PRESS
Elizabeth has shared her wisdom in numerous publications. She has a gift for translating the struggle and pain of self growth that’s appeals to all. Check out these articles where Dr. Cohen is interviewed about her work.
How My Lifelong Anxiety Has Actually Helped Me Deal with the Coronavirus Panic
I’ve been described in many ways in my 20-something years but the funniest without a doubt has been “chill AF.” Why does that make me (and my friends and family) LOL? Because let me tell you, I am typically the furthest thing from chill you can find—which is probably why my current, relaxed demeanor seems even more uncharacteristic. We are in the middle of a global pandemic—I repeat, global pandemic—and yet, I don’t think I’ve ever felt…calmer. It’s not that I’m not nervous—don’t get me wrong, I very much am—but compared to the usual Elizabeth, mid-coronavirus outbreak-Elizabeth spends substantially less time worrying.
If You Have Anxiety & Depression But Feel Better During Coronavirus, You’re Not Alone
When the novel coronavirus lockdown first began in early March, Grace Weinstein noticed something strange. In the span of 48 hours, three people reached out to her because they’d experienced an anxiety or panic attack. Weinstein has a diagnosed panic disorder, in addition to anxiety and depression—so for her newly distressed friends, she was an obvious person to consult. But Weinstein herself has not had even one panic attack since the quarantines started. In fact, she’s been doing pretty well—so much so that she’s become a stabilizer for those around her.
Expert Interviews: Managing Your Emotions during Self-Isolation
In situations of uncertainty, what you focus on is crucial. Right now, there’s a lot of information out there, parts of which might calm you down or stress you out. It’s normal to not know exactly how to deal with these situations, yet it’s still important to manage your emotions and take care of your mind. Apart from the behaviors which you could implement now to help keep you on a schedule — such as working out, cooking, cleaning or learning — you can also be mindful about your emotions and your mental behaviors. To help you out on this journey of emotion management, we’ve asked experts to share with us some of their tips for managing stress and anxiety during this lock-down. Here’s what they told us >>
12 Of The Most Common Reasons For Divorce
Breaking up is hard to do, but divorce? That takes the cake. All kinds of things can lead to a split, from the token celebrity-cited “irreconcilable differences” to a messy affair, or the loss of anything remotely close to the spark you felt in the good old days. And often, the reason you cross the line from forever to never again traces back to your dating days. “Sometimes people want a divorce for the same reason they might have had doubts of going into the relationship,” Elizabeth Cohen, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New York says. “It’s usually the things that bothered you before, they just compounded over so long that you know it’s not going to change.”
How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During the Pandemic
The untold side effect of social distancing is that our mental health can take a beating. Staying away from our families and friends is not human nature, and having no end in sight can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and overwhelming stress. If you’re feeling out of sorts, you’re not alone. Here, experts share their best tips to relieve stress, cope with the new normal, stay connected while physically apart, and more.
The Love Experiment
There’s a holiday dedicated to it, a million poems about it, dozens of industries built around it, and no synonyms for it: love. The four-letter word refers to perhaps the most fundamental human need, the one Buddhist monks (some of the most selfless, grateful, and peaceful people ever to walk the earth) consider the secret to living a life full of joy—a life that makes you leap (okay, crawl) out of bed with a smile, even if everything around you is in shambles. This isn’t a bunch of woo. An overflowing bucket of research shows it’s the quality of your close, loving relationships—more than money, genes, or social class—that predicts long-term happiness, physical and mental health, even longevity.
8 Things Not To Say To A Friend Going Through A Breakup — And What To Say Instead
“Get some perspective,” a friend once yelled at me. We were at dinner and a bottle of wine in when I admitted I still missed my ex months after things ended with them. “At least you weren’t cheated on. Just think about that.” Instead of snapping out of my misery in some “aha!” moment she probably thought I needed, I finished my food quietly and went home to cry. Clinical psychologist Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D., says the most important thing to remember when helping a friend through a breakup is that our comments on people’s experiences are filtered through what we’ve personally gone through.
Where Are You on the CoParenting Journey?
