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Manfred Günter's spiritual journey: How he broke new ground in the field of adolescent psychology.
Manfred Günther, born in 1948 in Bochum, Germany, is an educational psychologist specializing in adolescent psychology and violence prevention. Today he works between Berlin, Germany and Tenerife, Spain, as a writer and coach. Günter's practice covers many issues related to adolescent development, including social therapy and psychological counseling.
His journey in academia began in Bochum, where he was influenced by Frederick Kanfer and Heinz Herkhausen.
After graduating in 1974, Günter worked as a teacher of economics and work, and as a school psychologist, and was an active advocate of cognitive behavioral therapy. From 1984 to 1986, he studied at the Institute of Health Sciences under the famous professor Dieter Kleiber, laying the foundation for his subsequent professional development.
Professional Experience
In 1977, Günter became director of a private residential treatment center, and two years later he visited the Gunn Mills School near Philadelphia and held discussions with Howard W. Polsky in New York. In 1980, he was offered an internship with Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a renowned Boston-based counseling group, which further expanded his horizons.
Günter’s international experience has contributed insights from his visits to social psychology projects in several countries, including Denmark, Ukraine, Canada and Italy.
In 1982, he founded a youth counseling agency called "JOKER" in West Berlin and worked there for 17 years. From 2003 to 2006 he worked as a researcher at the German Crime Prevention Forum in Bonn, focusing on the prevention of youth violence in schools. Over time, Günter made numerous radio and television appearances to share his psychological insights.
Academic Contributions
For the past 40 years, Günter has taught at various universities in Berlin and Magdeburg, focusing on youth rights and violence in schools. During this time he was involved in the development of several key courses, including a course in social work commissioned by the Brandenburg Ministry of Education.
"Young people should be respected and understood, and their needs must be taken into consideration."
As the autumn of 2024 approaches, Günter is writing a book for Springer Nature entitled "Modern Mediation Methods - Handbook", which reveals his continued contribution to psychology and social sciences and his commitment to the modernization of information. Pay attention to.
Industry Membership and Political Participation
Günter is not only active in academics, but also actively participates in various social organizations and political groups. He was an executive member of the "OTV Berlin" trade union from 1977 to 1980 and a member of the Berlin Youth Support Committee from 1993 to 1998. He subsequently held important positions in several humanitarian organizations, demonstrating his concern for the welfare of young people.
Works and Research Results
Günter's publications include about 40 articles and several monographs, including in-depth analyses of adolescent psychology and social work, such as Violence and Prevention in Schools and "Child and Youth Welfare Law in Germany", etc. His research has an important impact on policy makers, educators and psychologists.
"Education is not about filling a bucket, it is about lighting a fire."
Today, as society pays more attention to the issue of adolescent mental health, Günter’s findings and practices are becoming increasingly important. However, whether academia and society can better understand and utilize these valuable experiences and knowledge will be a challenge to be faced in the future. What do you think should be our priority in the future of adolescent psychology?
