Family, Child & Teen Psychologist
Office Locations: Telehealth Only
EXPERTISE & SPECIAL INTERESTS: Children, teens, and families, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, defiance, grief, and LGBTQ+ families.
Dr. Katherine Qubain Ernst, Psy.D. is a post-doctoral fellow. She has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with concentrations in diversity and children, adolescents, and families. She also completed the school psychology track in her doctoral program. She provides individual therapy, group therapy, psychoeducational assessments, and psychoeducational testing, and psychological assessments.
Child Psychologist, Teen Psychologist, Raleigh & Cary NC
Dr. Ernst approaches children, teens, and families with warmth, acceptance, and compassion. She uses an integration of three therapeutic approaches — cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT), and family systems. Dr. Ernst is particularly passionate about taking an intersectional approach to supporting LGBTQ+ young people and their families. She has experience with providing mental health services in schools, community mental health centers, and inpatient drug & alcohol rehabilitation.
Testing for Children & Adolescents, Raleigh & Cary NC
Dr. Ernst’s background in clinical psychology and school psychology has provided experience with psychological testing and psychoeducational testing for a variety of concerns, including learning disabilities testing, ADHD testing, and testing for social-emotional functioning.
Group Therapy for Children, Social Skills Groups & Summer Day Camps, Raleigh & Cary NC
Dr. Ernst has experience with running groups for children, teens, and adults on the topics of social-emotional skill development, depression, trauma, and addiction. Social skills groups for kids and teens are offered weekly throughout the year as well as week-long social skills day camps in the summer. Groups and camps cover many issues that help kids develop the skills needed to foster healthy relationships and to deal with the challenges of everyday life, including self-control, anger management, gossiping, bullying, shyness, communication, and self-esteem. Group settings provide a safe space for people of all ages to collectively process difficult experiences; to learn that they are not alone; to be supported by their fellow group members; and to gain knowledge and skills. Dr. Ernst hopes to create a group based on the topic of her doctoral dissertation — supporting parents of transgender kids and teens.
Dr. Ernst is originally from Raleigh, NC but has lived in Swarthmore, PA for the last 12 years. During her time in Pennsylvania, Dr. Ernst has completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Swarthmore College with a minor in English Literature; her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Widener University; and her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Widener University with a focus on children, diversity, and schools. She completed her school psychology and APA-accredited internships at a public school, a community mental health center for children and families, and an inpatient drug & alcohol rehabilitation facility. Dr. Ernst is excited to finally return to her hometown.
Dr. Ernst enjoys hanging out with her friends, family, and rescue cats. She loves to read fantasy novels in her spare time. Before the pandemic, Dr. Ernst enjoyed going to museums, coffee shops, the movies, bookstores, and farmer’s markets.
Teen Psychologist, Testing, and Group Therapy for Children in Cary, North Carolina 27513
Dr. Ernst provides psychotherapy services for children, teenagers, college students, and adults dealing with a range of social issues, emotional issues, behavior problems, developmental disorders, and other mental health concerns. She offers developmental testing, educational testing, psychoeducational assessments, and psychological testing for kids, teens, and families. She also provides a full spectrum of group therapy services, including social skills classes and social skills summer camps for preschool children through teenagers.