When I found out my co-parent was going to have a child with his new wife, the first thing I did was ask my kids how they felt about it. I assumed that they would feel left out, replaced and pushed aside. They live with me primarily and their dad would now be living with his other child full time. I assumed they would feel sad and alone. I would often bring it up, as they will tell you, unskillfully. I wanted them to know that their mixed feelings about their new brother were completely understandable.
Ariana Grande’s Brain Scan Shows Her PTSD—But We Shouldn’t Need to See It to Believe It
Ariana Grande is constantly surpassing her own boundaries. She breaks her own records in the music industry, yes, but her triumph is set to the tune of a cultural consciousness. Last summer, the singer first spoke publicly about her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of a 2017 bombing at her concert in England, which claimed lives of 22 people. In the time since, Grande has shown courage and stamina by practicing mental health transparency with her fans.
When You Cut Your Parents Out of Your Life
“People I know have cut off ties when they notice how much their own child needs them emotionally and how important it is for them to be there for their kids,” says Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in New York City. “It can make you think about how little your father was there for you. A lot of parents, she says, can’t fathom treating their own children the way they were treated growing up. They think, Why did I deserve that?
The Best Empty Nest Advice for Parents Whose Kids Are Leaving the Coop
When the kids are grown and up and out of the house, you should feel a profound sense of accomplishment. After all, you did your job as a parent. But if, instead, you’re left with a feeling of grief or loneliness, you might be experiencing Empty Nest Syndrome. “Typically, the signs of depression apply to this syndrome,” says Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in New York City. “Crying a lot, not sleeping or not eating as much as usual. You might also notice that you’re constantly trying to reach out to your child and make sure you have contact with them all the time. This might be a sign that you’re not accepting the fact that they are truly away and the relationship has changed.”
The 32 Best Books About Depression—Whether You’re Struggling Or Not
Reading a book about depression might sound, well, a little dark. But if you’re struggling, it can actually help you feel less alone by showing you that other people have had similar experiences, even though it might feel like you’re the only one in the world who’s hurting—a symptom of depression called “social isolation,” says Elizabeth Cohen, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New York City.
Wear Your Worries
We’re calling it the new “retail therapy”— donning your mental health diagnosis for all to see (on a cute tote, hat, or necklace). Doing so might sound kind of scary, but “it’s a way of facing your fears or challenges head-on and practicing being vulnerable—something that typically keeps us from sharing our struggles in the first place,” explains Elizabeth Cohen, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New York City. Owning your mental health can help others too, inviting conversations on the topic and reminding people they are not alone.
How To Know When It’s Time To Leave Your Therapist
Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with is not always the easiest thing in the world, but neither is figuring out if it might be time to move on from your current practitioner. Especially if you’ve been working together for awhile, knowing how to tell if you’ve outgrown your therapist can be a challenge, but there are some key factors that might help you make the decision one way or another. “I love this question because I do not think it is asked or thought of enough in therapy circles,” Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D tells Bustle.
What Is Helicopter Parenting? Experts Say It’s Too Much For Kids
The term “helicopter parenting” comes from the notion that these parents “hover” over their children and then rescue them when needed. Unlike other parenting styles, helicopter parenting is not a philosophy that parents aspire to or join on purpose; it’s a descriptive term used to portray over-involved parents. Helicopter parenting has a few advantages, but mostly results in negative consequences for kids.
Millennials Are the Therapy Generation
People in their 20s and 30s seek mental-health help more often, and they are changing the nature of treatment. The stigma traditionally attached to psychotherapy has largely dissolved in the new generation of patients seeking treatment. Raised by parents who openly went to therapy themselves and who sent their children as well, today’s 20- and 30-somethings turn to therapy sooner and with fewer reservations than young people did in previous eras.
11 Summer First-Date Ideas That Don’t Involve Drinking
When it comes to dating, particularly first dates, “going out for a drink” is an easy go-to idea. However, if you don’t drink, there are still plenty of first-date ideas that don’t involve alcohol. After all, people have many reasons for not drinking: they’re sober, they’re on a health cleanse, they don’t like the taste of alcohol, etc. It’s a great way to see if you connect with someone based on their authentic personality alone, not one that’s been clouded with alcohol.
