Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst, NC Psychologist 6461
Licensed psychologist supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families
- Youth and family therapy
- Neurodiversity support
- Trauma-informed care
About Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst
Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst is a doctor of clinical psychology and a licensed psychologist who specializes in supporting teens, young adults, and parents through challenges such as anxiety, depression, neurodiversity including ADHD and autism, and issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and families. She blends clinical training with a compassionate, intersectional lens to help clients navigate identity, relationships, and life transitions.
Her training includes a bachelor of arts in Psychology from Swarthmore College and both masters and doctoral degrees from Widener University's Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, where she completed concentrated work in Diversity and Cross-cultural Psychology, Children, Adolescents, and Families, and School Psychology. During doctoral training she completed internships in a public school, a community mental health center serving children and families, and an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. After returning to North Carolina in 2020, she spent three years working primarily with LGBTQ+ teens, young adults, and their parents in private practice.
She offers messaging-based services at this time, providing asynchronous text-only exchanges for therapeutic or parent coaching work. Her approach integrates third-wave therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as well as Compassion-Focused Therapy and Family Systems work, with an emphasis on trauma-informed, gender-affirming care. She goes by Katherine or Dr. Ernst and uses she/her pronouns. She identifies as a queer, disabled, Arab-American woman and lives in The Triangle, North Carolina with her partner and their rescue dog and cats. The credential NC Psychologist 6461 denotes her license to practice psychology in North Carolina.
Her training includes a bachelor of arts in Psychology from Swarthmore College and both masters and doctoral degrees from Widener University's Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, where she completed concentrated work in Diversity and Cross-cultural Psychology, Children, Adolescents, and Families, and School Psychology. During doctoral training she completed internships in a public school, a community mental health center serving children and families, and an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. After returning to North Carolina in 2020, she spent three years working primarily with LGBTQ+ teens, young adults, and their parents in private practice.
She offers messaging-based services at this time, providing asynchronous text-only exchanges for therapeutic or parent coaching work. Her approach integrates third-wave therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as well as Compassion-Focused Therapy and Family Systems work, with an emphasis on trauma-informed, gender-affirming care. She goes by Katherine or Dr. Ernst and uses she/her pronouns. She identifies as a queer, disabled, Arab-American woman and lives in The Triangle, North Carolina with her partner and their rescue dog and cats. The credential NC Psychologist 6461 denotes her license to practice psychology in North Carolina.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefSleeping disordersSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Autism and Asperger SyndromeBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameMood disordersMulticultural concernsSelf-loveYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst have?
She has 9 years of experience.
Is Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds NC Psychologist 6461, a license to practice psychology in North Carolina.
In which languages does Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst located?
She is located in North Carolina.
How can I work with Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst work with international clients?
Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the Start Therapy button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the Start Therapy button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support
Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst frequently draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying personal values and learning practical ways to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking committed action toward meaningful goals - it can be helpful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches concrete skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, making it useful for intense emotions, relationship struggles, and coping under stress.Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the collaborative process. Dr. Ernst works with each person to identify which tools and strategies fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting methods over time so treatment remains relevant and practical.
Online therapy options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These formats can make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into a busy life, and access licensed professionals from where a person is located, while preserving the focus on effective, evidence-informed treatment.
Ready to start therapy with Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst?
Take the first step toward a better you.