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
Improving Your Well-Being: Positive Psychology and The PERMA Model
Positive psychology, despite what many think, is not about trying to rid your life of stressors. Positive psychology acknowledges that life can be stressful at times but seeks to improve well-being and build resilience to better manage the stressors of life. Simply put, positive psychology is the study of what makes a life worth living! Positive psychology focuses in on your strengths, instead of weaknesses, as well as building a good life and moving people from merely surviving, to thriving….
The Bloodline Divorce: What is it? Why Does it Happen? – How to Cope
Family estrangement, simply put, is a loss or a termination of a relationship that previously existed between family members. An estrangement can occur between two people or multiple family members. An estrangement can occur between a parent and a child, sibling to sibling, a child to a parent or grandparent, or any combination you can imagine. Family estrangements can occur at any age. Estrangements in young adults are most common, however, as this is when a person is more financially…
Navigating End of Semester Stress
“Ugh, I have so many final exams to study for. I have to pack for winter break too and still maintain taking care of my health”. This is often one of the many thoughts college students experience as the end of the semester approaches. The words “finals week” and “stress” are almost always used in the same sentence during this tough time of the semester. Although there are many stressors among college students such as finances, living on their own…
“I WAS TRYING TO ACT NORMAL…”
I heard this piece of a conversation between two friends as I jogged by them in the park the other day, “I was trying to act normal…” Then I passed them but not without being prompted to consider what that really means. So many of us appear “normal” or even beautiful, talented and rich such as the late Kate Spade. Yet many of us struggle with fitting in, appearing normal or masking our struggles. I facilitate the mental health, Dialectical…
Ten DBT Techniques for Anxiety
Anxiety can be divided into two basic areas, as first discussed by Sigmund Freud “Appropriate and Inappropriate Stress”. Anxiety can occur over situations or threats that occur and cause our brain to go into “Fight or Flight” syndrome. This is when the sympathetic or limbic system becomes aroused and creates many symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, nervous feelings, panic feeling, sweating, shortness of breath, and many other well-known symptoms. This can also occur when a situation is a real threat…
Annual IOP Statistics Summary 2022
AREAS OF STRENGTH: • 100% of reviewed charts had ROI’s filled out and signed. This is an increase from 2021.• 100% of reviewed files had family involvement from start to finish or family involvement was offered to the IOP participant.• Overall, the total average of Quality-of-Life Scores was 3.6, meeting the goal of 3.6. This has been maintained from 2021.• Noticeably Improved Depression (53%) and Anxiety (51%) scores on average across all IOPs on empirically based measures. This is an…