Hello! I’m Dr. Emily Knitter, and I’m glad you’re here.

I'm a Psychologist with military and doctoral training. I specialize in trauma recovery and helping people reclaim their authentic selves. My journey to get here started as a military journalist, where I experienced firsthand both the strength of community and the impact of hierarchical systems.

After service, I struggled with the transition until a friend kindly suggested that maybe I try an appointment with the therapist they’d been seeing. That therapist helped me so much that I decided to pursue psychology myself in the hopes of helping others even half as much as she helped me.

Growing up in rural Virginia and serving in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Iraq, gave me a firsthand understanding of the barriers many face in seeking support. I had to work through many of them myself.

My approach integrates research-backed methods while remaining practical and challenging the notion that healing must look a certain way. I believe in treating the whole person, honoring the body's wisdom, and recognizing how societal expectations can compound the effects of trauma. As someone who's done, and continues to do, my own healing work, I know the courage it takes to step away from prescribed paths and begin creating your own.

I’ve lived in Western New York for a decade and am deeply proud to call Buffalo home. I value community and authenticity, which our city has in spades. I’m a huge animal person, so when not at work, you can usually find me at the barn with my two horses or at home with my husband, our two dogs, and our two cats.

I focus on supporting people in reconnecting with their innate wisdom after trauma and/or military service, guiding them toward authentic self-reclamation. My personal and professional experience positions me to create a space where healing happens on your terms—where you belong exactly as you are, and your natural resilience is honored.

Professional Accomplishments

    • EMDR Level I

    • Natural Lifemanship Level I

    • Coherence Therapy, introduction

    • Knitter, E. (2024). The Role of Mindful Self-Care in the Relationship between Psychological Inflexibility and Post-Military Reintegration among U.S. Veterans (Order No. 31330859). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ SUNY Buffalo; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3104860261). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/role-mindful-self-care-relationship-between/docview/3104860261/se-2

    • Knitter, E. (2022). My Mare, My Meditation Teacher. In L. R. Kogan (Ed.), The Gifts We Receive from Animals: Stories to Warm the Heart (pp. 12–14). Routledge Focus. https://www.routledge.com/The-Gifts-We-Receive-from-Animals-Stories-to-Warm-the- Heart/Kogan/p/book/9781032068374

    • Sokol, Y., Knapic, E., Levin, C., Silver, C., Hubner, S., Cole, S., Dichiara, A., & Goodman, M. (2022). The Relationship Between Future Self-Continuity and Suicide Risk in Military Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury, Journal of Veteran Studies.

    • Veteran Spouse Network Podcast [podcast]: “Real Talk: How to handle holidays, anniversaries, and more” with Dr. Emily Knitter and Dr. Kristen Vescera (December 19, 2024)

    • James J. Peters VA Medical Center; VISN 2; Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC) Webinar Series: “Understanding Transitioning Veterans: A Developmental and Culturally Informed Approach” with Emily Knitter and Dr. Ashley Greene (July 10, 2024)

    • Black Hills Health Care System, Education Day: “Beyond Combat: How military culture influences well-being after service” with Emily Knitter (December 13, 2023)

    • PAWNY Research Night in WNY: “The Influence of Military Culture on Veteran Transition” with Emily Knitter (April 7, 2022)

    • Course of Action with Jeff Clark [podcast]: “The Other Side of Military Transition” with Emily Knitter (April 1, 2022)

    • Personal Finance for PhDs [podcast]: “This Veteran Receives External Funding for Her PhD Program” with Emily Knitter (March 14, 2022)

    • Carry On: A Veteran’s Podcast [podcast]: “The Emotional Side of Transition with Emily Knitter” (Feb. 9, 2022)

    • 2021 New York State Psychological Association Conference, poster presentation: “Veterans with Low Vocational Identity Have Higher Transition Stress.” With Chana Silver and Emily Knapic (October 2021).

    • James J. Peters VA Medical Center; VISN 2; Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC) Webinar Series: “Understanding Transitioning Veterans & Service Members: Military Culture & Transition” with Emily Knapic, Dr. Ashley Greene, Todd Post, & Frank Grabarz III (September 15, 2021)

    • James J. Peters VA Medical Center; VISN 2; Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC) Webinar Series: “Understanding Transitioning Veterans & Service Members: What is Transitional Stress?” with Dr. Ashley Greene and Emily Knapic (August 25, 2021)

    • SUNY University at Buffalo Veteran’s Business Association webinar: “The Emotional Side of the Military Transition” with Emily Knapic (September 17, 2020)

  • I’ve worked with the following organizations:

    • Veterans Affairs Healthcare System

    • Worried About A Veteran

    • VA VISN 2 MIRECC Transitioning Servicemember/Veteran and Suicide Prevention Center (TASC)

    • Buffalo Psychiatric Center

    • Harmonia Collaborative Care

    • Seneca Nation

Interested in talking more to see if we are a good fit?