ABOUT CRAIG A. KNIPPENBERG, LCSW, M.Div.
Clinical Social Worker • Child & Adolescent Specialist • Author • Speaker
Best-selling Author and Educational Consultant, Craig A. Knippenberg, is renowned for his work with children, adolescents, and parents, especially his CONNECT group program, which he has led for over four decades. He has a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of children and families by developing effective strategies to help “imperfect” parents build resilient kids so that they may better understand how children’s brains work and foster a deeper connection and independence without guilt or shame.
Knippenberg holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Denver and a Master of Divinity with a focus on pastoral counseling from the Iliff School of Theology. His leadership roles include former president of the Attention Deficit Disorder Advocacy Group and various board positions championing causes like the Colorado Tourette Syndrome Association and the Rocky Mountain Chapter of CHADD.
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Knippenberg’s dedication extends to serving as a trusted mental health consultant for independent and public schools, having advanced a brain-based strategies and curriculum for teaching students about their social brain development. This curriculum is expanded on in presentations and keynotes to parent and professional groups on child and adolescent brain development. He has delivered lectures across the U.S. and internationally on the emotional and self-esteem challenges of exceptional students, including engagements at the UC-Davis’s MIND Institute.
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As a grandparent and adoptive, single, second-family and parent of an exceptional child, Knippenberg shares much of his knowledge and insight on his regular podcast Legit Parenting, as well as in his books Wired and Connected and Shame-Free Parenting.