Ana’s Story: How School-Based Mental Health Support Turned Anxiety into Empowerment

When Ana first started 6th grade, everything felt overwhelming. The hallways were louder, the classes were harder, and the familiar faces from elementary school seemed farther away than ever. Each morning, she woke up with a knot in her stomach.

Anxiety followed her into the classroom — she was afraid to raise her hand, terrified to ask for help, and unsure how to connect with her new peers. Even the simple idea of starting a conversation made her heart race.

That’s when Ana began working with a Fred Finch school-based therapist. In their weekly sessions, Ana bravely shared her fears. Together, they set small, achievable goals:– Raise your hand once this week. Say hi to a classmate. Ask a teacher one question.Week by week, Ana faced those fears head-on. And each time she met her goal, her smile grew a little brighter.

With support, Ana learned calming strategies like deep breathing, grounding exercises, and mindful self-talk. These coping tools helped her feel more in control — both in and out of the classroom. Slowly but surely, her confidence began to bloom.

She made new friends. She started enjoying school. And one day, she said something that moved her therapist to tears:

“This is the first time I’m not nervous about going into a new school year.”

By the end of 6th grade, Ana had not only met every one of her therapeutic goals — she had exceeded them. She no longer described herself as anxious or unsure. Instead, she used words like “happy,” “confident,” and “ready.”

With a newfound belief in her own strength, Ana and her therapist agreed it was time to graduate from treatment. As she looked ahead to 7th grade, she wasn’t just hopeful — she was empowered..

Want to Learn More About How We Support Students?

Explore our School and Educational Services to see how we partner with schools to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive care across California.

Our myriad of services — including school-based programs — deliver vital behavioral health, special education, and emotional support to students with complex needs. From in-class counseling and collaboration on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to our certified non-public schools in Oakland and San Diego, our tailored special educational service help students like Ana heal, learn, and thrive..

Learn more about our School Based programs: https://www.fredfinch.org/school-and-educational