Signs Your Catastrophic Thinking Is Ruining Your Relationships
Your friend just declined your invite to go out for dinner, saying they’re not feeling well. You’re bummed, and understandably so: You wanted to catch up—not to mention your sushi craving is severe right now. Another thought comes to your head: You haven’t seen this friend in weeks. She declined the last time you invited, too, saying she had to stay late at work. Is this a pattern? Did you do something wrong? Oh no, she’s mad at me, you suddenly realize. She hates me.
Workplace Bullying Is a Dangerous Form of Abuse—Here’s What to Do About It
People who get picked on by office bullies tend to share a handful of traits, says Namie. They’re independent, highly skilled, and well-liked. They prioritize honesty and ethical behavior, and they are reluctant to play games. For whatever reason, they cause a manager or coworker with a bully personality to feel resentful or envious. But there isn’t a clear-cut explanation for why a bully decides it’s okay to lash out. Some get angry in their personal life, then take it out on a colleague at their office for an “intense quick release,” Elizabeth Cohen, PhD, a clinical psychologist in New York City, tells Health.
5 Ways To Create a Healthy Relationship With Technology, With Dr. Elizabeth Cohen
Between work and personal life, the average adult spends nearly 11 hours looking at a screen per day. How does our increasing screen time affect our mental, physical, and emotional health? – When we think about screen time we need to separate out the different behaviors that incorporate looking at a screen. Let’s start with the first one which is simply shifting our attention from one experience to the screen. This is an essential behavior to examine because as anyone who has ever been at a dinner with someone who suddenly pulls out their phone mid conversation knows, you can feel when someone shifts their attention.
What Is A Lawnmower Parent — And Are You One?
Just when I finally figured out what a helicopter parent is (read: those overprotective caregivers who swoop in every time their child has a problem), there’s a new term to describe that parent on the playground who you secretly hate: the “lawnmower parent.” Lawnmower parents are guilty of mowing down any and all challenges, conflicts or struggles their children might experience. These parents might, for example, reschedule their child’s exam or even send a note to their child’s teacher asking them to blow on their kid’s lunch if too hot. True story!
11 “Embarrassing” Things You Should Always Share With Your Partner
Getting to know your partner, and thus creating a better relationship, requires a healthy dose of honesty. And occasionally, that means sharing an embarrassing story or two. Whether it’s coming clean regarding an incident in your past, or turning to your SO with a current issue, letting them see the real you is super important. That’s not to say, however, that you need to tell each other everything. You should feel free to keep some private things private. But certain issues and topics need to be shared — especially if it’ll affect the two of you.
How to Avoid the Comparison Trap (And Increase Your Self-Esteem)
You’re scrolling through Instagram when you see your favorite #fitspo trainer posing with her gorgeous husband at their new house in the Hamptons. You scroll some more and see that a former co-worker just got a promotion at her new gig and is jetting off to Paris for work. Then you get together with a friend for brunch and she tells you all about her new boyfriend and major raise over avocado toast and matcha lattes. And you’re happy for all of them—really, you are. But for a split second (okay, maybe a little longer) you can’t help but wonder why you just got ghosted, can hardly afford your rent—let alone buy a place—and your job seems more like a dead end than a stepping stone to bigger and better. Ruh roh—you’ve fallen into the comparison trap.
I Had to Break Up With My Best Friend – Here’s How I Learned to Let Go
When I found out that one of my closest friends had shared very personal things I told her in confidence, I was shocked. How dare she make my private life so public? But maybe, in retrospect, I shouldn’t have been. After all, I had heard her share personal stories about other people. Why would I be any different? We never had a blowout fight—the kind that ends in tears and slammed doors and imperative sentences like “Never contact me again!” But my moment of enlightenment marked the end of our tight bond just the same. So what should you do if a friendship takes a turn? Do you talk it out? Send an email? Just…ghost?
