Taking the step to participate in therapy/counseling takes tremendous courage and desire for something in one’s life to be different. As a therapist, my job is to create an atmosphere that encourages alliance between therapist and client, a key component for successful therapy. I consider myself primarily a generalist in types of clients I work with as I have worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and groups. The therapy relationship makes the theory and techniques used most effective. Building this is the first task in a therapeutic relationship. Through this alliance clients and I venture on a journey often anxiety-provoking (as any/all change is) and develop skills and strategies to managed problems and resolve difficulties. My theoretical approach draws from many areas. The primary influence is cognitive-behavioral theory. What is best and most effective is very individual to each client and situation.