Here at Amanecer, our clients mean the world to us. When treatment concludes with a client, it’s a bittersweet moment; while we are thrilled for the progress they’ve made and that they are now in a healthier, happier place, we miss them. However, from time to time, a past client will reach out with an update on their lives. Last week, one of our case managers, Christina, received this email from a past client:

Hi Christina,

It’s Sandra. You were my case manager, I want to say about three or four years ago. I was suppose to text you when I started playing guitar again, which I have to admit I have yet to do so. I know you can’t reply or won’t be able to since you’re no longer on my case nor am I receiving services from amanecer.
 
I just wanted to say thank you for everything. I graduated from CSUN a month ago, virtually which was weird. I graduated with a BA in Art with a concentration in graphic design. I’ll be returning to school in a year or so to complete a degree in psychology since I still have a passion for it.

Again, thank you so much for everything you did, I’m in a really good place in life right now, mentally speaking, and I’m beyond grateful to have had you as my case manager.
 
-Sandra

This email was so meaningful for Christina. When Sandra began treatment with Amanecer in 2014, she was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features and anxiety. She frequently would see shadows or feel someone (or something) following her around. School was so stressful for her as well, she regularly experienced anxiety attacks that would cause her to run out of the classroom.

Anxiety ruled a lot of Sandra’s life. She had difficulty making decisions on her own and would feel immense overwhelm when friends would reach out to her via phone calls and texts. She struggled to make eye contact or speak in complete sentences during conversations. Sandra also faced a lot of stress about her parents, who were undocumented, getting deported and leaving her and her sister alone here in the U.S. Most nights she had vivid nightmares and she had begun to self-harm. 

Through individual rehab sessions, Christina helped Sandra to practice eye contact, hold fluid conversations without feeling overwhelmed, and reduce her anxiety by consistently reinforcing the coping skills established in her treatment plan. Christina also chose to hold her sessions with Sandra out in public settings to help her grow more comfortable surrounded by other people. One of these outings included a visit to CSUN as Sandra was interested in transferring there from Glendale Community College but was fearful of the process. Christina helped her to feel as if it was a simple and attainable step for herself. 

We are so proud of Sandra and her successes! We can’t wait to see what other amazing accomplishments she achieves in her life.