When I was fourteen, my parents and I found ourselves at odds. We were trapped in a power struggle with no one winning, headed for disaster. My parents’ attempt to gain control blew up in our faces, creating more pain and frustration. As the rules and boundaries increased, so did my rebellion—making life miserable for all of us. Thankfully, my mom had the insight to contact a family counselor and seek help. At first, I was skeptical and even rebellious. But once we met the therapist, I was pleasantly surprised. I remember thinking, “Wow, this could really work.” For the first time I felt someone heard me, understood my feelings, and let me have a voice. This experience changed my life. It helped to resolve the power struggles with my parents, helped me through my teenage years and gave me life skills to become who I am today. It was such a powerful experience for me that I knew this was my life’s work – providing a safe space where others could be vulnerable and heard in working through difficult times. My personal experience, education and training has helped me become a counselor who values relationships. I now see how the connections between family members and other significant people in our lives contributes to our functioning, day to day.