Dr. Erin Kotkowski
Dr. Kotkowski is an independently licensed clinical psychologist. She provides formal psychological testing assessments for individuals aged 6 and up with an approach that is both supported by research as well as culturally sensitive. She also provides therapy for individuals aged 11 and up using an integrative approach in her work with clients providing psychoeducation, skill-building, and a safe space in which individuals can explore and process new or difficult thoughts and feelings. Dr. Kotkowski has experience working with a variety of concerns such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, and with the LGBTQ+ community. She has also spent many years researching and working with women who have experienced depression during pregnancy, postpartum depression, and trauma associated with difficulties during pregnancy.
Dr. Kotkowski applies psychological formal assessment to gain insight and provide recommendations for children, youth, and adults experiencing difficulties in academics, interpersonal interactions, or engaging in a fulfilling life. She is competent in assessing clients’ intelligence, personality, ADHD, Autism, and symptom profiles. Dr. Kotkowski is also well-equipped to aid clients in navigating the process of Gender Affirming Surgery and is experienced in evaluating readiness.
Dr. Kotkowski earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Akron, in Akron, Ohio. She earned her master's degrees in Applied Behavioral Analysis and Clinical Psychology and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C. She has engaged in therapy and assessments in several private and community-based agencies in the D.C. area, completed her predoctoral internship at Cleveland State University's Counseling Center, and her postdoctoral training here at Behavioral Wellness Group.
Favorite Quote
"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination." - Carl Rogers
Contact
Position:
Independently Licensed Clinical Psychologist;
Formal Psychological Testing Provider
Address:
8224 Mentor Ave, Suite 208
Mentor Ohio 44060
Email:
ekotkowski@behavioralwellnessgroup.com
Phone:
440-392-2222 EXT 415
Fax:
440-565-2349
Articles
Pressing the Pause Button: Managing Distress with Mindfulness
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we often find ourselves swept away by the currents of stress and anxiety. It can feel like we’re caught in a whirlwind in these moments, reacting instinctively rather than responding thoughtfully. However, there is a simple yet effective tool at our disposal: the power of pressing the pause button. By consciously choosing to pause, we can shift from a reactive state driven by our primal instincts to a more mindful approach rooted…
Winter 2024 Seasonal Letter
Best Wishes to you and yours as we enter the New Year! The Behavioral Wellness Group remains committed to you and the care of your clients in this New Year! Thanks to your ongoing confidence in us, BWG has increased our number of therapists and services in other states (see website above for details) to meet the demands of our clientele. Our programs are CARF Re-Accredited for the maximum allowable duration which is a testament to our commitment to meeting…
Becoming More of a Positive Person In Today’s World
We often hear about how we need to engage in physical exercise in order to be healthy. There are many options for physical exercise. We can do aerobic exercise to increase breathing and heart rate; there are anaerobic options which strengthen muscles; flexibility exercises stretch muscles and help keep us limber; balance exercises are very important to prevent falls, especially as we age. All of these activities strengthen and reprogram specific parts of the brain. However, how often do we…
Stress and Anxiety Management the DBT Way
Anxiety and stress appear to be the next pandemic. I see so many people who are anxious, overwhelmed, edgy, panicky, full of worry, and always tense. If any of these words describe you and leave you with a constant feeling of uneasiness to all-out panic, you could be suffering from poor stress management. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT was developed by Marsha Linehan in the 1970s. She had her own experiences with mental illness that perhaps gave her a unique…
Coping with Grief during the Holiday Season
“What am I going to do if something reminds me of Grandpa?” “Who is going to help me decorate the Christmas tree this year?” “I don’t have the energy or the desire to do the things I usually do during the holidays.” If you are someone who has lost a loved one, these may be some of the thoughts that are running through your mind. Although the holidays are usually associated with happiness, joy, smiles and laughter for most individuals,…
When Seasonal Changes Affect Your Moods
Seasonal Affective Disorder How does one distinguish between winter blues and more serious conditions? Many feel sluggish or down during Fall and Winter months. The winter blues are pretty common. If this sadness is profound, it may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression which results from decreased light during the darker Fall and Winter months. With decreased sunlight, our internal biological clocks are thrown off, and it feels as though everything is…