How to Help a Friend

Parenting

When Is It Time to Let Go of Our Young Adult Child?

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on March 20, 2018

If we are lucky, we form a close and caring relationship with our children. But as they mature, our relationship changes from providing and guiding to meeting and conferring.

If we are lucky, we form a close and caring relationship with our children. But as they mature, our relationship changes from providing and guiding to meeting and conferring.

Environment

How a Yabut Can Kill a Conversation

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on January 17, 2018

Nothing sucks the blood out a great idea faster than the dreaded "Yabut." Yabuts need to feel in control and by adding the word "but" they discount everything leading up to it.

Nothing sucks the blood out a great idea faster than the dreaded "Yabut." Yabuts need to feel in control and by adding the word "but" they discount everything leading up to it.

Attachment

Bonding Is Essential for Every Infant

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on December 25, 2017

Forty percent of all newborns do not adequately bond with their caregivers, partly because a third of parents do not know how to form a meaningful attachment with an infant.

Forty percent of all newborns do not adequately bond with their caregivers, partly because a third of parents do not know how to form a meaningful attachment with an infant.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the same season each year, thought to be caused by a lack of sunlight that may upset your biological clock.

Narcissism

Why Men Harass Women and the Impact on the Victims

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on December 3, 2017

Dominance, not desire, is on the mind of men who sexually harass. They feel entitled to objectify, and the media needs to give equal time to the victims.

Dominance, not desire, is on the mind of men who sexually harass. They feel entitled to objectify, and the media needs to give equal time to the victims.

Relationships

Why Is It Important to Have Personal Boundaries?

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on November 17, 2017

Boundaries are our guidelines for what you will and won’t accept in a relationship. They show people how to treat you and what to expect from you.

Boundaries are our guidelines for what you will and won’t accept in a relationship. They show people how to treat you and what to expect from you.

Depression

Depression and Mood Disorders

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on October 2, 2017

Most of us have learned to cope with mood swings but at any one time almost 10 percent of the U.S. adult population experience depression. Look for the signs and seek help.

Most of us have learned to cope with mood swings but at any one time almost 10 percent of the U.S. adult population experience depression. Look for the signs and seek help.

Personality

Counseling a Person With a Multiple Personality Disorder

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on August 15, 2017

Dissociation is a coping mechanism. A person literally dissociates himself from a situation that's too violent, traumatic or painful to assimilate with his conscious self.

Dissociation is a coping mechanism. A person literally dissociates himself from a situation that's too violent, traumatic or painful to assimilate with his conscious self.

Bipolar Disorder

I'm Not in the Mood

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on August 7, 2017

Will our mood for the day control how the day goes, or do we control the mood? What will be your mood for the day? Happy or grumpy?

Will our mood for the day control how the day goes, or do we control the mood? What will be your mood for the day? Happy or grumpy?

Depression

Could the Seasons Affect Your Mood?

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on June 12, 2017

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the same season each year thought to be caused by the lack of sunlight that may upset your biological clock.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs during the same season each year thought to be caused by the lack of sunlight that may upset your biological clock.

Stress

How We Handle Stress Predicts How Well We Age

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on April 14, 2017

Researchers view stress — how much we face and how well we cope with it — as the most significant factors for predicting how well we age.

Researchers view stress — how much we face and how well we cope with it — as the most significant factors for predicting how well we age.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to a school with all eight grades under one roof with no electricity or phone and where everyone drank from same dipper?

Self-Help

The Story of the Dipper and the Bucket

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on March 12, 2017

Our fast paced lives leave limited opportunities to touch lives. The story of the dipper and the bucket presents a way to raise other people's sense of worth and raise our own.

Our fast paced lives leave limited opportunities to touch lives. The story of the dipper and the bucket presents a way to raise other people's sense of worth and raise our own.

Narcissism

We Can Often See the Reflection of Our Narcissistic Side

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on February 11, 2017

Do external affirmations seem not to exist? Do you want to brag about yourself but you know you ought not? How do you build self-confidence without being narcissistic?

Do external affirmations seem not to exist? Do you want to brag about yourself but you know you ought not? How do you build self-confidence without being narcissistic?

Depression

Counseling with Visual Metaphors

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on January 12, 2017

We are bombarded with visual metaphors on television every day. Clients use metaphors to understand their dilemmas and plan strategies for change.

We are bombarded with visual metaphors on television every day. Clients use metaphors to understand their dilemmas and plan strategies for change.

Spirituality

Helping the Terminally Ill

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on December 14, 2016

People with a terminal illness face the most lonely and fearful time of their lives. A Palliative Care team provides comfort and optimizes quality of life during this trying time.

People with a terminal illness face the most lonely and fearful time of their lives. A Palliative Care team provides comfort and optimizes quality of life during this trying time.

Grief

Grief Following Sudden Death of a Loved One

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on October 4, 2016

The sudden death of a child creates disbelief, shock, sadness, anger and guilt. The shock can be so great the siblings can become the "forgotten mourners."

The sudden death of a child creates disbelief, shock, sadness, anger and guilt. The shock can be so great the siblings can become the "forgotten mourners."

Sexual Abuse

The Story Of One Sexually Abused Girl

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on September 7, 2016

Far too many adults carry feelings of guilt and shame left by childhood sexual abuse. Therapy can help alleviate the pain but major efforts need to be spent on prevention.

Far too many adults carry feelings of guilt and shame left by childhood sexual abuse. Therapy can help alleviate the pain but major efforts need to be spent on prevention.

Family Dynamics

Why Do Siblings Have Different Memories of Growing Up?

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on August 16, 2016

Have you ever noticed siblings remember things differently? Partly because they each experienced a different family.

Have you ever noticed siblings remember things differently? Partly because they each experienced a different family.

Relationships

Do We Discover Meaning to Life or Do We Create It

Marvin G. Knittel Ed.D. on August 8, 2016

Many people go through life on a headlong frenzy to find the one thing that will give meaning to their lives. Discover meaningful relationships in the "rest areas" of our lives.

Many people go through life on a headlong frenzy to find the one thing that will give meaning to their lives. Discover meaningful relationships in the "rest areas" of our lives.