Dr. Bernadine Knittel , LPC

Dr. Bernadine Knittel focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, self-esteem concerns, and life transitions. She often works with issues tied to parenting, career shifts, grief, intimacy, and women's issues. Her tone is calm and practical, and she aims to set clear, achievable goals with each person she sees.

She brings 27 years of experience in counseling and education. Much of her background comes from working as a school counselor with middle and high school students, helping them with academics, social and emotional growth, and planning for life after graduation. She also teaches and supervises counseling students as an adjunct professor at the University of Northern Colorado.

Dr. Knittel holds a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Colorado State University and a PhD in Education and Human Resource Studies. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, and she describes her work as collaborative and goal-oriented. She listens first, then helps people set steps they can actually use.

Her approach blends several practical methods. She uses cognitive behavioral ideas to notice and change unhelpful thinking. Motivational interviewing helps when someone is unsure about change. She also draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered listening to keep the work focused on the person's values and strengths.

People who prefer straightforward, experience-based guidance tend to connect with her style. She emphasizes compassion, empathy, and sensitivity while helping clients move toward clearer choices and more manageable daily routines.

Approaches that translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice what matters to them and take small steps toward those values despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It is useful for stress, life transitions, and worries that keep someone stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. It works well for everyday stress, low mood, and changing repetitive patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then try methods that fit those needs. That collaborative process means approaches can be mixed or adjusted over time as progress and priorities change.

Online sessions can include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different schedules and needs. Video lets people use face-to-face conversation when they want it. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging allow brief check-ins or ongoing support between longer appointments. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, family, and other responsibilities.