- Years in practice
- 35
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- New York, California
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Grief
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Kotkin is a licensed marriage and family therapist in New York with 35 years of experience. She works with people facing anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, parenting stress, and grief. Elizabeth uses a straightforward, compassionate style to help people feel understood and to find practical steps forward.
She often begins by listening closely to what matters most to the person in front of her. Sessions focus on current struggles and on building tools to manage stress, sleep problems, anger, and self-esteem.
Background and approach
Elizabeth draws on evidence-informed methods to tailor the plan to each person’s needs. Clients meet her when they are coping with relationship strain, intimacy-related concerns, family-of-origin patterns, or life changes such as divorce and caregiving. She also supports people dealing with codependency, substance use issues, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
Her work addresses both emotional symptoms and everyday functioning. Elizabeth blends client-centered work with practical techniques from cognitive behavioral and solution-focused approaches. She helps people break down problems into manageable steps and practice new skills between sessions.
Motivational interviewing techniques are used when change feels difficult or stalled. Over decades in practice she has helped those struggling with shame, isolation, and compassion fatigue. The tone is collaborative and respectful, aimed at helping people clarify goals and try small, achievable changes.
Elizabeth explains options clearly and helps clients choose what fits their life and values.
What Elizabeth works with
Everything Elizabeth lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Elizabeth helps people with.
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Codependency
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family of origin issues
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Midlife crisis
- Post-traumatic stress
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
Approaches Elizabeth lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Elizabeth blends proven approaches for online care
Elizabeth often uses client-centered therapy to start. This means she listens carefully and follows the client’s priorities, helping people feel heard and shaping goals together. It is useful for building trust and clarifying what change would look like for each person.She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. CBT is practical and helps with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress by teaching skills that can be practiced between sessions. Motivational interviewing is used when someone feels stuck; it helps clarify personal reasons for change and boosts readiness to try new steps.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Elizabeth collaborates with clients to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts the plan over time based on what is helpful and what the client wants to focus on.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video visits let therapists work face-to-face when helpful, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and messaging or chat supports brief check-ins or ongoing encouragement. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to keep momentum between sessions.
Questions people ask about Elizabeth
What concerns does Elizabeth commonly address?
She works with people facing anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, parenting stress, sleep problems, anger, and relationship or intimacy-related issues.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is compassionate and practical. She listens first, then collaborates on clear steps clients can try between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 35 years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and life challenges in New York and California.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist - LMFT - licensed in California and New York, and practices from New York.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
She meets with clients by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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