8 Questions Therapists Ask To Diagnose Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is already confusing for those who suffer from it. The disease has no boundaries, affecting all spheres of a patient’s life—home, work, social, and more. Its extreme shifts in moods can cause a patient to act irrationally, react unpredictably, experience impaired judgment, and at other times, feel so down that they can’t get out of bed, reports the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). If a patient isn’t sleeping or is sleeping fewer hours than usual yet feels refreshed or energized, it might be a sign that they’re bipolar, says Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D., cognitive behavioral therapist.
11 Summer First-Date Ideas That Don’t Involve Drinking
When it comes to dating, particularly first dates, “going out for a drink” is an easy go-to idea. However, if you don’t drink, there are still plenty of first-date ideas that don’t involve alcohol. After all, people have many reasons for not drinking: they’re sober, they’re on a health cleanse, they don’t like the taste of alcohol, etc. It’s a great way to see if you connect with someone based on their authentic personality alone, not one that’s been clouded with alcohol. Yes, it takes some getting used to, but once you try going on alcohol-free dates, you’ll see the difference.
If You’re Doing These 11 Things At Night, It Could Be A Sign Of High-Functioning Anxiety
If you’re able to get through your day with relative ease, and only feel stressed and anxious once you get home at night, it might take you a while to recognize the signs of a high-functioning anxiety disorder. After all, you’re able to go to work, see a few friends, and maintain a healthy routine — all things someone with an anxiety disorder might struggle to do. But if your days end with you stressing out, lying awake, or ruminating on catastrophic thoughts, don’t brush it off.
13 Ways to Save Your Marriage From the Brink of Divorce, According to Marriage Counsellors
If you’re on the brink of a divorce, know two things. First, we’re sorry to hear that. The fracturing of a marriage or other close relationship is a hell of a thing. Second, we want to offer some help. Because, while it may seem futile, there’s always a chance to get your relationship back to where it once was. It just takes work (a lot of work) — and the right direction. That’s why we spoke out to an assortment of counselors, psychotherapists, authors, and consultants, all of whom have experience with couples at the DEFCON-1 level of relationship trouble, and asked them for the last-ditch advice they give those who are considering divorce. Here’s what they offered.
8 Healthier Tech Habits You Can Start Today
Each year, more studies are published confirming our reluctant suspicions that smartphone addiction is pervasive and damaging. Even when our phones aren’t going off, we still feel the vibrating rings in a condition called “phantom vibrations.” Receiving a constant feed of texts and notifications is so common that we’re developing separation anxiety… for smartphones. Our favorite and most convenient tech tools seem to have turned on us, but the antidote doesn’t have to be an absolute purge of screens. Introducing some moderation to your (and your family’s) tech consumption can steer you toward more meaningful relationships and less phantom vibrations.
9 Differences Between Accepting & Tolerating Your Partner
Regarding romantic relationships, you may accept certain traits about your partner while only tolerating others. Of course, it helps to understand the differences between accepting and tolerating your partner in order to make the differentiation. In a relationship, each person has certain wants and needs, and hopefully they match up more so than not. That said, some wants and needs will differ, and that’s when your attitude comes into play. “The difference between accepting and tolerating your partnerrelates to the emotion and thoughts underneath your behavior,” Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, clinical psychologist, tells Bustle. “Both tolerating and accepting behavior looks the same from the outside.”
15 Things People With Anxiety Shouldn’t Feel Ashamed To Do Behind Closed Doors
If you have a few habits caused by anxiety — things you might only do while home alone, such as talking to yourself, pacing around, or avoiding looking at your phone — know that you’re not the only one who has these quirks. And you’re definitely not “weird,” either. “People with anxiety constantly doubt their decisions,” clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Cohen tells Bustle. “They might make lists … of reasons to do something or not. Some people doubt themselves so much they never even make a decision.” Making a list can help you figure out what’s important to you, as you weigh the pros and cons of a big decision. But it also might just be a stress response.
Got Swiping Fatigue? ‘Slow Dating’ is for Busy People Who Want Real Connections
Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, a clinical psychologist, would likely praise Shabazz on her selectiveness and taking the time to get to know someone before sacrificing time on dates. It’s a confident attitude that every dater can learn from, and honestly, one I wish I’d embraced in my dating years. Before meeting my now husband on OkCupid, I went through dates with virtual strangers like a mad woman, desperate to show to myself and the world that I was dating, I was trying, I was “normal”.
