Profile / United States
Elizabeth Kotkin, LMFT
New York
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - trauma and addiction
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Trauma-Focused work
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Kotkin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 35 years of clinical experience based in New York. She focuses on concerns such as depression, trauma and abuse, grief, anxiety, stress, relationship strain, addiction, and issues around self-esteem and intimacy. Elizabeth uses approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered methods to help people notice patterns and try new responses.
Clients find straightforward work on specific problems in her sessions. She helps people identify unhelpful thoughts, set small goals, and practice different behaviors between meetings. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques are used when people need help clarifying goals or finding immediate steps forward.
Elizabeth has long experience guiding people through major life changes, parenting strain, and grief. She also works with concerns such as codependency, substance misuse, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and midlife transitions. She describes practical steps rather than abstract theory, and focuses on concrete skills that can be used day to day.
In session she talks through patterns linked to family of origin, abandonment, guilt, and shame, and supports work on sleeping, anger, and compassion fatigue. She also addresses women's issues and aging-related worries when they come up. The goal is clearer coping strategies and measurable steps toward the client’s priorities.
For people considering therapy, Elizabeth asks about current problems and priorities in the first sessions and uses that information to shape the plan. She works in English and practices in New York as an LMFT.
How her approaches translate to online work
Elizabeth often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot thinking and behavior patterns and to practice different responses. CBT sessions focus on concrete exercises, short experiments, and homework that can be reviewed between meetings. Client-Centered Therapy is used alongside CBT to keep the sessions focused on the person’s priorities and immediate concerns, emphasizing listening and understanding what the client wants to change. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone is unsure about change or needs help finding reasons to make a shift, offering brief conversations that clarify goals and next steps.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Elizabeth will collaborate with each person to decide which combination of methods fits their goals, needs, and preferences. That selection can change over time as progress is reviewed and problems evolve.
The practical benefits of online work include fitting sessions into a busy schedule and reducing travel time. If you are considering sessions, confirm the current session formats before booking so you know what’s offered. Online sessions can make it easier to keep regular appointments and to review between-session tasks without adding travel. Licensed professionals can tailor the structure of meetings to your daily routine and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
New York, California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She works with depression, trauma and abuse, addiction, grief, anxiety, stress, relationship and intimacy problems, and self-esteem issues.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try alternative responses. Sessions include practice of skills and homework to test new habits.
What is her professional background?
She has 35 years of clinical experience and has worked in both New York and California settings during her career.
What credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in California and New York and practices in New York.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.