Elizabeth Kotkin , LMFT

Elizabeth Kotkin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 35 years of clinical experience working in both New York and California. She has spent decades supporting people through depression, trauma, grief, and major life transitions, and she brings deep expertise to areas such as social anxiety, isolation, shame, and relationship difficulties. Her practice emphasizes thoughtful, individualized care that meets each person where they are.

She is particularly experienced in assisting women facing midlife challenges, and in guiding clients through codependency and addiction recovery. Clients work with her to explore patterns that contribute to distress, to build resiliency, and to develop practical strategies for change. Elizabeth blends compassionate listening with evidence-informed techniques to help people make meaningful progress at their own pace.

Throughout her career she has focused on helping people understand themselves more clearly, reduce the impact of past hurts, and move toward more fulfilling relationships and daily functioning. As an LMFT - a licensed clinician trained in relational and family systems - she draws on a range of approaches to tailor therapy to each client’s goals and circumstances.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Elizabeth Kotkin integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to tailor treatment to each person's needs. Client-centered therapy focuses on empathy and active listening so clients can explore their experiences and identify what matters most to them; it is helpful for building self-esteem, navigating life transitions, and repairing relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) emphasizes identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress and to improve daily functioning. She also uses trauma-focused therapy when past traumatic events are central to a person's current struggles; this approach helps process painful memories and reduce their ongoing impact.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Elizabeth works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. Together they set priorities, try strategies, and adjust the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules, limited mobility, or those who prefer remote care. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to access licensed professionals from where you are, while still focusing on meaningful therapeutic work.