Elizabeth Kotkin, LMFT - Therapist in New York

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Kotkin is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 35 years of experience. She offers straightforward, practical help for people feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, or big life changes. Her tone is calm and direct, and she focuses on clear steps clients can try between sessions.

Elizabeth blends listening with goal-focused work. She uses client-centered conversation to understand what matters most. Then she pairs that with cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Background and approach

Motivational interviewing helps when people want to make difficult changes, such as reducing substance use or breaking patterns of avoidance. Clients often come with worries about relationships, parenting, sleep, feelings of shame or isolation, and stress that wears them down. Elizabeth pays attention to how those problems show up in daily life and helps people make realistic shifts.

She also has extensive experience addressing trauma and related symptoms using trauma-focused methods. Her practice in New York draws on long experience in both clinical work and practical problem solving. Elizabeth explains options clearly and helps people choose approaches that fit their situation.

Sessions aim for steady progress rather than quick fixes. She works in English and provides sessions using video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a time that fits both parties.

Therapeutic approaches and online sessions

Elizabeth commonly uses client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in her online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and responding to what the person says, helping them clarify values and priorities and feel heard. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete skills to shift unhelpful patterns.

She also draws on motivational interviewing when people want help making changes. That method uses questioning and reflective listening to strengthen motivation and plan doable steps toward goals. These approaches are practical and aim to match the method to the person's current needs rather than sticking to one model.

Elizabeth treats finding the right approach as a collaborative process. She will listen to concerns, discuss several methods, and together decide which fits best with the client’s goals and preferences. The plan can be adjusted over time as progress is made or new issues arise.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, follow up between sessions, or choose the contact style that feels most comfortable. Licensed professionals can deliver the same therapeutic techniques through these channels while working with each person’s schedule and needs.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Elizabeth treat?

She works with a broad range of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, trauma, relationship and intimacy difficulties, parenting stress, sleep problems, and ADHD-related challenges.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style combines careful listening with practical, goal-focused methods. Sessions mix client-centered conversation with cognitive and behavioral strategies tailored to each person.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Elizabeth brings 35 years of professional experience working with people facing trauma, addiction, midlife transitions, and long-term stress.

Where is she licensed and located?

She is a licensed marriage and family therapist - CA LMFT 19511 and NY LMFT 000974 - and practices in New York.

Which languages and regions are supported?

Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are offered?

Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.

How are fees and billing handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin?

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

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 35 years
Licensed: New York, California
Languages: English

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