. You are very involved, you are loved.

You continued to guide and help my daughter after she was doing much better. You regularly teach her and her class many valuable lessons. You are helping them to prepare for the upcoming transition to middle school. You answer all of their questions. You go out of your way to bring in things to help them such as combination locks, which so many of them are worried about learning how to use.

I don’t think school guidance counselors get enough credit. We take the fact that you are there for granted, we don’t realize all you do on a daily basis. But, when our children need you, you are always there.

Thanks to you my daughter got through her crisis and is excelling in school. She is getting top grades and has a renewed confidence in herself.

You deserve the award you are being considered for and so much more. Your guidance is invaluable, you are helping steer so many children in the right direction, you are making a big difference in so many lives.

My daughter will take all you have shown her wherever she goes. She is getting ready to move on from elementary school, but she will always have a place for you in her heart.

I am responsible, respectful and ready to learn,

I have finished elementary school, and now it’s my turn,

I will take all you’ve shown me, wherever I go,  

I will always be grateful, and I want you to know,

that elementary school will always mean the world to me,

I’m ready to move on now, but I’m forever a Husky!

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