Dear counselor,

I am 36-years-old, with a home, a husband, and three children. Last week I was let go from my job because of poor performance. I was there only 13 months, and was miserable from day one, because I knew I would fail. I have an engineering degree.

Since graduating with this degree, I have worked for eight different companies. I have been mainly in sales. I feel like a complete failure. Our financial situation is getting pretty bad, so my husband is working two jobs now. I honestly don’t know how we’ll survive.

There obviously must be something, because everyone I know is perfectly capable of holding down a job, not to mention getting the usual promotions. It is very depressing to see all of my friends and neighbours climbing their corporate ladders, while I keep getting knocked off of mine.

Aside from the depression, the fear and anxiety is destroying me. I haven’t slept well in a couple of years, and I’m usually in a pretty bad mood. Please help me.

Samantha