Grief counselors and therapists in Lincoln, NE

I am a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over two decades of experience across a wide range of therapeutic settings, including family, adolescent, individual, group, adult, outpatient, residential, and day programs. I help clients enhance their quality of life by using evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is passionate about helping people feel more balanced, supported, and understood.I have experience working with adults facing challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use, and I believe mental health care should be compassionate, collaborative, and judgment free. My goal is to create a safe space where we can work together to find the right treatment plan for you. I offer medication management and supportive care tailored to your individual needs.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I specialize in working with teens and adults who are navigating challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. I am passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths, overcome obstacles, and develop a stronger sense of identity.

As a lifelong Missouri resident and educator, I am very familiar with the specifics that come with living in this area.

Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, depression, trauma, or health challenges start to take over. You may feel stuck, exhausted, or unsure how to move forward, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. I work with adults and older adults who are navigating emotional stress, life transitions, and complex medical conditions. Together, we’ll untangle what’s weighing on you, build practical tools, and help you feel more grounded, in control, and hopeful again.

I’m a licensed psychologist with more than three decades of experience in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and trauma-informed care. My background includes extensive work with adults, adolescents, and children across private practice, medical settings, and the VA’s PTSD clinic, where I provided both treatment and disability evaluations. I completed my doctorate at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in an APA-approved Counseling Psychology program and an APA-accredited internship with broad training in assessment, psychotherapy, and multidisciplinary collaboration. I specialize in trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, dissociation, family-of-origin issues, and helping people untangle long-standing patterns that keep them stuck. My style is warm, open-minded, and direct, meeting people right where they are while helping them move toward where they want to be.

Hello — I am Marlene Knerl and I look forward to meeting you. I moved to Nebraska from the west coast in the 1990s as a single mother with a desire to go to college and better our lives. I thought that Nebraska would allow for me to raise my two sons in a small town while simultaneously attending a University. First, I achieved a comprehensive degree in Psychology, then a MSed in Community Counseling.

Since becoming licensed as a counselor I have been working with individuals and families. Life can be difficult and helping people navigate the struggles is at times a challenge but nothing is more rewarding. I have always desired to help people and this profession has allowed for me to enact those intrinsic desires.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve what you desire.