Dear Therapist,

I am writing this letter to express my utmost gratitude in working with me for the past two years. As you know, it is hard to accept that I have a diagnosis. My thoughts are supposed to keep me sane, aid me in coming up with new ideas for my papers etc. Instead, sometimes life gets a little overwhelming, and there are days when I cried my eyes out, spilling out all my hurts, joys, anger, excitement and just about anything that I couldn’t tell my parents.

Before I met you, the stigma around getting help for my heavily negative mindset was something I was afraid of. As a patient in one of the minority ethnic groups, mental health was rarely mentioned in my home. I heard things like, “you’re crazy, “just suck it up, and get over it, or “it’s just your imagination.” I have obsessions I couldn’t get rid of, nearly affecting my daily functions in life. But lo and behold, I have been blessed with you. You took my feelings and put an invisible bandage on them. You listened to my broken self with kind, compassionate ears and spoke gentle encouraging words to mend my insecurities. You, my dear therapist, have chosen an amazing profession for your life.

In that warm room of nature paintings and inspirational quotes, one quote surpassed all the others. This one says, “Do everything with gratitude.” Gratitude requires that one is grateful for all their blessings and lessons. It is hard when I am stuck with a million thoughts in my head about what to do for self-improvement. Yes, I get it, no one gets over depression and anxiety on their own. Meditation, therapy, medication, proper support system, and a willing heart to get better are crucial to a healthy mindset.

And in the midst of all my chaotic thoughts, there is hope. Hope, faith, and love all embodied within your soul. You did it not for money or promotion but, rather, because you have so much love to give. You are imperfect, yes, and you won’t solve all of my problems in the long run. However, I am blessed that there is someone out there who listens, cares, and strives to make a connection within a society that sometimes shames mental illnesses and discourage support. Let’s face it, everyone needs a little therapy every now and then. It’s healing those broken souls that you do best.

I am forever indebted to you for choosing this unconventional profession.

Blessings,

A Grateful Patient