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
All or Nothing Thinking and Various Other Popular Cognitive Distortions
I was trying to think of a blog subject to write about this time for my blog. As I contemplated this, I noticed almost everyone in my Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Intensive Outpatient Group (IOP) was talking about their struggle to be perfect, or how they feel like failures if things are not exactly as they think they should be. I was hearing phrases like: All or nothing thinking, often called black and white thinking, can go hand in hand…
COVID update for the reopening of the office
The Behavioral Wellness Group will be returning to the physical office to begin seeing clients in person. This is for those clinicians and clients who prefer in-person sessions. A genuine thank you to all of you who tolerated our necessary move to virtual sessions during the pandemic. Below is a summary generally outlining what to expect upon our return. We will continue to see those who prefer to be seen virtually through our platform using Zoom. Of course, this is…
Self-Compassion: The Science of Kindness
As we say goodbye to 2020 and look ahead to 2021, we can all acknowledge it was a particularly trying year for our nation and the world. According to the American Psychological Association, the compounding stressors of 2020 yielded a national mental health crisis across generations. When situational and societal stressors build, we are left to try and find ways to manage. Some people may reach out to family, some may call upon friends, others may rely on mental health…
Bipolar Disorder (Supporting Your Loved Ones)
When your loved one is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, there may be a couple of questions that run through your mind. The first question, “What is Bipolar?” and the second question, “What is my role when things start to unravel?” Furthermore, for many people who have been diagnosed with this specific disorder, becoming fearful, confused, and having no concrete plan on how to manage the next episode can dominate one’s thoughts. These thoughts are not easily subsided as a result…
Teens, Entitlement and Instant Gratification
We live in a world where we want things done yesterday. Instant gratification. We have access to the internet via our phones. At any second we can catch up with the news, check our bank accounts, and send an email. We can purchase something and have it delivered within 2 days. We can check our children’s grades online at any time, book an appointment, do research instantly. A decade ago, this wasn’t the case. We used to have to go…