A Letter.

Dear Dr. X

You probably don’ t remember me, but I remember you very well. Two years ago I attended Georgia Southern University. I was a SOAR leader and you helped with our sessions. I always admired you as a well-spoken and thoughtful person, who was passionate about helping students transition to college. You seemed like someone I could trust. Especially, as a black woman. Anyways, the following semester I came to you in the middle of a school-induced panic attack. I was going through a lot of stress that semester. I had just come out to my mom, I had just begun experiencing anxiety, and I was unsure of where I was headed. Because of this, I wasn’t able to focus or study well for school, and I missed my test after not being able to sleep. You helped me, and then directed me to the on-campus health clinic. The next day, my professor said that I could not make up my test until I had documentation I was at your office. I called the counseling center multiple times, and the nice receptionist told me to come in.

When I came in, I guess you had just gotten in from your lunch break. You were completely rude with me. You talked to me like I was a child, and scolded me for unknowingly interrupting your lunch break. I felt worthless. The way you treated me was even worse than you refusing to write a letter for me. Which I think you did out of spite. After that incident I continued having my anxiety attack, self-harmed, was committed to the hospital in savannah. I medically withdrew from school, and took a semester off. I believe my mother called you trying to gain information on where I was, and she said during that phone call you were completely unprofessional and rude as well. 

This letter isn’t a sad story about how you ruined me, or ruined my life. This letter is a thank you note. I now attend Kennesaw State University and I graduate in the spring. I currently work on campus with adults with learning disabilities. I am an activist, and a writer, and a student leader. I am applying for MSW programs in the Fall, and I know I will attend a very highly ranked school. I have successful relationships with my friends, family, and peers. I want to be a counselor so I can help other students like me. After attending counseling at Kennesaw with an MSW student, I learned that there are good and caring counselors out there. People who consistently treat others with respect.  I couldn’t have done all of this without your help. Your complete rudeness towards me gave me the fuel I needed to help others. The way you treated me, showed me exactly the ways that I do NOT want to practice with my clients. By dehumanizing me, you gave me the strength to accept every person that may possibly need my help, and that is why I continue to work hard. 

I don’t know you. I don’t know much about your practice, other than the fact that a quick google search has shown me you’ve won some awards. I don’t know if you’re a good person, or I don’t know if you’re a good psychologist. All I know is the one interaction we’ve had, and I know how hurtful it was. So, if this behavior is not reflective of who you are as a person, or as a Black woman, I ask that you may remember this letter in the future. I ask that you may remember your behavior has impact on people, once they leave your office. I ask that maybe just one time, you cut your lunch break a little bit short to take time to talk to a student who clearly needed help.

Thank you.