LPC

Kayla Ernst, LPC

Experience4 years
LocationSouth Carolina
Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, and Self esteem
Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

About Kayla

Kayla Ernst is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) who helps people manage stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, self-esteem struggles, grief, anger, bipolar symptoms, and difficult life transitions.

Background and approach

She draws on Internal Family Systems to help clients recognize and relate to different inner parts, using that perspective to create more self-direction and internal cooperation. Her work also integrates EMDR for processing traumatic memories and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and encourage action in line with what matters most.

In sessions Kayla emphasizes collaboration and practical skills alongside deeper processing work. She blends client-centered listening with evidence-informed tools such as DBT strategies for emotion regulation and mindfulness exercises to reduce reactivity.

With four years of clinical experience in South Carolina, she aims to help people move from feeling stuck by offering approaches that address intrusive thoughts, dissociation, attachment wounds, compulsive behaviors, and other patterns that interfere with daily life. Kayla invites clients to explore their experiences at a pace that feels manageable while building skills for long-term resilience.

Her style is grounded, compassionate, and focused on helping individuals reclaim agency over their choices and relationships.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Internal Family Systems helps people identify and relate to different inner parts, offering a framework for understanding internal conflicts and wounded places; in an online setting this can be used to develop self-leadership and reduce internal criticism. EMDR is a trauma-focused method that supports processing distressing memories through bilateral stimulation and guided processing, which can be adapted for virtual sessions to address traumatic experiences. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages clarifying personal values and taking committed action despite difficult thoughts or feelings, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and life changes during remote work together.

Choosing the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to explore which methods meet their goals and preferences, combining techniques as needed and adjusting pacing so the work fits the individual's comfort and readiness.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to access care from home or other convenient locations and to choose the format that supports their schedule and communication style. These options can make it easier to maintain consistency, try different modalities, and integrate therapeutic tools into daily life.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Kayla supports people working with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, anger, bipolar symptoms, relationship and family challenges, and life transitions, along with related issues such as OCD, panic, and personality disorder concerns.

What is the therapist's general approach and style?

The approach is collaborative and client-centered, combining empathic listening with practical interventions to develop skills and foster insight. Therapy blends relational support with structured techniques tailored to each person's needs.

How much clinical experience does this therapist have?

The therapist has four years of experience providing mental health care in clinical settings and independent practice within South Carolina.

What credentials and licensing does the therapist hold and where are they located?

She holds the LPC credential and is licensed in South Carolina with license number SC LPC 8409.

Which languages are used and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are conducted in English, and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available for working together?

Clients can meet by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and scheduling.

How does billing and cost work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions are billed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with this therapist?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefAnger managementBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Attachment issuesCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issues Dissociation Guilt and shame Impulsivity Isolation / lonelinessMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPost-traumatic stress Social anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Trauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

4+ years

Licensed

South Carolina

Languages

English