My name is Alfred J. Knittel, LPC, but you can call me AJ.  I am dually licensed in Alaska LPC–170303 and Idaho LPC-7863.
I graduated from the University of Idaho in 2014 with a bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Communication.  In 2015, I started working for a group practice where I provided Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services and Community-Based Rehabilitation Services.  Most of the work involved working with students on IEPs with behavioral goals and adapting behaviors.  Another part of that work was working with kids and families in the community based on treatment goals identified by their counselors.
From 2015 – 2020, I volunteered as a Grief Group Facilitator for Willow center in Lewiston, Idaho, predominantly working in the teen group providing group facilitation services and group facilitation younger children.
In 2016, I took a second job as a part-time Juvenile Detention Officer and worked at the Nez Perce Juvenile Detention Center until 2018.
From 2018-2019, I worked as a Special Education Instructional Assistant for the Independent School District No. 1 in Lewiston, Idaho.
In May 2020, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, with a dual master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.
In April 2020, I obtained the qualifications of a Grief and Loss Specialist from the American School Counseling Association University.
From August 2020 to May 2022, I worked for the Dillingham City School District as the Mental Health Counselor providing individual counseling services and counseling program development for K 12 students.
In August 2022, I met the qualifications for Therapeutic Behavioral Services Supervisor.  TBS is an intensive behavioral Medicaid service in Idaho where TBS workers will work individually with families to adapt intensive behaviors that children exhibit.
June 2024, I have met the qualifications to be a Certified Grief Educator from David Kessler's grief educator class.  As a result of this class I have been able to be listed on Grief.com in the therapist directory.
Specific issues that I have had continuing education and experience in include; Depression, Anxiety, Grief and Loss, LGBTQ+ issues, Relationships, Child and Family, Addiction, Anger Management, and Stress Management.
The theoretical orientation that I work from stems from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness.  I also have training and experience with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Adlerian Therapy.
In the work we can do together, you will be able to notice and identify different thoughts and belief systems, their impact on your life, and how to adapt them to become more meaningful and effective.  We will work to develop coping strategies that will assist you in managing impactful emotions and learning how to become more responsive rather than reactive to the situations you experience in your life.