Katherine L. Bracken, PhD, has lived in the Triangle area since 2012. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She then earned her master’s degree in psychology, as well as her doctorate in clinical psychology, from the University of Memphis.
During her graduate training, she worked four years in an outpatient community mental health clinic, where she provided outpatient therapy services to adults, couples, and families in the community. She completed a variety of practicum and research projects through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which included providing therapy services for veterans with PTSD and substance abuse issues. She has received training in a variety of treatment approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Relapse Prevention, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
Before joining 3-C Family Services, she worked for a nonprofit organization, where she conducted court-ordered psychological assessments and provided outpatient therapy services to individuals in the community and juveniles and adults who were incarcerated. She has also worked as a psychologist for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where she provided individual and group therapy, crisis/suicide risk management, and assessment services to individuals with a wide variety of presenting problems, ranging from adjustment issues to severe personality disorders and psychosis. In addition, she served as the coordinator for the care and management of transgender inmates.
Dr. Bracken has significant experience working with adolescents and adults who experience mood (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder) or anxiety concerns (e.g., panic, generalized anxiety/worry/stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, phobias, depression, bipolar disorder), trauma/PTSD, health/medical issues (e.g., chronic medical conditions, weight/dietary issues, chronic pain), impulse control problems, disruptive behavior problems, anger management issues, adjustment disorders, and substance abuse/addiction. She also provides couples counseling. She has significant experience working with individuals with gender identity issues and the LGBTQI community.
Dr. Bracken has completed intensive training in DBT through Behavioral Tech, LLC. She is an active member of the DBT consultation team and leads the Adult DBT group at 3-C Family Services.