I’ve always been prone to anxiety, but around August of last year, it got out of hand. I finally went to a counselor (after a rather bad experience ~10 years prior) at my grad school’s psych. services. The counselor I’ve been seeing there is professional, kind, knowledgeable; her style is a perfect fit for me. She’s made a huge difference in my life. With her help I’ve made some lasting changes to my habits and thinking. I’ve gone from just about non-functional to thriving.
Unfortunately, the psych center here provides only “short-term” counseling, so it’s time for me to stop seeing her. I’ll start to see someone outside of the school’s center for some long-term work on a couple of issues, though truth be told, I’d really rather just continue to see her!
So, wise dopers, how do I express my appreciation for my counselor? A letter to the head of psych. services (cced to the appropriate people, including her) is in the works already… what else can I do that expresses my gratitude but is appropriate?
A personal card to her in addition to the professional one?
A small office plant? Something else for the entire office to share?
If you were me, what would you do?
If you are in psychology, counseling, social work: what would you appreciate?
Being in psychology as you put, I would greatly appreciate a card with some touching words. I am not a counselor, but I am in aquaintence with quite a few, and when a client writes a letter of appreciation, it always strikes the right cord in their heart. Good on you for thinking so highly of the person, and taking the extra time to write a personal card…
I’d go for the letter to the boss and a personal thank-you card to her. I also think that a plant or flowers are always nice (although I am not allowed to leave them out at work.) I work in a “helping” profession and letters-of-thanks always make me smile (and they go in my personnel file!)
I’m going with the concensus and agree that a heart-felt letter is the best way to thank her.
Considering she’s restricted to working with patients on a short-term basis, she probably gets frustrated sometimes, feeling like she can’t really make a difference in the time allotted. Knowing that she did manage to change someone’s life could really make her feel good about the work she does.
I am the assistant to the director of a college’s counseling services and I can tell you that both our counselors cherish personal notes of thanks. We don’t have a limited number of visits but obviously our students graduate and, occasionally, move to providers who can prescribe and those students who move on will often send a note. It really makes the counselor’s day.
Sometimes a student will send a gift as well, ranging from a piece of the student’s work to a book to a large and fancy gift basket. All are equally appreciated.
:eek: Not just the mere fact of it, but also the amount! “You’ve been very helpful in assisting me to deal with some serious personal issues. Here’s five whole dollars! Buy yourself something pretty.”
This comment, which is probably very true, coupled with my experiences with a career counselor leads to my suggestion.
Write down her address on a post-it note and stick in your calendar for 6 months from now. Then send her a(nother) note updating her on your life. Assuming that her help continues to make you a more productive member of society, I’m sure she’d be delighted to hear from you again in six months(or a year or some other length of time. Just take what steps you can so it isn’t a case of “I’ll send her a note . . . someday”.
I think a card is a great idea, especially since you’re moving on and it wouldn’t be weird. I wrote one to my therapist after I left the town I was in when I started therapy with him, thanking him for helping me through a hard time and introducing me to therapy (something I was doubtful about and scared of) in a way that made it worthwhile and valuable.
Psychologist here. A thank-you card is deeply appreciated and meaningful. I keep one or two round (i.e., locked up with my records) and sometimes re-read them, especially after a very hard day.
Thanks for the input, guys! For those of you with experience in the field (personally or through spouses), I’m glad to know that notes and letters are meaningful! (I mean, I guess they should be, I know I like to feel appreciated…)
Eureka, and Caricci, fantastic idea to write an update note a little ways down the road.
To be on the safe side, I’ll skip the five I was going to slip her on the way out.