We Asked a Doctor Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Depression
If you have never experienced depression, it can be hard to comprehend. And even if you have had overwhelming bouts of sadness, you may not realize that clinical depression is a whole other beast. Major depressive disorder is more than just feeling down or low sometimes, so what is depression? So we talked to clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D., who specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and runs Elizabeth Cohen and Associates in New York City, about the invisible condition.
7 Ways To Boost Your Energy That Are Way More Effective Than Coffee
“Our brains are Velcro for bad events and Teflon for good ones,” said Elizabeth Cohen, a New York-based clinical psychologist. “This is because it was evolutionarily advantageous to remember where pain was found, whereas remembering where you encountered joy was less essential for survival.” Nowadays not so much: When you’re perpetually stewing over what’s gone wrong (and worrying about what might go wrong next), it cues the body to release more stress hormones more often, which our bodies weren’t built to do, Cohen explained. Enter: burnout.
Warm up Your Mind
Mantra Maker. So you tripped walking into an interview. Ouch, but oh well! A little embarrassment is actually a good thing, as it makes you appear trustworthy (by proving you’re human), which in turn makes you feel accepted, research shows. But if you enter self-bashing territory, here are two tricks to pull out of it: Pretend you’re an observer—it’ll detach you from feeling like a victim, so you can be less self-conscious, per a new study. Or crack a joke (“That’s one way to make an impression!”), which lowers your stress response by faking confidence. Nothing wrong with a classic “You got this!” reminder, but for inspo that ignites action, piece together a quote that speaks to y-o-u. The perfect example, here.
13 Questions To Ask A Therapist To Help You Get Over Your Ex
While some breakups are easier to move past, others are harder to recover from. You may try various coping and self-care strategies, from seeing friends more to focusing on something you’ve been meaning to do, like hiking every morning before work. But if you keep trying to move on and just cannot, it may be time to talk to a therapist if you can’t get over your ex. After all, the loss of the ex may be deeper in your subconscious than you may realize.
Assume No More: 5 Questions to Help You Learn Someone’s Perspective
Even if you see yourself as non-judgemental, psychologist Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D. tells Shine it’s human nature to let your own life get in the way of understanding someone else’s situation. “Asking questions is essential to understanding how another person is feeling,” Cohen says. “The majority of our interactions are based on assumptions rather that facts. This is problematic because assumptions are based on our personal feelings at that moment.”
Mastering Small Talk
Small talk has a bad reputation for being superficial—so much so that some people avoid it at all costs. But if you can make small talk meaningful and genuine (read: not about the weather) it can be the starting ground for a new relationship, and maybe even a meaningful professional contact.
Six Common Myths About Depression Busted By Therapists
You, or someone close to you, is affected by depression—I’d put money on it. Far from being a condition you only see depicted in tear-jerking movies or read about in heavy books, depression is widespread: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) estimates one in 15 adults each year suffers from depression and one in six people will experience it during their lifetime. Someone you love may be struggling with it, or you yourself may have overlooked the signs. But while it may be common, mental illness still carries a stigma, which means there are plenty of widely believed misconceptions that are harmful for sufferers.
When Is The Right Time To See A Therapist
It’s strange for me to think there was once a time in my life when I was resistant to going to therapy. I used to scoff at the very notion of lying back on the ol’ therapist couch. But after being in therapy for a few years now, it’s so clear to me how beneficial it really is, and it’s pretty shocking that it took me so long to realize that.
How To Train Your Brain For Better Dates – And Sex
If things aren’t working out in your love life, maybe it’s about time you saw a doctor. An Upper West Side psychologist is using a special kind of therapy to help her clients take charge of their bad dating habits and find love.
Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D., has been using cognitive behavioral therapy with her clients for 15 years. The therapy, which is more broadly used to treat anxiety-related issues, identifies a patient’s more destructive thoughts, assumptions and behaviors and, with the help of the therapist, corrects them.
