Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst , NC Psychologist 6461

Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst is a doctor of clinical psychology and a licensed psychologist practicing in North Carolina, identified by the license NC Psychologist 6461. She draws on doctoral-level training in clinical psychology and a range of clinical experiences to support teens, young adults, parents, and families navigating stress, anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, identity concerns, and relationship or parenting challenges.

Her training began with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Swarthmore College and continued with master’s and doctoral degrees from Widener University's Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology. During her doctoral program she completed focused tracks in Diversity and Cross-cultural Psychology, Children, Adolescents, and Families, and School Psychology, and she completed internships in a public school, a community mental health center for children and families, and an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. After returning to North Carolina in 2020, she worked in private practice primarily with LGBTQ+ teens, young adults, and their parents.

Dr. Ernst integrates third-wave therapies - including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) - with Family Systems approaches. She emphasizes an intersectional, trauma-informed, and gender-affirming stance when working with LGBTQ+ young people and their families, and brings warmth, acceptance, and compassion to individual therapy and parent coaching. She goes by Katherine or Dr. Ernst, uses she/her pronouns, and openly identifies as a queer, disabled, Arab-American woman who lives in The Triangle with her partner and their rescue dog and cats.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people clarify their values and build psychological flexibility. ACT focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and taking committed action toward meaningful goals - an approach that can help with anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) strategies to teach practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress. DBT techniques can be especially useful for people who struggle with emotion regulation, relationship conflicts, or chronic stress.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Ernst works with clients to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts techniques over time so therapy stays practical and relevant.

Online therapy offers flexibility to connect in ways that suit different schedules and comfort levels. Clients can meet by video call, speak by phone, engage in live chat, or use text-based messaging, which can make care more accessible for busy families, young adults, and people who prefer asynchronous communication.